Tarsier Studios, known for the eerie and distinct ambiance of Little Nightmares, is now venturing into fresh territory with their latest creation, Reanimal. While they have moved on from the Little Nightmares intellectual property, Reanimal retains a certain visual familiarity, yet teases an experience far more intense and chilling than its predecessor.
One might struggle to conceive a scenario where Little Nightmares could become even more foreboding, yet Reanimal boldly steps into that realm. Tarsier Studios has hinted on their official Steam page that Reanimal is “a more terrifying journey than ever before,” and from what we’ve glimpsed in the trailer, that seems spot on. The game follows the gripping adventure of two orphans on a daring quest to find their lost friends. Though the essence of Little Nightmares is present, Tarsier is focused on distinguishing Reanimal as its own entity. However, if they wish for it to truly stand on its own two feet apart from Little Nightmares, perhaps a bit more gestation time would serve it well.
Little Nightmares 3 is slated for a 2025 release, but Reanimal’s debut remains a mystery. Even though Tarsier Studios has passed the Little Nightmares torch to another team, Bandai Namco, the publisher, is not pausing the franchise. Supermassive Games is assigned to breathe life into the third installment, targeting a 2025 release after a prior delay. This timeline could place Little Nightmares 3 in direct competition with Reanimal.
Interestingly, both games feature cooperative gameplay with dual protagonists, but Reanimal may benefit from steering clear of Little Nightmares 3’s launch window. Although details on Reanimal’s release are scarce as Tarsier has yet to confirm a set date, continuation from last year’s announcement suggests it might premiere sooner rather than later. They might be tempted to compete head-on, but given Little Nightmares’ established reputation, Reanimal must first carve out its own identity in gamers’ minds.
The outcome for Little Nightmares 3 under the helm of new developers is still uncertain. Supermassive Games is recognized for its talents, but matching the unique tone of Little Nightmares is a formidable task. A successful release could spark greater interest in Reanimal. Conversely, should the third entry fall short for fans, Reanimal would then be perfectly poised to capture their intrigue.
Reanimal is slated to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, and 2025 is shaping up to be an intensely competitive year with anticipated heavy-hitters such as GTA 6, Ghost of Yotei, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. For Reanimal, steering clear of a crowded launch period and opting for a strategic release might prove more rewarding in the long haul.
The dense landscape of 2025’s game releases could overshadow Reanimal if it decides to launch at that time. Reanimal appears to offer a uniquely immersive and dark narrative, which could easily get lost amidst the noise of larger titles. It would be a shame for its potential to not receive the spotlight it deserves due to timing. Only future decisions by Tarsier Studios regarding its release can determine Reanimal’s destiny against looming competition.
