Tarsier Studios, the Malmö-based developer behind Little Nightmares and Little Nightmares II, is returning with a new horror-adventure title called Reanimal. While the game shares some DNA with the studio’s previous work, it introduces several key changes in gameplay, tone, and narrative structure. Players once again control child protagonists navigating unsettling environments, but the shift to fully 3D exploration and a cooperative gameplay focus sets it apart from its predecessors.
A Shift from 2.5D to 3D Worlds
Unlike Little Nightmares, which used a 2.5D perspective with occasional 3D movement, Reanimal is fully three-dimensional. From the opening sequence, players take control of a boy navigating a small boat, immediately signaling a more open spatial experience. Early in the game, he rescues a girl wearing a rabbit mask, and the two are revealed to be siblings. Unlike previous games where environments were deliberately oversized, Reanimal presents spaces scaled to the characters, making doors, fences, and objects feel proportionate and realistic.
The difference in perspective is more than visual. Johnsson emphasized that while the game may appear similar at first glance, the player experience is distinct. The fully 3D design allows for new exploration mechanics and storytelling techniques that were not possible in the 2.5D framework of Little Nightmares.
Designed Around Shared Experiences
Central to Reanimal is its cooperative gameplay. While Little Nightmares II included a secondary character, it was AI-controlled. In Reanimal, both siblings can be controlled by players, either locally or online. The game uses a dynamic shared camera system that keeps both characters on-screen, with the camera pulling back to maintain both in view. Moving too far apart can result in failure, reinforcing the importance of cooperation and shared decision-making.
Johnsson compared this approach to the experience of watching a horror movie with a friend, where reactions are amplified by shared tension. The cooperative mechanics extend to puzzles and exploration, with environmental cues encouraging players to stay together. The game can still be played solo, with the second sibling following under AI control, ensuring that the core gameplay experience remains consistent regardless of player mode.
A More Realistic Approach to Horror
Tarsier Studios has shifted the tone of Reanimal away from the stylized, Burtonesque feel of its previous games toward a more grounded and realistic interpretation of childhood trauma. Mervik explained that the environments are designed to feel like the aftermath of traumatic events rather than exaggerated recollections of adult figures. Early trailers suggest locations such as abandoned theaters and derelict battleships, which the siblings must navigate while attempting to rescue missing friends.
The game uses its boat sequences not only for navigation but as a narrative tool, allowing characters to communicate without interrupting gameplay. This approach replaces intrusive voiceovers and cutscenes, offering naturalistic dialogue that reflects how children actually speak. Mervik noted that minimal dialogue is more effective in maintaining immersion, avoiding the overly articulate exchanges often found in cinematic storytelling.
Co-Op Mechanics and Player Interaction
The shared camera system is designed to encourage collaboration without imposing rigid controls. Players learn quickly that progressing requires staying close to their partner, whether solving puzzles or evading threats. The system also works for online co-op with strangers, using subtle in-game mechanics to guide players together. Tarsier observed that this approach quickly taught players to recalibrate their behavior, emphasizing teamwork over independent exploration.
Although co-op is a focus, single-player mode remains fully supported. The AI companion mimics the player-controlled sibling’s behavior without solving challenges on its own. This balance allows for the game’s puzzles and narrative moments to work in either mode without compromising the intended tension or story flow.
Giving Children a Voice
For the first time in a Tarsier title, the protagonists speak with minimal voice acting. Mervik explained that children rarely speak in full, polished sentences, and the studio sought to reflect this in Reanimal. By keeping dialogue sparse, the game preserves immersion while enhancing the sense of realism. Cultural influences from Sweden also informed this choice, emphasizing concise communication to make each spoken word feel meaningful.
The inclusion of dialogue serves both narrative and emotional purposes. In a world that often feels hopeless, allowing children to speak provides a sense of hope and agency, underscoring the resilience of the characters in the face of danger.
Release and Availability
Reanimal is scheduled for release on the Epic Games Store on February 13, 2026. The game represents a deliberate evolution of Tarsier Studios’ approach to horror-adventure, combining full 3D gameplay, cooperative mechanics, realistic environments, and minimal dialogue to create a shared, immersive experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What platforms will Reanimal be available on?
Reanimal will launch on the Epic Games Store for PC on February 13, 2026.
Can Reanimal be played solo?
Yes, the game can be played solo. The second sibling follows under AI control, with puzzles and gameplay designed to work in both solo and co-op modes.
Does Reanimal support online co-op?
Yes, the game supports both local and online co-op. A dynamic shared camera ensures both players remain on-screen, encouraging cooperation and teamwork.
How is Reanimal different from Little Nightmares?
Unlike Little Nightmares, Reanimal is fully 3D, features sibling protagonists with voiced dialogue, and is designed around cooperative gameplay rather than single-player puzzle-solving. Environments are more realistically scaled, and the story focuses on trauma and survival.
Is the dialogue optional or continuous?
Dialogue is minimal and naturalistic, designed to support the story without interrupting gameplay. Players can focus on exploration and action while the siblings communicate naturally during sequences such as boat travel.
What kind of environments will players explore?
Early trailers show locations such as abandoned theaters and derelict battleships. Players will travel between islands, exploring realistic and atmospheric settings shaped by trauma.
Does Reanimal include puzzles?
Yes, the game features puzzles, but the focus is primarily on survival, exploration, and cooperative play. The AI companion does not solve puzzles automatically, ensuring consistent gameplay for solo or co-op sessions.
Will Reanimal have horror elements?
Yes, the game maintains a horror-adventure focus, with tense moments, threatening environments, and a narrative that explores the aftermath of traumatic experiences.
