Hands-On: Reanimal — Little Nightmares’ Creators Build a Cinematic Co‑Op Horror
Reanimal is a third-person horror game from Tarsier Studios, makers of the first two Little Nightmares games, and it was playable in a 30-minute hands-on demo at Gamescom 2024.
- What it is: a mostly linear, co-op horror game with a dynamic camera and an optional AI companion.
- Demo details: 30-minute preview at Gamescom; starts on a beach and moves into industrial interiors.
- Gameplay: co-op puzzles, stealth and chase sections, and cinematic lighting and camera work.
- Platforms and timing: coming early 2026 to Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
Overview
Reanimal was announced at Gamescom 2024 and puts you in control of an orphan brother and sister trying to escape an island full of monsters. The game is primarily third-person and supports two-player co-op, though it can be played solo with an AI companion. The narrative is described as mostly linear, and the story is shown through a dynamic camera rather than a fixed one.
Hands-on demo at Gamescom
The author played a 30-minute demo at Gamescom in co-op with another attendee. The sequence opened on a gloomy beach where the siblings searched washed-up suitcases; one key unlocked a nearby door and led into a large industrial building. From there, the demo progressed through puzzle rooms and tense chase sections.
Co-op puzzles
Puzzles in the demo commonly required teamwork. For example, several moments needed two players to pull levers at the same time or for one player to hold a position while the other moved ahead to create a path. Most challenges relied on finding items and hidden switches, so exploration was important.
During the demo, small practical details appeared: one scene required the players to get a mine cart moving, only to be told by a developer that the cart had no wheels. Another brief task involved trying to unclog a toilet, which highlighted how many puzzles are designed around cooperative actions rather than single-player solutions.
Horror and pacing
Aside from puzzles, Reanimal mixes stealth and chase sequences. In the demo, groups of hostile figures sprung out during an exploration segment and pursued the players. A recurring large humanoid enemy also appeared at key moments, creating sudden high-tension encounters that forced players to hide or run. These sections emphasized quick decision-making and timing.
Visuals and cinematography
The demo used camera angles and lighting to shape tension. For instance, the opening beach is framed from a distance to stress isolation, then the camera tightens in tunnels to focus on the siblings and their lanterns. In one stealth moment, headlights from an abandoned car backlit a monster, making its silhouette more threatening while the protagonists moved in the foreground.
Overall, the game pairs eerie visuals with moments of cuteness — notably, the siblings carry little lights and huddle together on respawn — which creates contrast between the protagonists and the island’s inhabitants. Lighting and camera composition are central to how the demo built suspense.
Release and platforms
Reanimal is scheduled for early 2026 and will release on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. The game supports two-player co-op and also includes a solo option where an AI companion fills the second slot.
