Reanimal Review (PS5) – Reanimal marks the first entry for Tarsier Studios, published by THQ Nordic since having been acquired by Embracer Group back in 2019. Their previous title, Little Nightmares 2, was published by Bandai Namco. Aesthetically the two franchises are very similar, however Little Nightmares stayed with Bandai Namco, and Reanimal serves as a continuation of the original creator’s ideas.
Interestingly enough, not only do we get an entirely new franchise in Reanimal, we also get to see where Tarsier would have taken Little Nightmares 3, which upon its fairly recent release, was met with mixed reviews. What with Reanimal sporting an abundance of similarities to its predecessor, is it an evolution? Or does it risk becoming derivative? Let’s get into it.
Reanimal Review (PS5) – Nightmare Fuel
Cocktail Of Anxiety And Horror
I knew going in that there is a distinct similarity between both franchises, and while guiding my rowboat through a misty body of water, guided by faint red lights, taking a look at my mask-wearing protagonist, I immediately thought “Ok, so this really is 3D Little Nightmares.”
While making my way through the initial stages, I didn’t quite shake that feeling, and at first I was somewhat disappointed there wasn’t more to it after all. However, it didn’t take long after to realise that this is exactly what I want from Tarsier, because they’re damn good at it.
Tarsier does not hang around. You are quite quickly introduced to the first antagonist and knee deep in its excellently crafted atmosphere. The skin-suit type enemies that reanimate (a common theme throughout, naturally) to drag themselves across the floor, scurrying to reach you are just the first up, in a game full of terrifying foes that can be described only as sheer nightmare fuel.
The game itself is quite simple in principle. You partake in equally light puzzle solving and platforming, that is never really too difficult at any point. The primary focus of Little Nightmares seems dialed into a cinematic experience, and in that regard it nails it. It is an excellent horror game, with some of the most stylish and nightmarish imagery available.
With the creator’s unique cocktail of anxiety and horror is at the forefront of the game, it is lacking any semblance of challenge. I wouldn’t say it necessarily needs any, particularly in any abundance, but I do think it needed a bit more than it had to offer. Ultimately, I don’t think many players will have too much trouble navigating the lean campaign, and might be left wanting.
A Different Perspective
Of course, the game works well as solo experience, but Reanimal also offers co-op as an option for anyone with a friend willing to endure such horrors. I didn’t get to experience co-op during the review process, which would have been interesting, as many games tend to suffer from a loss of atmosphere, tension, and ultimately the fear factor that is required for a horror game that almost entirely focuses on the experience.
Beyond that, Tarsier opted to switch the perspective from 2.5D to 3D and it really does work. It doesn’t lose its sense of dread or atmosphere at all, and quite often, you will still navigate certain stages in the way you would have in their previous titles, in a more 2.5D like fashion.
Its art style especially lends its quite well to that change in perspective. Those early stages almost felt like I was navigating Toluca Lake and Silent Hill in their brand of aesthetic which combines Tim Burton, with Studio Ghibli, with dark European fairytales. It all translates rather nicely.
Progressing through the game, there is some very stylish, visually interesting areas that will certainly catch your eye, despite its incredibly bleak color palette. The barn area is particularly striking, and makes excellent use of color, which I do wish there was a little more of overall.
Reanimal is guilty of repeating itself during its rather short runtime. Its set pieces usually involve you running away from some grotesque creature, and while it certainly achieves an adrenaline rush and intense anxiety, I have to say it relies on them a little too much.
You won’t have much time to consider that, however, as the game doesn’t stick around long enough for it to become obnoxious. It is the very definition of all killer, no filler.
Simple Yet Stylish
There is a simplicity to its story that essentially has you (and potentially a co-op partner) trying to save your friends, and escape an increasingly dire situation. Its narrative is well paced, intriguing, and serves its purpose, moving you through this intense, strange world. Unfortunately, I think it ends all too soon.
Beyond that initial simplicity is something that is both highly disturbing and interesting, not to mention somewhat interpretative. It appears to make a statement regarding the treatment of animals, and I’m very interested to see what other players make of it.
Throughout its story, it offers up far more agency than its predecessors by providing melee weapons to beat up some seagulls and sand children with. Much like the rest of the game it feels snappy and satisfying. It knows when to make the player feel powerful, and when to remove that power.
Tarsier Studios makes use of some excellent, emphatic and visceral sound design that improves upon its already stellar atmosphere. There is a section with the sniper, and it turns that section into a highly intense moment, that felt distinctly horror, rather than action in its execution, in large part thanks to the audio. Hearing the bullets flying off the environment around you is highly unnerving.
Reanimal has multiple endings and collectibles that allows for some replay value, which given just how short a game this is, certainly doesn’t hurt. During the review process there was a lot of shimmering during the water sections at the edge of the screen, which was incredibly distracting. However, I’m sure a day one patch will smooth the experience out nicely.
Notwithstanding its short runtime, Reanimal packs a lot in there, and offers up a stylish, action packed campaign, with some highly disturbing imagery and antagonists that will be a treat for any horror fan. It is much more than what could have been the reanimated corpse of Little Nightmares.
Reanimal is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC from February 13, 2026.
Review code kindly provided by publisher.