I am never a fan of horror genre. I prefer my adrenaline rushes in high-stakes, confrontational settings like in a tussle, but rarely in the unknown (and height). I read horror, even though it often misses my mark. Few though, of Goosebumps, Lovecraft’s stories, and manga like Junji Ito’s. Let alone play one. Thanks to my girlfriend, who is apparently a fan of the genre, that I got to play these incredible games. These franchise is called Little Nightmares developed by Tarsier Studio

These games actually quite popular on the year it’s launched. But yeah, I don’t even finish the playthrough that is all over YouTube. The settings are just too eerie. And, I am still trying to enjoy platformer game again after all these years.

Let’s start from the latest game I played from the franchise, Little Nightmares II. The game follows Mono and Six’s adventure in Pale City. Despite the sequel mark, this game actually serves as a prequel to the story. What is clever about this game is, the story also an expansion of the lore; of what actually happened in the game’s universe. It was fairly intriguing and answered a lot of questions from playing the first game, while adding more questions for players to dig into.

The element of cooperative puzzle-solving and platforming is what makes this game different than the predecessor. Added with some fighting element, the game provides never ending suspense. I consider myself a newbie in the gaming scene, and it took me a while to be accustomed to the button reflex. Sometimes, it just got too scary too quick, y’all!

And now, the start of this franchise, Little Nightmares. The game lays foundation to the whole ordeal: the eerie atmosphere, the fucked-up lore, the puzzling…puzzle, the hide-and-seek platformer. As the story progresses, the hunger and the indomitable spirit to survive is apparent as it is pivotal to the character. Seeing Six progressing through the The Maw is frighteningly admirable, emphasis on the frightening.

The game lore actually pointed out that the dog-eat-dog world as ethical hypothesis only happens when everything else that makes us human are null, not functional. The antagonists here are one-dimensional but seemingly conveying multitudes due to the familiar role they are assigned to. Yet, it is only a role. They are not as conflicted because they are one-dimensional being. Then and only then, eat or be eaten, the world devoid of empathy, can happens.

These games are incredibly fun. Looking forward to the third installments, coming this year!

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Name	: Little Nightmares
Year	: 2017
Developer	: Tarsier Studio
Verdict	: A good game to familiarize yourself with hindrance, failure, and obstacles.

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Name	: Little Nightmares II
Year	: 2021
Developer	: Tarsier Studio
Verdict	: Great cardio! Also if you like puzzle and survival