Not everyone enjoys horror games, but even for timid players like myself, experiencing fear with a companion makes these games more approachable. This is particularly relevant, as merely viewing screenshots of the forthcoming Reanimal is unsettling. Scheduled for release on February 13, Reanimal has now received a complimentary demo on Nintendo Switch 2, following its previous demo launch on Steam and other consoles late last year.
Reanimal represents the upcoming title from Tarsier Studios, the developers behind the original Little Nightmares—a connection that becomes immediately apparent upon viewing the game. Following their work on the first two Little Nightmares installments, Tarsier transferred the franchise to another team for the third game, which received notably poorer reviews than its predecessors. This move allowed the studio to concentrate on developing this new cooperative spiritual successor, which appears to have rediscovered the essence that made the original Little Nightmares exceptional.
Reanimal can be played solo, but the design clearly favors cooperative play, offering both local and online multiplayer options. In the cooperative mode, each participant controls one of the game’s masked child protagonists, working together to navigate the frightening world.
The demo begins with a boat journey to an enigmatic island, where players must evade monstrous creatures and solve puzzles to traverse unsettling landscapes. Following the approach of the Little Nightmares series, Reanimal presents its narrative indirectly, scattering clues for players to discover while maintaining a metaphorical rather than literal storytelling style. What is evident is that the island shelters a community of masked children similar to the player characters, and that the protagonists are returning after previously fleeing or being expelled.
Even during initial gameplay, Reanimal effectively utilizes its multiplayer features. Players frequently need to assist their partner in reaching elevated platforms, and numerous puzzles demand synchronized effort. For instance, one player might need to hold a switch to halt a massive mechanism while the other passes through it, or both must time their button inputs precisely to propel a mine cart across a gap. While these mechanics are relatively straightforward, the emphasis on cooperation fosters a sense of connection between the characters and requires players to develop teamwork skills.
Beyond simply providing puzzle-solving assistance, playing Reanimal cooperatively alters the experience compared to the solitary nature of Little Nightmares. Having someone to share frightening moments makes it easier to persevere through scary sequences, and a friend’s laughter at your startled reactions can diffuse tension. However, cooperative play also means you’re responsible for more than just your own survival—activities like evading patrolling enemies can become more challenging with two players. Instead of focusing solely on personal safety, you must mutually support each other through dangerous situations, introducing a fresh layer to the horror experience.
With approximately one month remaining until Reanimal‘s launch, after testing the demo on both PC and Switch 2, I have reservations about the Nintendo console’s performance. I encountered occasional slowdown and inconsistent frame rates on the Switch 2 that were absent in the Steam version. Although these problems might be resolved before release, trying the demo beforehand is advisable to determine if such issues affect your experience.
I might choose the PC version upon release, but the Reanimal demo has certainly sparked my interest in the complete game. The combination of childlike protagonists and grotesque creatures in Little Nightmares was always somewhat overwhelming for me, yet playing Reanimal alongside a friend felt considerably more comfortable. The fear factor remains intact, but the reassurance of companionship could make the experience more accessible for those who typically avoid horror games.