This review contains spoilers
Little Nightmares is very similar to INSIDE in concept, but in execution, it just isn't as good, at least in my opinion.
I played for and hour and a half, and was simultaneously bored to death and fascinated. On the one hand, the game does have memorable and shocking moments, seeing a child starve to the point where he lets himself capture like a rat will stick with me. But on the other, the game's pacing is off. Most of the time, the game is slow, but suddenly the game will make you have to think on your feet. This is more of an action, instinctual-oriented game than INSIDE, which focused more on puzzle, but the thing is the action only kicks in after walking for what feels like forever.
The art style and animation's aren't anything to ride home about either. Usually, 2D games (or rather 3D games presented like 2D games) really shine with their art, but Little Nightmares feels like any other game I've ever seen. The decors can get interesting, but most of them are really bland and forgettable. In only and hour and a half of playtime, there were two distinct occasions where I thought the game had made me respawn ten minutes back because of how similar the rooms looked.
Also, small quirk, but the game doesn't give you any tutorials, except if you're stuck which is just dumb. Like yeah I see the point, but just put the "press X to do this" prompt immediatly and don't let me look like a dumbass not managing to solve a puzzle for 2 minutes because I don't know that there's a sprint button.
I played for and hour and a half, and was simultaneously bored to death and fascinated. On the one hand, the game does have memorable and shocking moments, seeing a child starve to the point where he lets himself capture like a rat will stick with me. But on the other, the game's pacing is off. Most of the time, the game is slow, but suddenly the game will make you have to think on your feet. This is more of an action, instinctual-oriented game than INSIDE, which focused more on puzzle, but the thing is the action only kicks in after walking for what feels like forever.
The art style and animation's aren't anything to ride home about either. Usually, 2D games (or rather 3D games presented like 2D games) really shine with their art, but Little Nightmares feels like any other game I've ever seen. The decors can get interesting, but most of them are really bland and forgettable. In only and hour and a half of playtime, there were two distinct occasions where I thought the game had made me respawn ten minutes back because of how similar the rooms looked.
Also, small quirk, but the game doesn't give you any tutorials, except if you're stuck which is just dumb. Like yeah I see the point, but just put the "press X to do this" prompt immediatly and don't let me look like a dumbass not managing to solve a puzzle for 2 minutes because I don't know that there's a sprint button.