Jun 15, 2026

Little Nightmares 3 The Backstage Review – A Strong DLC That Ends Too Quickly

Obaid Ur Rehman

Welcome to the Into Indie Games review of the Little Nightmares 3 DLC, The Backstage.

Little Nightmares 3 was released last year, but the reception was not really what you would expect from a game in this franchise. Many fans did not really enjoy it to its fullest. However, it seems like the developers have managed to improve a lot in the DLC.

A Darker and More Disturbing Atmosphere Than the Base Game

disturbing atmosphere in little nightmares 3 the backstage

The atmosphere of the Little Nightmares games has always been close to perfection, and the base game was no exception to that. However, in the DLC, the developers have managed to take it up a notch and make it even more eerie and unsettling.

When the game starts and you begin progressing, it genuinely feels like something is not right, adding to the scary environment. It would not be a stretch to say that it feels like there are eyes watching you throughout your journey. On top of that, the setting feels abandoned yet alive, which makes the whole environment much more disturbing.

Part of this comes from the brilliant environmental design. You can see details like torn curtains, broken stage props, puppets inside cages reacting to your flashlight when using the Light Hat, and dimly lit corridors that strongly suggest the place was once full of life but is now completely empty and decayed.

What makes the atmosphere even better is the sound design. Long stretches of silence, which already feel unsettling, are suddenly broken by distant voices and unexplained noises. This constantly builds tension and makes the entire journey feel even more eerie.

What makes the environment particularly effective, in my opinion, is the uncertainty it creates. There are no jump scares—instead, there is a constant feeling that something is wrong, and that psychological tension is what keeps the experience so effective.

Overall, the atmosphere and sound design work together brilliantly, making them one of the strongest aspects of the DLC without a doubt.

Clever Puzzle Design Built Around a New Mechanic

puzzle in little nightmares 3 the backstage

One of the main complaints about the base game was that the puzzles were extremely easy to solve. That has been improved in the DLC, where the puzzles, although fewer in number, are much more engaging.

Your gameplay revolves around a new mechanic introduced at the beginning, which is a flash that can be used with the Light Hat. This mechanic allows you to reveal hints throughout the environment to solve puzzles, while still keeping progression somewhat challenging.

Most of the puzzles revolve around manipulating the environment with the help of the Light Hat. Rather than interacting with random objects blindly, you need to observe your surroundings carefully and find hidden clues using this new mechanic.

What makes these puzzles enjoyable is the balance between challenge and clarity. While they can feel slightly tricky at first, they are never overly frustrating. The solution is usually right there, and with a bit of experimentation, you quickly realize that the answer was often right in front of you.

The Puppeteer Steals the Spotlight

There is only one boss in The Backstage DLC, and she is absolutely terrifying. The Puppeteer is arguably the best boss in the entire game, including the base version. She first appears in a calm moment where you simply witness her working, with nothing immediately threatening about her presence.

However, as you progress further and encounter her directly for the first time, the tension begins to rise. You are required to pick up an item and charge it, and that is where the real intensity begins.

The DLC does an excellent job with stealth design, and this section is a clear highlight. You need to retrieve an item placed on the left side of the area. In theory, if the boss is working at the center station and then moves to the right, you should be able to grab it easily. However, it is not that simple.

The Puppeteer can rotate her head backward while performing normal tasks and can spot you unexpectedly. This makes her movement patterns unpredictable, and you need to carefully learn her behavior before making a move.

You can also attempt to rush in, grab the item, and escape. However, that requires a lot of luck and perfect timing. The Puppeteer can stop you using an attack emitted from her mouth, while your flashlight mechanic allows you to stun her for a short period, which becomes essential for survival.

This is not your only encounter with her. After this sequence, the rest of the DLC revolves heavily around avoiding her presence. Even in the few sections where she doesn’t appear, her influence is felt throughout.

A Strong DLC Held Back by Its Short Length

The Backstage is an arguably solid DLC, but there are still a few shortcomings. First of all, the length is a major issue. The experience feels too short, and there could have been more sections with different environments to expand the content.

Another issue is that there is only one major boss encounter. While the Puppeteer is a memorable villain, having only a single main encounter does not feel like enough. This could have been improved if the DLC had a longer runtime and more varied sequences.

We would also like to point out that the number of puzzles is quite limited. If you include the final sequence where you insert items into the circular mechanism, there are only around three major puzzle sections in total. While they are good, there simply are not enough of them.

Overall, the DLC is solid, but if its length had been increased and its ideas expanded further, it could have overcome most of its shortcomings.

Verdict

The Backstage is a solid DLC that improves on several aspects of the base game, especially atmosphere, puzzle design, and its standout antagonist. However, its short length and limited variety hold it back from reaching its full potential.

Developer: Supermassive Games
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Release Date: 12 June 2026 (Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 & 4, Xbox Series S|X & Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch & Switch 2)