Reanimal Reviews
Reanimal is Tarsier Studios at its darkest and most uncompromising. This is not a continuation of Little Nightmares, but a bolder, more disturbing evolution that proves Tarsier is fully unleashed.
A haunting, surreal and disturbing journey that sticks with you long after the credits roll
Reanimal once again proves, if proof were even necessary, the strong authorial identity of a development studio finally unleashed, free to express itself without softening or diluting its vision. Reanimal is an auteur horror experience: deeply cryptic and not easy to decode, yet a bold and genuinely rare work within its genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
REANIMAL is a fantastic co-op game for the Nintendo Switch 2, running at 60 fps most of the time. The simple, minimalistic controls make it a breeze to play with Joy-Cons shared between two players. It’s also an excellent gateway horror game for kids to get into since it’s easy to pick up and play and feels responsive as hell.
It feels like we've been waiting for it for a long time, but Little Nightmares dev Tarsier Studios has finally delivered its next game. Unsurprisingly, Reanimal feels very much like Little Nightmares in all but name. While it doesn't have the strongest narrative, stellar visuals, an eerie atmosphere and excellent environmental puzzles all more than make up for it.
REANIMAL on Nintendo Switch 2 marks a striking reinvention for Tarsier Studios, taking the studio’s talent for intimate horror and expanding it into a richer, more confident adventure. Tight controls, a smartly reactive camera and impressive AI make every escape and puzzle feel fair, while the island’s layered design blends openness with subtle guidance to create a world that rewards curiosity without losing momentum. It’s a bold step beyond the Little Nightmares formula and a clear statement of what Tarsier can achieve on its own terms.
It's neither punishing nor oppressively surreal, offering nothing that hasn't been done before better and quirkier. Atmosphere can only go so far I'm afraid.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Reanimal delivers a tense, visually striking survival-horror experience in the vein of Little Nightmares. Its cooperative gameplay, claustrophobic levels, and subtle storytelling keep players on edge, while hidden collectibles extend the 6'8 hour runtime. Though it doesn't reinvent the wheel, it refines the series' formula with style and atmosphere.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
REANIMAL represents a visceral and larger-scale evolution of the formula established by Tarsier Studios in Little Nightmares. While the title disappoints due to its brevity, it shines through its world design, which utilizes visual communication to guide the player organically through an intriguing horror universe. The experience is further elevated by an exemplary cooperative mode, featuring accessible options like Friend's Pass and local co-op.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
REANIMAL isn't just a great horror game: it's the kind of experience that lingers, hitting as hard as Little Nightmares, maybe even harder. It signals the start of a new chapter: a darker, more unsettling tale that masterfully confronts a truth we all recognize: no one outruns their fate… though that won't stop you from trying.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Reanimal is the definitive consecration of Tarsier Studios as the masters of atmospheric horror, surpassing the legacy of Little Nightmares through visceral art and cooperative gameplay that is as entertaining as it is suffocating. Although its puzzles are somewhat conventional, its masterful use of the camera and nightmarish aesthetics make it much more than a spiritual successor. We'll talk about it again at the end of the year.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Reanimal isn’t Little Nightmares 3, though if it had been named that, no one would have been shocked. Despite the new title suggesting a break from the past, Tarsier Studios clearly builds on the path established under Bandai Namco. It’s a coherent evolution of their previous work: nothing is reinvented, but everything is refined and expanded with confidence. This isn’t a radical reboot—just the natural progression of a formula that has become the studio’s signature. If you loved Six and Mono, Reanimal is unlikely to disappoint.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In my review of Reanimal, I evaluate this experience, which stands out for its dark atmosphere, psychological tension, and grotesque design, in all its aspects: gameplay, story, and technical performance.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Tarsier Studios masterfully replicates their signature dread, bolstered by a welcome co-op focus and grotesque art direction. However, the puzzles lack teeth and the blueprint feels increasingly familiar. It's a polished, if slightly repetitive, descent into atmospheric horror that proves two orphans are better than one.
Reanimal goes far beyond being just an inspiration from The Little Nightmares. Developed by Tarsier Studios, the project shows a clear sense of identity and the confidence to explore new ideas. Instead of simply repeating mechanics that worked in the past, the studio expands its formula by introducing combat and building a brand new universe with its own tone and personality. The result is an experience that respects its roots while carving out a distinct path, with enough strength and originality to stand on its own and potentially grow into a franchise just as memorable as the one that inspired it.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Tarsier's most ambitious and grand horror-adventure yet is a thrilling, baffling ride that will have you fully invested - for as long as it lasts.
Reanimal feels like a deliberate evolution rather than a spiritual sequel. It abandons the safety net of stylized grotesque horror and embraces something harsher and more intimate. The result is a game that feels confident in its darkness and uninterested in softening its edges for accessibility. I'm not sure Reanimal fully surpasses Little Nightmares 2 as an overall experience, but it certainly matches it in every meaningful way.
If you are a fan of Little Nightmares, you will most likely love Reanimal as well. Whilst it rarely breaks the formula, delivering a fairly predictable gameplay loop, yet a wildly creative horror experience that had me hooked from the moment I hit play to the end credits. In the end, I was hoping for just a little bit more.
REANIMAL doesn’t give us all the answers by the time the credits roll. There’s no comforting closure here – it’s a game and a world that lingers. I have so many unanswered questions, so many theories. Tarsier Studios have taken their signature DNA and refined it – it’s not perfect, but it’s a sharp, confident experience.
Quote not yet available
Review in German | Read full review