In the space between now and the time when the original
Little Nightmares released, 2D puzzle-platformers with a dark and dour edge
have strangely only soared in popularity. However, while Playdead titles Limbo
and Inside may have kickstarted the genre, Tarsier Studios’ take has equally connected
with players craving some bite-sized scares, finding room to provide its own
spin. As a sequel, Little Nightmares 2 is more of an extension of the ideas, themes
and concepts previously laid down in the original rather than a bold new
direction, yet its also a more polished experience, one with a much broader,
more varied set of environments and plenty more creepy nooks to explore.
The big change in Little Nightmares 2 is that you’re no
longer playing as Six, though the yellow-coated protagonist from the first game
does play a vital role. Instead you’re placed in the shoes of Mono, another diminutive
child forced to navigate this weird and oppressive world littered with
clay-like giants, solving puzzles, and looking for a way to escape. Mono plays
near identically to Six, for the most part, aside from his inability to always
light the way. Even this, however, makes for some interesting puzzle designs,
which more often than not is a combination of moving items, unlocking doors,
and evading the eyes of your pursuers.
We can help but feel like a more appropriate title would
have been ‘Bigger Little Nightmares’, as the increased scope works wonders in
terms of expanding the lore of this warped world far beyond the walls of the
Maw. Damp city streets, eerily dense forests and an oversized school are just
some of the locations Mono and Six must venture through together, with each presenting
their own flurry of fiendish obstacles and thrilling chase sequences. Almost
every setting introduces a new quirk to puzzles and exploration not seen in the
last, shaking up the platforming formula just enough to keep you engaged. The
abstract approach to storytelling also succeeds in doing this.
Having an AI-controlled partner by your side in Six is a
small tweak from the first game, but forces you to think very differently about
possible puzzle solutions. A good example of this comes early on as the pair
explores a lakeside shanty house. Here Mono is tasked with getting a key
hanging from the ceiling above, yet initially it’s too far out of reach.
Luckily, Six is smart enough to hoist you up closer to it using a lever you’ve
just discovered from the next room, allowing you to grab the key before taking
Six by the hand and escaping.
Little Nightmares 2 eventually expands upon this concept by
sometimes seeing the two separate and introducing new tools for the duo to use.
The decision to have Six by your side runs much deeper, though, as at times it’s
her actions and movements that can be key to finding the next puzzle solution. On
various occasions when I was unsure what items to interact with or where to go
next, calling for Six or simply watching her movements pointed me in the right
direction. It’s a clever way to subtly pay respect to the character’s traumatic
experiences from the first game, all while justifying the choice to have the
sequel stay a single-player adventure despite this inherently co-operative inspired
mechanic.
Mono and Six’s journey is primarily linear, as you’d expect,
though encouraging you to venture off the beaten path and seek out hidden
pathways are two collectible types. The first are glitched shadows of former
children, which are usually found in a setting that tells you something new
about how this abstract world operates. The second, meanwhile, are masks for
Mono to wear. There are 10 or so to find and collect in total, and while none
bestow the little critter with extra powers that drastically affect gameplay, this
added personalisation is a nice touch and gives you further reason to explore.
Having proven their skill in the 2017 original, there wasn’t
a question whether Tarsier Studios would succeed in putting you on edge through
its visuals. However, equally impressive in Little Nightmares 2 is the sound
design, which here is been stepped up considerably. Everything from crackling TVs,
children’s laughter and the low bass thumps of whatever morbid creature lies in
the next room all maintain a creepy edge while echoing around environments. And
it’s all these different soundscapes used variedly that sees Mono and Six’s
adventure play best – as with most horror-tinged games – when using a good set
of headphones. At times it can even be vital, as an audio-reliant puzzle towards
the game’s end swiftly proves.
For just how well Little Nightmares 2 improves and expands on
its predecessor, however, there are a few elements primed to annoy even the most
patient of players. Chase sequences, in which Mono and Six must speedily outrun
a pursuer from one side of the screen to the other, are a major culprit for
this, seeing as there’s just no way of knowing what kinds of platforming obstacles
are coming up when you’re sprinting at full speed. The result? Instantly dying
during the heat of tense moments. Generally, Tarsier has done an okay job in
given you ample time to react to most, but there are still a few running
sections laced in where it seems almost impossible to complete first time
without dying.
Then there are the instances where you know exactly how to
proceed with a stealth sequence or puzzle, but for whatever reason Mono refuses
to comply. The first game was notorious for having Six repeatedly fall of
balance beams, for example, and while there’s nothing quite that egregious in Little
Nightmares 2, sometimes just the act of jumping and grabbing seems more
troublesome than it perhaps should. Your depth perception between the
foreground and background needs to be spot on.
Luckily, subtle improvements like no longer having to carry
keys in your hands and much quicker load times makes for a smoother horror
experience overall. It’s just a shame that a few of these mechanical problems
still persist. The game being so short and linear only amplifies a lot of these,
so it’s important to get right. A good example of tension where players don’t
lose control are in the brief combat moments, where you as Mono must time your
slams precisely so that your enemy gets hit. When I fail these it’s because of
my own impatience, as opposed to when I miss a jump or crash into a
fast-approaching obstacle unfairly.
Even still, certain instant-fail woes aside, Little
Nightmares 2 is the perfect sequel in many ways. It cleverly manages to expand
a universe that was already considered creepy, placing you in several
pulse-racing scenarios where Mono and Six must work together to overcome. The
abstract story may not be for everyone, but just enough narrative beats are littered
in to always encourage you to press on. This, combined with unsettling sound
design and a suite of new eerie environments to explore, helps make Little
Nightmares 2 a clever advancement on the dark 2D platforming formula.
