Tarsier Studios is taking a break from the Little Nightmares franchise but surprises with Reanimal, a game that somehow feels familiar yet new. I had the chance to get my hands on a demo at Gamescom 2024, and let me tell you, this might be the next big horror hit. Ready to get scared?
A dark and eerie world
In Reanimal, you step into the shoes of a brother and sister who are on a mission to rescue others trapped in a dark and twisted world. No open world here, but you do have a little boat to navigate between different environments. While the demo didn’t let me play around with the boat, it’s clear that sailing between these locations will play a significant role in creating a more open, explorative feel to the otherwise linear progression. And just like that, Tarsier’s back on track to innovate the horror genre once more!
Is this Little Nightmares?
As I guided one of the siblings through a gloomy setting, I couldn’t shake off the Little Nightmares vibes, though, to be fair, that’s not a bad thing. The demo had me opening creaky doors, solving light environmental puzzles, and helping my sister out of tight spots, all while being hunted by a grotesque, hairy creature with way too many arms for comfort, sounds familiar?
But there’s more to Reanimal than just echoing its spiritual predecessors. The camera work here adds a fresh twist, stepping away from the dollhouse-style perspective of Little Nightmares. The camera is more dynamic, zooming out to give you a broader view of the environment and then swooping in for those dramatic moments. This not only sets a different tone but also allows Reanimal to carve out its own identity. The wider angles lend themselves to a grander, more cinematic experience, making each moment feel that much more intense.
Get scared together
The final game will support both online and local co-op, which is thrilling, especially since the two characters are always together on screen. This constant proximity ensures that you and your co-op partner share every suspenseful, nail-biting moment, making the horror experience even more personal and intense.
Early conclusion
In the end, Reanimal seems on its way to be another chilling success for Tarsier Studios. The combination of familiar mechanics with new twists, a haunting atmosphere, and the promise of shared scares in co-op mode makes me want to play it. If the demo is anything to go by, Reanimal is set to send shivers down your spine in all the right ways.
