Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Mar 5, 2021
    90
    For a horror, this is an oddly beautiful game filled with gorgeous scenes and amazing detail. Even though it is a sequel, it gives it's own interesting storyline that matches the original without being a copy.
  2. 90
    Little Nightmares II is an excellent sequel to one of the best horror titles with elements of puzzle and exploration. The second game brings the "work together" appeal, with the return of Six (protagonist of first Little Nightmares), and the protagonism of Mono. This surreal adventure is worth every second.
  3. Mar 4, 2021
    90
    Little Nightmares II is more of what fans enjoyed in the first installment. It's a terrific blend of evenly spaced platforming combined with environmental object manipulation puzzles. If that wasn't enough there's even a dose of co-ed puzzle solving. The game especially shines during the tense, atmospheric real-time platforming sequences. With its forgiving checkpoint auto-saves even a tired, old gamer can succeed through the platforming sequences.
  4. Feb 9, 2021
    90
    The most original platformer I've played in years: clever, creepy, and distinctive. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to play the first.
  5. Feb 9, 2021
    90
    Following closely in the footsteps of its predecessor, Little Nightmares II is an indie darling hiding a triple-A development team under the floorboards. It takes the cream of cinematic interpretations of The Ring, Poltergeist, IT and even Jim Henson’s Labyrinth and whisks them further into a butter of pitch-black imagination. It may not steer too far from the apple tree when it comes to evolving its gameplay, but what it does do is dim the lights even lower to carry on the momentum for another satisfying and nerve-wracking experience.
  6. Feb 9, 2021
    90
    Little Nightmares 2 is one of those games that should only be played at night in the dark. Amazing art design, spine-chilling music, and smooth gameplay. If you like horror, don’t hesitate to pick this one up as soon as you can.
  7. 90
    Little Nightmares II tells an enriching story, through its hauntingly beautiful level design and themes. There are intense moments, with frightening enemies lurking around every corner. Combine all of this with its fantastic audio design, and Little Nightmares II is a very special game that's definitely worth playing.
  8. Feb 11, 2021
    85
    Little Nightmares II is a great title that collects the best of its first game, expanding its formula to offer us a great variety of situations. Stealth, platforming, puzzles and exploration come together once again to put the player on tension, though it does have some control issues and a local co-op mode is missed.
  9. Ninty Fresh Magazine
    Oct 22, 2021
    80
    Niggling platforming mechanics aside, Little Nightmares II is hauntingly beautiful and full of mystery, its eeriness matched only by the impact it leaves on the player. [Issue #3, p.59]
  10. 80
    Little Nightmares II successfully creates a series of titles that pair up splendidly. Through masterful environmental storytelling and world-building, Tarsier Studios steps up to the likes of Limbo and Inside to invoke a creepy, horror experience that will force its way into your memories. Even with some frustrating sequences and some perspective clunkiness, Little Nightmares II gets a helping hand with all the other ways it exemplifies the genre.
  11. Mar 3, 2021
    80
    Little Nightmares 2 is a horror game that stays with you sometime after the credits roll. If you want a game to keep you feeling tense and uncomfortable for a few hours, Mono and Six will be able to help. Tarsier Studios doesn't throw buckets of gore at you or go for cheap scares; they know how to creep. The sequences requiring precision platforming and combat let the game down in some areas. If you're looking for a tense roller-coaster ride of dread and the grotesque, this is the nightmare for you.
  12. Feb 17, 2021
    80
    Despite its non-verbal nature (brilliant environmental details, sound design and music tell the story in place of words), Little Nightmares 2 is thought-provoking, tackling the potentially corrupting nature of what is beamed into our homes. If you were to nitpick, you could say that there’s little motivation to revisit the game once it’s run its course – but this gothic nightmare is a delight to inhabit.
  13. Feb 12, 2021
    80
    Little Nightmares 2 manages to surpass its predecessor with much more variety. The locations are more varied and the creepy situations are never repeated anywhere. You don't want to wake up from this nightmare.
  14. Feb 11, 2021
    80
    Little Nightmares II is an excellent follow-up to an already terrific game. While the changes it makes to the series’ established formula, such as the dual protagonist story and the addition of combat, are a bit hit or miss, I still found it nearly impossible to put the game down during my six-hour playthrough thanks to its satisfying puzzles and unrivaled atmosphere. If you’re a fan of the original game, then this is a game you won’t want to miss. However, if the performance problems I mentioned have you on the fence (though honestly, they’re not that bad), perhaps consider picking up the game on a more capable platform than the Switch.
  15. Feb 10, 2021
    80
    The story ekes out slowly and drips darkness and tension as you play hide and seek with a cast of horrors – most notably The Thin Man – leading to a blinding twist which only left us more unsettled yet ready to jump back in for another ride.
  16. Feb 9, 2021
    80
    Little Nightmares II is nothing less than engaging from start to finish, with superb pacing, entertainingly varied level design and excellent graphics and performance. Its only real flaws are based on the imprecision that comes with all games in its sub-genre, as well as a few sections that feel more about trial and error than reactive survival. In our view, though, this doesn't detract from a far superior sequel and one of the best cinematic platformers we've had the privilege of enjoying. A real stylish treat.
  17. Feb 18, 2021
    70
    Little Nightmares II is a delightfully spooky foray into a horrifyingly gorgeous world. It's also a bit too long, occasionally frustrating and, in one key moment, inaccessible for players who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. But, overall, it represents a successful follow-up from Tarsier. With inventive puzzle design and some startlingly original levels, it isn't quite a dream come true, but it certainly won't have you waking up, bolt upright, screaming, in a cold sweat.
  18. Feb 9, 2021
    65
    The result is an engaging and well-produced adventure, but regularly frustrating, both narratively and playfully.
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 113
  2. Negative: 11 out of 113
  1. Mar 22, 2021
    0
    If you aren't a huge fan of first game, there is absolutely no reason to buy this one.
    If you're curious about the world and history, then
    If you aren't a huge fan of first game, there is absolutely no reason to buy this one.
    If you're curious about the world and history, then sure, you might want to check it out.
    But the gameplay itself is the worst.
    Controls are horrendous. Have you ever had that feeling that you absolutely know what you're supposed to do and you know exact buttons you should press, but you still fail to progress? If not you'll get it here. Character is quite slow to react to input and most important parts of the require you to move quickly.
    Camera angles? Nah, just one angle that often doesn't work.
    Fighting? Why does it even exist in this type of game? Some of the enemies you hit every time, the others are on a completely different timing and you'll miss and die.
    As for dying - do I REALLY need to be sitting and stuck in the animation for 3-4 seconds after each infuriating death due to controls? Not being able to quickly try again makes you want to throw your gamepad into a wall.

    Spare yourself and watch some lets play, you'll enjoy the game a lot more
    Full Review »
  2. Feb 20, 2021
    6
    A frustrating and disappointing experience from start to finish. The moments meant to generate tension were spoiled by imprecise controls andA frustrating and disappointing experience from start to finish. The moments meant to generate tension were spoiled by imprecise controls and a static camera (particularly combat) Having a secondary character was under-utilised and puzzles involving her were shallow and boring. The story is also a bit too obtuse and left me with little desire to replay it. Hopefully Tarsier learn from this. Full Review »
  3. Apr 9, 2022
    6
    I really have mixed feelings about this game. There are both terribly good and terribly bad aspects to it. I haven't played the first game, soI really have mixed feelings about this game. There are both terribly good and terribly bad aspects to it. I haven't played the first game, so I'll review it as a standalone title.

    The good thing: The mood. The game looks like Tim Burton horror. The characters look like those stop-motion models. Their design is excellent and spooky. The environment is also very atmospheric, and really uses the perspective of a scared little child very well. Everything around you feels oppressive and huge, while you feel small and insignificant. However, it's not really scary (with scarce exceptions). It's really good at establishing a dark atmosphere, but I never felt really frightened. The story is told without dialogue, and is very strong. I won't spoil the ending, but the last chapter is really epic. And the sound is well made, centered around a theme from a music box.

    The bad thing: The gameplay. The controls are BAD. They are so imprecise and delayed that you'll die often just due to bad controls. For example, you can't even jump and grab something midair, you have to hold the "grab" button on the ground, and then jump. And then, the game has the audacity to require precise movement in certain sections, so you just die a dozen times before you get a lucky run. Some people argue that bad controls make a horror game scarier and better. I'd say they make it less scary, because a section becomes boring if you are forced to repeat it a couple of times. And bad controls are a big no-no for any platformer, and this game is one.
    The level design often made me wonder where to go or what to do next when there was no puzzle intended! The puzzles are average.

    I can't really recommend it for the Switch. Due to its hardware limitations, the graphics are a little washed out. Although it's short, I would say it's not worth your time.
    Full Review »