Reanimal Review (Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 & PC)

Reanimal is, at least in my mind, the official follow-up to Little Nightmares II—the sequel that we should have had instead of Supermassive Games’ rather forgettable and somewhat watered-down imitation. It feels like a spiritual successor to the perfect saga, in ways—a rightful heir to Six and Mono’s gloomy legacy. Although with its own identity and moral code, it almost pulls on all of the same trappings, including the pint-sized protagonists, the Tim Burton-esque landscapes, and the monolithic enemies that make the likes of Silent Hill look like a kindergarten sketch.

Suffice it to say, Tarsier Studios’ Little Nightmares set the standard for microscopic horrors with the intent to pivot conventional facets into petite wonders that could be openly perceived as being innocent by design, but awfully sinister in character. Reanimal, being the heir to Tarsier Studios’ iconic two-piece series, gracefully builds on that legacy in an effort to push the boat out just that little bit further. It still wears a lot of the same colors, and it still waves a flag that is vaguely reminiscent of Little Nightmares’. But, Reanimal isn’t just a nod to the yellow raincoat; it’s a full-fledged horror that dares to take Tarsier Studios’ signature qualities to the next level.

Of course, Tarsier Studios’ natural habitat isn’t within the arms of conventional storytelling, but deep within the peculiarities and the questionable dilemmas of a world that harbors no context or subtle hints. It’s a master in its craft—a curator of oddities that have little to no meaning other than to pique your curiosity and keep you second guessing their significance among sheep in wolves clothing. It doesn’t always make sense, and it doesn’t often care to illuminate the purpose of the world to help you connect the dots. Instead, and at least in this case, Reanimal opts to keep you in the dark—in an ominous pool where dialogue is scarce and beacons exist only to reveal more questions than answers. Like Little Nightmares, then. Yet, in this world you don’t have the nomes or the binds to gluttony or The Seven Deadly Sins, but a ambiguous tapestry depicting a boy, a girl, and a troupe of missing friends, all of whom share a dismal relationship with an island and its curious folk.

It begins with a speedboat, a boy, and a masked girl, along with an ominous shoreline and a vague trail that serves only to usher you deeper into a labyrinth of wards and industrial units. For the most part, you aren’t given a clue as to what it is that you’re trying to accomplish, nor are you given a warning about what looms beyond the other side of its abstract spectrum. It’s just you, a companion, and the faint sound of the pattering of tiny footsteps echoing in the dark. What entails in the wake of this untimely arrival is a short yet thought-provoking slip through claustrophobic boroughs and gloomy conditions, where mysterious humanoids prowl the wooded crags and crevices and its noir-like cubbies. It doesn’t tell you where you’re going, only that you have friends that are missing.

True to the spirit of Little Nightmares’ signature style, Reanimal features intense encounters, stealth-based peek-a-boo moments, and the occasional chase sequence, among other puzzles and pint-sized horror elements that you would typically find in Tarsier Studios’ alternate realities. Like the escapades that have come before it, the game more or less keeps to a short campaign with relatively straightforward, almost A-to-B linear progression that either involves collecting items to carve deeper into its world or, in worst case scenarios, stealthily maneuvering through tight spaces to evade enemies. Aside from that, what you see is what you get: a short, engrossing, and highly unorthodox horror with abnormal visual effects and a huge pinch of that all-important Tarsier Studios atmosphere.

Although Reanimal isn’t the lengthiest of ant-sized horrors on the chopping block, it is one that brings a lot of fantastic elements to the playground, including a striking setting with several shades of grays and crimson reds, and a roster of foes that befit the Tarsier aura. Gameplay-wise, it doesn’t go much further than what others have done in the past, by which I mean, it doesn’t sever the bond with its classic stealth-puzzle format. Sure enough, it involves foraging for items, operating mechanisms, and sneaking around whilst beneath the watchful gaze of various creatures. The point is, if you know your Little Nightmares, then you won’t find anything particularly out of the ordinary here. But, don’t let that fool you into believing that it’s “just another iteration” of the same old story, because it isn’t.

In addition to boasting a ton of excellent audiovisual elements and character designs, Reanimal also comes clean with a local and online multiplayer experience, too. It’s a small perk I’ll admit, but one that gracefully fills in where Little Nightmares wasn’t able to. It’s just a shame, really, that it doesn’t stick around long enough for you to truly embrace your characters and the predicament. Thankfully, it has the substance and quality, but at just four hours in length, it still leaves a fair amount to be desired come curtain call. For the rather low asking price, though, I find it surprisingly difficult to complain about. Swings and roundabouts, really.

Verdict

Tarsier Studios hits the nail on the head with Reanimal and just about everything that binds to it, from its gloomy surroundings to its dainty landmarks, its original characters to its chin-scratching plot line. It’s still a rather short game that leaves so much room for monetization, but to give credit where it’s due, it does stand tall as one of Tarsier Studios’ most impressive corridor rompers to date, with thanks to its stellar animation and on-point atmosphere, its nail-biting confrontational style and its convoluted stands that keep you scratching your head long after the credits shed their final monikers.

It goes without saying at this point, but if you enjoy Little Nightmares or, say, Bramble: The Mountain King, then you will definitely fall head over heels in love just about everything that fleshes out Reanimal. It might not be the scariest horror game in the world, but, to be honest, it is one that’s worth investing in just for the atmosphere alone. Well played, Tarsier.