Tarsier Studios' horror adventure Reanimal, a spiritual successor to Little Nightmares, has launched to divided opinions. While some praise its atmospheric artistry and cinematic set pieces, others criticize its lack of tension and underutilized gameplay. The game is available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X and S, and PC.
Tarsier Studios released Reanimal on February 11, 2026, marking the developer's first project since leaving the Little Nightmares series. The game follows Boy and Girl, a brother-sister duo, as they navigate a shattered, dystopian island in search of missing friends, using a rowboat to travel between episodic encounters with grotesque creatures.
Eurogamer's review highlights Reanimal's "phenomenal artistry and mood," noting its bleaker tone compared to Little Nightmares. The critic appreciates the addition of sparse, chilling dialogue, such as the opening line "I thought you were dead," delivered in a way that enhances the haunted isolation. The third-person camera is praised for framing cinematic scenes, like fog-smothered oceans and collapsing train-top chases, contributing to a sense of peril despite forgiving fail states. Gameplay emphasizes forward momentum with simple puzzles, basic one-button combat, light platforming, and occasional driving or sailing segments. The world features abandoned industry, urban squalor, and weather-battered coastlines, evoking a contemporary dystopia. At around eight hours, the game includes collectibles like masks and concept art, though its elusive story and episodic structure leave some feeling unfulfilled.
In contrast, Kotaku describes Reanimal as "a beautifully rendered haunted house that lacks the scares or activities to warrant a visit." The review points to only about a dozen puzzles and minimal tension in enemy encounters, such as hiding from the lanky foe Sniffer, who fails to create close calls. Larger explorable areas, including beaches and fields, feel underutilized, with collectibles like cosmetic masks not justifying the effort. Basic combat involves swinging at sandy humanoids or throwing weapons at bosses, but the experience is seen as diluted from Little Nightmares' formula. Played in about six hours across nine chapters, the game supports local and online co-op, though discoveries feel unrewarding. Positives include strong visuals and a strong final hour where players alternate between hunter and hunted, providing narrative closure to recurring motifs.
Both reviews agree on Tarsier's focus on atmosphere over jump scares, with no major contradictions in core details. Reanimal builds on familiar foundations but divides critics on whether it evolves meaningfully or plays it too safe.
