Reanimal Reviews
If you’re looking for a horror experience that’s atmospheric, unsettling, and visually unforgettable, Reanimal is well worth the trip—just don’t be surprised if it leaves you feeling uneasy long after you put the controller down.
REANIMAL is a triumph of aesthetics over substance. Tarsier Studios proves they remain the masters of 'vibes' and picturesque horror, yet by expanding the scope, they deliver a vast world where freedom is an illusion, and the gameplay settles into a ‘running sim’ that grows in scale but struggles to evolve its core ideas.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
REANIMAL far exceeded my expectations, even outdoing the original Little Nightmares with its mature themes, twists on the formula, and genuinely tense and scary gameplay. The original creators of Little Nightmares prove they’ve still got it, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next.
REANIMAL stands tall as a bold, well-crafted, and genuinely lovable experience. In a landscape dominated by massive AAA releases, it carves out its own space and demands your attention. And if this is any indication, 2026 is shaping up to be a seriously exciting year for games.
Reanimal is a bleak, atmospheric adventure that feels like a confident evolution of Tarsier Studios’ signature horror design, blending environmental storytelling, light dialogue, and tense stealth into a more exploratory, hub-driven structure. Whether played solo or in co-op, its unsettling world, deliberate pacing, and smart use of items slowly cohere into a haunting experience that rewards patience and attention, even if the lead's bad luck can be exhausting.
Taking cues from Playdead’s scant yet genre-defining pair of titles and Tarsier’s most famous series, Reanimal’s premise of throwing children into hazardous scenarios within strange lands seems initially like a retread of genre classics. This foundation gives it a recognizable base that it leverages to its advantage quite well.
Reanimal stands out as a serious horror highlight, tying a bleak, personal story to tense 3D platforming and a dark presentation that never lets up. The campaign is tight and deliberate, and perfect for playing with friends through couch co-op or online using the free Friend Pass.
REANIMAL is a dark, grotesque co-op adventure and Tarsier Studios’s best to date. This is a masterclass in environmental storytelling and tension-building in horror; a cohesive and undeniably unsettling videogame, and one of the best games you’ll play this year.
Reanimal represents a natural evolution of Tarsier Studios’ talent, delivering an atmospheric, mature, and memorable horror experience. Its refined art direction, precise sound design, and carefully crafted tension stand out as its greatest strengths. The fragmented narrative, combined with a powerful and impactful story, lingers in the player’s mind long after the journey comes to an end.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
REANIMAL isn't a big change from what Tarsier Studios has always done, but it is a bold step forward. It’s not as soft as other works, more like a fairy tale, and has a meaner, more emotional tone. The switch to full 3D allows for more exploration while keeping the tense atmosphere that marks the studio's style.
Reanimal is worth it if you're looking for a bite-sized horror experience that's best shared with a friend. The story is gripping, and while it leads to a perhaps not too satisfying conclusion, the journey more than makes up for it.
Despite its short length and the fact that some ideas weren't fully explored, the game's diverse gameplay, intriguing narrative, and stunning visual and sound design make it an unforgettable experience for horror fans, especially those who want to play with a friend. If you're a fan of Little Nightmares or looking for a different kind of cooperative horror experience, REANIMAL is definitely worth trying.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
REANIMAL is a great step in the right direction for Tarsier’s portfolio, with all the improvements there are still some problems with its execution.
REANIMAL, while not perfect, does an excellent job of building on what Tarsier does best—portraying childhood fears as their most intense expressions.
Reanimal solidifies Tarsier Studios' identity with a grittier and more consistently tense approach. While its mechanics may feel somewhat repetitive, its audiovisual presentation and atmospheric design make it a disturbing and coherent experience. It doesn't reinvent the horror genre, but it executes it with a distinctive style.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Reanimal feels like Tarsier perfecting a style they clearly understand inside and out. It delivers unforgettable creature designs, haunting environments, solid puzzles, and a tone that lingers long after you put the controller down. Yes, it is short. Yes, the price makes it a slightly harder sell. But it is also a fantastic game that horror fans, especially those who loved Tarsier’s previous work, should not miss. Reanimal may not give you all the answers, but it will give you moments you will not forget anytime soon.
Reanimal will feel familiar if you’ve played Little Nightmares or Little Nightmares II, but the shift into fully 3D spaces changes how you explore and move forward. You’re still relying on observation, using light to find paths, and working together to solve puzzles, but there’s more freedom in how you approach each area. If you liked how Little Nightmares made you pay attention to your surroundings instead of guiding you directly, Reanimal builds on that while giving you more room to explore and figure things out yourself.
Reanimal delivers strong atmosphere and deliciously macabre visuals, but its short runtime (2–4 hours) and steep £35 price make it difficult to recommend at full cost.
Reanimal is both beautiful and horrifying, carving out a unique identity. The blend of co-op mechanics and atmospheric storytelling mixed with nightmarish creature design creates an experience you won't soon forget. Despite playing solo, I enjoyed my time with Reanimal but felt I would've appreciated the gameplay much more with someone I know to help me navigate the island. Ultimately, Tarsier's penchant for telling bone-chilling horror stories is why they continue to make a lasting impression.