Reanimal, the new horror game imagined by the creators of Little Nightmares, is finally playable on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. With its demo available for free download, this title promises to be a striking revenge after the lukewarm reception of Little Nightmares III.
Developed by the Swedish studio Tarsier Studios, behind the first two parts of the cult saga, Reanimal continues in the vein of a grotesque, stifling and deeply disturbing universe. Announced for a full release on Friday February 13, 2026, the game addresses a very real frustration: the PC demo, unveiled last October on Steam, had left console players in the lurch.
A nightmarish atmosphere worthy of the origins of the saga
Far from being a simple clone of its predecessor, Reanimal stands out from the first minutes with a chilling visual and sound atmosphere. The graphic style is reminiscent of Little Nightmares, but pushes the strangeness even further, with a design of creatures as twisted as they are disturbing. The gameplay allows, as in Little Nightmares III, to play solo with an AI-controlled companion or in local cooperation with a friend.
This return to basics contrasts with the more mixed reception of Little Nightmares III, this time developed by Supermassive Games, known for Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology. Despite a praised artistic direction, the game was not able to completely convince. Sam, a journalist at GAMINGbible, said that “Little Nightmares III has the makings of a sequel, just by its title. In cooperation with a friend, family member or partner, it’s a good time that will give you enough thrills and terror, as well as a few laughs.”
A light demo but full of promise
On PlayStation 5, the Reanimal demo weighs only 4.3 GB (4.8 GB on Xbox Series X/S), proof that horror does not necessarily rhyme with gargantuan storage. And if the full game will keep its promises, some already do not hesitate to say that it could well surpass all previous creations from Tarsier Studios.
Still according to Sam from GAMINGbible, Little Nightmares III suffered from a lack of story impact: “The storyline is the biggest weak point, however, and if you’re expecting a story on the same level as that of the first game, look elsewhere.” The tone is set, and Reanimal could well respond to this vacant narrative expectation.
On social media, Tarsier Studios confirmed that pre-orders are already open for the PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions. And with a release date set for the symbolic Friday February 13, 2026, the studio is playing the thrill card until the end.