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There is no darkness so dense, so menacing, or so difficult that it cannot be overcome by light.


Introduction

This review is based on playing on the Steam deck.
Little Nightmares is a 3D platforming adventure from a 2D perspective that encourages the player to step outside of their comfort zones and unlock their imagination to complete its many challenges and puzzles.
But do you have what it takes to help Six escape The Maw, or is she doomed to be trapped forever?


🟩 Positives
🟥 Negatives


🟩 The story has been thoughtfully plotted out and written to give the player freedom to speculate on many aspects of the plot, but a solid foundation to work from.
🟩 Each chapter feels fresh and unique on its own, demonstrating excellent level design and the ability to implement multiple unique experiences into one.
🟩 The visual experience is a little dated but in no way unpleasant, especially while playing it on the Steam Deck. The audio has aged much better, providing an intense atmosphere and solid and gritty animation sounds that will have you gritting your teeth with every moment.
🟥 The movement mechanics are frustratingly clunky.



Story

In Little Nightmares, you take control of Six, a young girl who awakens in a panic after a startling dream about a tall, thin woman standing in thick shadow, who slowly turns to realise her.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3143300160
With Six dragging herself from her bed, you are tasked with helping her escape The Maw that has become her home. Complete puzzles while being pursued by the many residents who wish to seek Six harm, evade your pursuers and help her attain the freedom she desires.
Little Nightmares is a wonderfully designed story experience that is captivatingly innocent and ruthlessly dark, all in a seamless brushstroke. By capturing a tangible yearning to escape the confines forced upon you, this game illustrates a true struggle to survive in its absolute primal form, employing your childhood fears and uncomfortable settings to throw you off and forcing you to question whether the next step will be your last.

Gameplay Analysis

A game of cat and mouse.
Six has very little in her favour aboard The Maw. She is small, unarmed and weak to the many horrors that seek her demise. Even in the aspects you would believe would be on her side, such as speed and agility, she still falls short compared to them. The only real option you have to keep her safe is to keep her hidden by hiding in the shadows and embracing claustrophobic tunnels.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3143300269
A task often made difficult by the fact the movement controls are a touch cumbersome and often make it challenging to manoeuvre as you seek your escape.
Thankfully, exploration doesn't play a large part in the experience here, so you won't have to go far off the beaten track often to find items or collectibles.
Use your head.
The only other significant aspect of this game is the puzzle mechanics. There are quite a few puzzles in Little Nightmares that will challenge you to complete multiple steps for your reward or have you try and achieve objectives while being hunted.
These can be quite difficult to overcome, but the reward for your prowess and ingenuity will be your freedom.

Audio and Visual

As mentioned above, Little Nightmares does suffer from somewhat dated graphics, but it is far from a terrible visual experience. The journey is still extremely captivating and atmospheric, and it plays like it’s right at home on the deck.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3143300584
The audio hasn't aged as much and remains a solid experience throughout the journey. Animation sounds will have you gritting your teeth against the abrasive sounds you commit to, and the general ambience of the world helps immerse you wholly. The music is also sensational by providing compelling and unique tracks for each new location you visit.

Deck Performance and Specifications

I experienced no issues running Little Nightmares on the deck, and the general performance was well above expectations. A full charge allowed approximately 3-4 hours of gameplay at the default graphical settings.

Final Thoughts - Very Good

Review chart here.
With so much going for it, Little Nightmares is probably paramount one of the best deck experiences I've had to date. Its beautiful storyline, and wonderful world building consistently impressed me, and I'm still entangled in the complex plot it left me with. Only weighed down by its incredibly clunky movement mechanics, which take up a large portion of the experience. This is definitely a must play game for fans of horrific atmosphere and gripping tales.
If a nightmare has driven you from your slumber and you seek refuge against the horrors of this world, head to Hell, Purgatory and Paradise to light a fire that will provide you true salvation against the darkness.