The first Little Nightmares game terrified horror fans. Tarsier Studios used incredible sound design, monstrous characters, and environmental storytelling to draw players into a twisted journey through the Maw. The developer released Little Nightmares II since then, which proved to be a sequel just as horrifying and entertaining as the first.
Since Little Nightmares games are linear, and the third installment won’t be released until 2024, fans are looking for games similar to the series. We’ve got six great titles lined up for you!
6 Games Like Little Nightmares Players Need to Try
When thinking of games that fall into the Little-Nightmares-esque category, we considered these characteristics:
- Playing as a child protagonist
- Immersive environmental storytelling
- Atmospheric or psychological horror (scary games that don’t heavily rely on jumpscares)
- Gameplay that’s centered around platforming, puzzle-solving, or stealth
- Disturbing and frightening character designs
The titles on this list aren’t exactly like Little Nightmares, but they check many boxes. We’ve included a similarity score with each entry, 1 being completely different and 10 being a perfect match, so you know how similar each title is to the Little Nightmares franchise.
INSIDE
- Developer/Publisher: Playdead
- Game Release Date: June 29, 2016
- Platforms: Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 4, iOS, Nintendo Switch, MacOS
- Price: $19.99 on Xbox (included with Game Pass), $1.99 on Steam (until Nov. 28, then it’s $19.99), $4.99 on PS4 (until Nov. 30, then it’s $19.99), $1.99 on Nintendo Switch (until Nov. 28, then it’s $1.99), $6.99 on iOS
- Metascore: 87
- Similarity Score: 8.7
When most people think of games similar to Little Nightmares, INSIDE typically comes up. Like the Little Nightmares series, a child is trapped in a dystopian universe filled with jarring images and intense moments that keep you on edge. INSIDE is highly praised for its sound design, unsettling atmosphere, and puzzle gameplay.
LIMBO
- Developer/Publisher: Playdead
- Game Release Date: July 21, 2010
- Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
- Price: $0.99 on Steam (until Nov. 28, then it’s $9.99), $9.99 on Xbox, $1.99 on Nintendo Switch (until Nov. 28, then it’s $9.99), $3.99 on iOS and Android, $2.49 on PlayStation (until Nov. 30, then it’s $9.99)
- Metascore: 88
- Similarity Score: 8.5
Playdead made this popular Little-Nightmare-like title years before INSIDE. This indie adventure features a boy who enters LIMBO to save his sister. Grotesque creatures will do everything they can to stop him from finding her. The art style stands out most in LIMBO. The black-and-white environment perfectly captures the eerie ambiance.
If the previous title also sounds appealing, you can get LIMBO and INSIDE as a bundle on Windows and Xbox.
Bramble: The Mountain King
- Developer/Publisher: Dimfrost Studio/Merge Games
- Game Release Date: April 27, 2023
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
- Price: $14.99 on Steam (until Nov. 28, then it’s $29.99), $29.99 on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch
- Metascore: 80
- Similarity Score: 8.0
Little Nightmares fans should also try Bramble: The Mountain King. This title also follows a boy searching for his sister in an unforgiving world. Bramble is similar to Little Nightmares, but it’s far more graphic. The game probably isn’t best for the squeamish.
The most unique thing about Bramble is its enemies, which are based on Nordic fables. This game is the way to go, especially if you’re interested in impressive character designs.
Yomawari: Night Alone
- Developer/Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software
- Game Release Date: October 25, 2016
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch
- Price: $3.99 on Steam (until Nov. 28, then it’s $19.99), $39.99 bundle with Night Alone and Midnight Shadows on Nintendo Switch
- Metascore: 75
- Similarity Score: 6.5
Don’t let the adorable art style fool you. Nippon Ichi Software combines cute graphics with an unsettling story in Yomarwari: Night Alone. An unnamed girl must venture into her haunted town to search for her — you guessed it — missing sister. The only way to escape the spirits is by hiding, outsmarting them, or running away.
Yomawari: Night Alone is only available on three platforms, but the sequels, Midnight Shadows and Lost in the Dark, are playable on more. The Yomawari series has many more jump scares than the Little Nightmares franchise, so keep that in mind before purchasing the games. You can get the entire Yomawari series and more in the Deluxe Bundle on Steam.
GYLT
- Developer/Publisher: Tequila Works
- Game Release Date: November 19, 2019
- Platforms: Google Stadia, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Price: $13.99 on Steam (until Nov. 28, then it’s $19.99), $19.99 on Xbox and PlayStation
- Metascore: 68
- Similarity Score: 6.0
Like the previous entries, a family member goes missing in GYLT. This time, a little girl named Sally is on a mission to find her little cousin, Emily, in a surreal world where fears become reality.
There are more direct battles with enemies in GYLT than in Little Nightmares. If you’re looking for a Little Nightmares experience with a healthy dose of action, GYLT might be a good pick.
Detention
- Developer/Publisher: Red Candle Games
- Game Release Date: January 13, 2017
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Android
- Price: $3.59 on Steam (until Nov. 28, then it’s $11.99), $12.99 on PlayStation, $4.99 on iOS, free on Android with in-app purchases, $12.99 on Nintendo Switch
- Metascore: 83
- Similarity Score: 6.0
The hauntings continue in Red Candle Games’ Detention. In this 2D psychological horror, two students must escape their ghost-infested high school by solving puzzles.
Red Candle Games includes Taiwanese cultural references, such as Taoism, Buddhism, and Chinese mythology, creating a unique and frightening gaming experience. Detention's immersive gameplay makes it a must-have for fans of Little Nightmares.
This article was originally published on dbltap as 6 Games Like Little Nightmares Players Need to Try.
