Horror-platforming sequel Little Nightmares 2 received an official 15-minute gameplay snippet from Tarsier Studios, continuing Six’s adventure from the perspective of a new character.
In its demo, players became Mono, a boy with a paper bag mask on a mysterious mission outside of the Maw. After navigating a dark forest and moving past traps, he also solved puzzles to help him continue. Like the original game, Little Nightmares 2 contains some unexpected running segments where players need to sprint and jump for their lives. But even though players from the first game escaped the Maw, bigger threats wait for Mono and Six in other places inhabited by giant, cannibalistic people. The demo showed off the Hunter, a shotgun-wielding enemy who sets traps for players.
Interestingly, the Little Nightmares 2 demo shows the player dying to encourage trial-and-error problem solving. Unlike the first game’s lack of frequent checkpoints, the sequel puts players back to recent obstacles for quicker completion. This was seen after Mono was snared by a trap, only to respawn moments later and use the environment around him to spring it before moving on. Mono then climbs into the home of the Hunter, where he finds Little Nightmares protagonist Six trapped in the basement. After freeing her with a nearby axe to the wall, she quickly runs out before becoming a companion for the rest of the game (This time, Six is without her signature yellow raincoat).
Little Nightmares 2 then uses the companionship for teamwork across a new set of puzzles along their journey. The demo showed Mono getting a boost to lift down switches for doors and other secret openings. But tensions rise up as a dropped ladder alerts The Hunter, whose footsteps get louder to tell players to get out of there. Both also have to use their strengths to push heavy objects and use them as platforms to escape. While Six cn take care of herself as an NPC, players as Mono still have to solve another puzzle in reuniting with her. These include finding ladders for her to use or giving her switches for safe passage (before she is captured or killed by incoming enemies).
The demo also gives viewers more lore behind the still-mysterious universe in Little Nightmares 2. Mono and Six travelled through a decrepit house, which used to be hosted by a now-decaying family at the dinner table. This sheds some light into an apocalyptic world in which humanity is divided into large, well-fed and resourced creatures and smaller but craftier survivors. Both Six and Mono are suggested to be children of the latter as they survive in this world.
Building from the first game’s stealth mechanic, players also have to be quiet behind larger enemies. But this sneaky plan is short-lived as Mono and Six take cover behind a shotgun. For the Hunter, players have to find cover as much as possible and take advantage of the game’s 2.5D mechanic to dodge one-hit shells. Players can also hide under canyons to escape the Hunter’s searchlight while Six can guide players in scripted moments. A new feature comes in holding Six’s hand as Mono guides her past enemies in tall grass. The pair also move slower, requiring players to plan out their escapes.
Little Nightmares 2 releases for PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and the next-gen PS5 and Xbox Series X sometime in February 2021.
