When in 2017 the videogame market saw the appearance of Little Nightmares, horror fans could see how much the genre still had to give and say. His particular artistic direction, the grotesque aesthetics, the courageous choice of a 2.5D view, not always in line with the classic tastes of the purists, have made that title a small cult, albeit still a niche one.
The Swedish team of Tarsier Studios it brings us back to facing the horrors of a world that is cruel and too strange for the eyes of an adult, let alone those of a child. The main character is Mono, a little boy with his head covered in a paper bag, fleeing a city that looks like something out of a nightmare. He also comes back to help us Six, the girl in the yellow raincoat from the first chapter, this time as the companion.
To know what we think of Little Nightmares 2, continue reading our review.
A nightmare world
If there's one thing Little Nightmares did well, it was broadcasting one feeling of insecurity palpable in a world that wants to see you suffer, even when everything seems apparently calm and silent. Tarsier Studios' indie fiction, while remaining cryptic in many respects, hinted at one fierce criticism towards the centers of power and a merciless representation ofaddiction to the "distractions imposed" by these powers (emblematic of the Guests who gorge themselves and then be sucked into their lifeblood) that modern man is unable to control in order to take back his own life.
This second chapter also presents a story that can be interpreted by the player through visual details and details that can only be grasped by playing. There is no doubt that LN2 is not simply a horror in which children have to travel through dark and dangerous scenarios while being careful of the evil ogre, it is not a fairy tale, it's not a version of Tom Thumb's horror, there's a lot more substance behind them distorted and grotesque images.
Even in LN2 the social criticism is strong and, without making spoilers, it is very evident in the chapter of the residential complex, in which the atmosphere takes a turn that reminded us so much Inside and dystopian fiction in general. As we have said, however, everything lies in the decoding that the player wants or manages to do during the adventure (lasting about 6 / 7 hours, double compared to the first game), certainly not obliged to grasp all the nuances. In fact, even the player who doesn't want to get lost in a thousand philosophical / social issues can enjoy LN2 for what it is, in the end: a beautiful horror.
We find ourselves in Mono's shoes right from the start and even sooner we understand that the situation is terrifying. The wood we enter is littered with traps that we can avoid by jumping too bravely or throwing objects to reveal their presence, death is still to be taken into account because LN2 has a puzzle game structure in many situations trial & error which forces you to study the situation well even when there is a need to hurry because chased by one of the typical villain stalkers of the series. This is where the game offers its best, that is, knowing how to convey the impression of constant danger, a perception that increases given Mono's awkward and awkward movements.
On the other hand, the weapons at our disposal are not many: we can run, but it's a big word, throwing objects or brandish weapons like axes and metal pipes that make their weight felt in the hands of a child, cling to the ledges after a jump e crouch. This last move is essential to pass unscathed in many circumstances in which the slightest noise can alert hungry and relentless enemies such as the Hunter who guards the woods.
The "bosses" are disturbing, paradoxical in their features, their predatory abilities are terrifying to watch and consistent with their role and the context in which they find themselves. The Teacher, for example, is capable of stretch your neck out of all proportion to verify our presence behind objects in the scenario and then eat in a single bite, just like an inflexible educator who wants at all costs to control the activity of students without letting them breathe and the possibility of unleashing creativity .
Compared to the first chapter, LN2 also offers some small dynamics that can make the gameplay more interesting and profound. First, we have the cooperation with Six, never directly controllable by us, but recalled with the triangle / Y key. The girl in the yellow raincoat can help us jump higher by acting as a bridge (useful for interacting with handles too high), catch us on the fly during more dangerous jumps, carry objects if our hands are busy and, from time to time, give us visual advice (gestures and body position) on how to move forward.
LN2 also features multiple sections of combat against minor enemies, even if the combat system is reduced to hitting at the right time with the weapon placed there by the game. The two most interesting mechanics, however, have as protagonists the torch and remote control. In the asylum chapter, the torch can be used to stop the insane, a bit like the Silent Hill nurses - but on the contrary - giving really scary moments. The section in the hospital reminded us a lot of the Konami saga, demonstrating that Tarsier Studios wanted to focus more on features of the horror genre.
The remote control, on the other hand, allows us to turn the televisions of the tenants in the residential complex on and off. The appliances act as portals able to teleport us to otherwise inaccessible areas or avoid just an unpleasant encounter.
LN2 improves in all aspects the first chapter despite one less inspired final part compared to the rest of the game and some imperfections in the controls which, yes, make you perceive even more the feeling of anxiety in situations where timing is essential, but can be annoying after several failed attempts due to the button to cling to the edges after a jump that does not always receive the message with reactivity.
Even the artistic direction remains of the highest level with distorted scenarios, enemies who have abandoned their humanity forever, visual and sound effects at times Lynchian, details that when seen in passing leave you disturbed and if seen carefully they put on a lot of sadness, making us wonder why and how certain things happened in the LN2 game world.
The sound design is no exception with children's choirs singing lullabies of sick charm, rhythms that jump when the enemy is at his heels and long silences which are much scarier than any sound effect.
Final comment
Little Nightmares 2 proposes the formula of the first chapter, but improves it in every aspect, enriching it with always appropriate mechanics and focusing even more on a dark and terrifying atmosphere. LN2 is 100% horror because it conveys anguish, anxiety and sometimes melancholy. Once again, his narrative, certainly cryptic, has an impact, which delves deeply into the distortions of modern society. An unmissable game if you are passionate about the genre and have appreciated, even a minimum, its predecessor.
