Little Nightmares is a wordless, side-scrolling game about a tiny girl in a yellow raincoat named Six, stowed away on a massive ship called The Maw. She journeys from room to room across the ship, trying to escape.
She finds herself surrounded by giant, terrifying, warped versions of adults, who will stop at nothing to capture her. Like this blind guy with stubby legs and horrifyingly long and stretchy spider-like arms. When we meet him, he’s packaging up living children in paper and twine like they were hocks of meat. He’s very sensitive to sounds; don’t let him hear you walking on the creaky floorboards!
Or this chef who is preparing a grisly feast for the grotesque guests aboard the ship.
Six herself is crippled with hunger several times throughout the game. To the point where she starts considering some awful food choices…
Fortunately, she’s able to find sustenance around the ship. Next to a cafeteria of sorts, a small child drops a piece of bread for her to eat. She also runs into these little gnome-like creatures scurrying around the ship. After eventually befriending one of them, he offers her food when he sees her struggling.
Little Nightmares is a side-scrolling stealth/puzzle game. You’re trying to silently find your way across this massive ship without being caught by the giant adults, but you occasionally find yourself stuck and need to find a lever to turn or pull, or a button to press, or a key to unlock a door. They’re simple puzzles, but the atmosphere is dark and spooky, making any hesitation in the open a frightening ordeal. Not to mention, the creepy details in the background, like how this bed has straps across it to hold someone down:
The scariest part of the game for me is when you’re trying to walk across the dining tables of all the grotesque guests who are shoveling food into their fat faces as fast as they can. If you’re not quick enough, you’ll get snatched up and crammed into one of their maws. It’s such an anxiety-ridden scene, I almost didn’t take any screenshots. I was too focused on trying to stay alive!
Not to mention, the creepy subtle music throughout this game. I especially like Six’s Theme Part I and Hunger II (for those of you who bought the soundtrack). That haunting child’s hum set to a spooky background theme makes for some terrifying mood-setting music.
This game has a sequel, Little Nightmares II, which I believe might be a prequel story. You play as a tiny boy named Mono, who discovers a fading Six and attempts to save her, while also searching for a signal tower that’s corrupting everyone through horrifying broadcasts. I daresay it’s even more terrifying than the first game, with a horrifyingly dark end to its story.
Also, a new game, Little Nightmares III, has been announced for release next year. It follows two new children, Low and Alone, trying to find their way out of Nowhere. I’m excited to see what that game will be like! And I hope Six shows up at some point. I’m fascinated with her story and hope we get some more expanded lore on her.
