Little Nightmares 3, before launch, had immense hype and anticipation behind it. However, the game failed to receive an overwhelmingly positive reception from both critics and fans. It launched to nearly 23,000 players on Steam, but the reviews have been mixed.
Fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the game’s extremely short length. There are also several other issues, including a lack of innovation and concerns regarding the co-op mode, which I will discuss shortly.
If you want to see the concerns that the fandom has highlighted, you can head over to its Steam Page.
Table of contents
Overpriced And Underwhelming
The game features only four chapters and takes around 4 to 5 hours to complete. Even if you aim for all the achievements, it should not take more than eight hours to finish. However, most of the fandom is unlikely to go for 100 percent completion, as that is not everyone’s cup of tea.
So, do you think a game that is only 4 to 5 hours long and has multiple issues is worth 40 dollars? It could be even more expensive in other regions. There was a pre-order discount that added some bonus items to the base game, but that is no longer available. It is also worth noting that the DLC must be purchased separately, which costs an additional $15.
1000% not worth the price… and honestly I don’t even think I’d pay £15 looking back.
– Steam Review
An indie game costing this much while offering so little content just does not make much sense, at least to me. The fandom has also voiced major concerns about the price tag, as many were expecting a playtime of at least 10 to 12 hours before release. I am well aware that the previous games in the franchise were not very long either, but people expected something different from this one.
Little Nightmares is no longer a small franchise. It has grown into one of the main horror series in gaming, which is a major achievement. Because of that, this third installment should have been something special. Instead, it feels underwhelming and overpriced, which is a major red flag. I am not the only one with this concern; the majority of negative reviews on Steam mention this as one of their main issues.
No reason for this game to be $40 :/ Very little content. I beat the game in 6 hours real time, and this included me going to the store and making a quick dinner.
– Another Steam Review
The developers simply cannot justify charging $40 for the base game while offering only five hours of content. This further makes it hard to justify asking for another 15 dollars for the DLC.
Co-Op Is An Excellent Addition, But Why No Couch Co-Op?
Co-op is a great addition and I liked it, I really did. Most games become more fun when you play them with your loved ones, and Little Nightmares 3 is no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed this particular mechanic, but why was there no couch co-op? Why can’t we play with other people who have also bought the game?
You can only play with your friend via the Friend’s Pass, which is another great addition since your friend would not have to buy the game. However, if the developers decided to implement co-op, they should have also included couch co-op.
To make things worse, there is no crossplay. This has become common in the industry, but it should not be. If I want to play with a friend who has a PS5 and I am on a PC or Xbox, we cannot play together. No one is going to change their entire setup just to play a game that only lasts five hours.
The Lack Of Innovation In Little Nightmares 3 Is A Serious Problem
One of the most common criticisms I have seen, along with the higher price tag, is the lack of innovation. I also think the game does not feature a lot of innovation, and that is a serious problem. A sequel can feel somewhat similar to previous entries, but feeling too similar makes it seem like the developers were lazy.
It does not evolve much or expand beyond the same foundation. The core gameplay is too similar, which I can give a pass to, but the rest, no. The puzzles were extremely underwhelming. There was not a single one that took me more than 2 to 3 minutes to solve.
I know every game does not need to be hard, but this shows that the developers did not put extra thought into the design. The environment is gorgeous, and there is an eerie feeling that can be sensed. However, the co-op dials it down.
I have noticed that while both characters are important to the gameplay, in many sections, the second one feels like a tag-along partner, especially if you are playing as Low. Fans, including myself, were hoping that the third installment in the series would introduce new mechanics and deeper storytelling. However, it does not. The story so far also feels quite incomplete.
The Story Feels Incomplete
I am very well aware that a DLC is set to release soon (hopefully). However, that does not give the developers a pass to release a game whose story feels this incomplete. It does not just seem incomplete; it feels disconnected, as if things are just happening without any real purpose.
The first two games had emotional impact and mystery. On the other hand, Little Nightmares 3 only seems to have mystery, and even that feels forced. There should be enough storytelling through pacing and the environment for fans to decipher or understand what is going on.
Another major concern is that Low and Alone, while seeming important to the story, do not have enough strong moments. They fail to build a connection with the player, making the impact lackluster. I also expected some ties and twists that would connect to Six, Mono, or the Maw, even if only in memories.
This game relies too heavily on the DLC, and that is not a good sign. I really hope the developer can change the reception with the DLC, but it seems very unlikely to me.
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Obaid Ur Rehman is a lifelong gaming enthusiast with a deep passion for writing about video games. While he enjoys all genres, he specializes in RPGs and Soulslike titles. After tackling some of the toughest bosses, he often unwinds with a cozy game to relax. Outside of gaming, Obaid enjoys watching anime, bingeing TV series, or staying active at the gym.
