Little Nightmares: A Classic Feast of Unsettling Horror – Weekly Indie Spotlight
Happy Halloween! You might argue that Little Nightmares shouldn’t be considered an indie game since it was published by Bandai Namco, but the first game was still developed by a small studio, so I’m counting it as an indie game. Besides, it’s the perfect game for Halloween. It oozes a creepy, unsettling atmosphere that’s sure to give you chills if you’re playing it in a dark room, but it also doesn’t skimp on the gameplay.
The Psychological Terror of Little Nightmares
Developed by Tarsier Studios, Little Nightmares tells the story of Six, a little girl trapped onboard a vessel called the Maw, which is inhabited by gruesome creatures who eat children. Armed with only a lighter, Six must escape the Maw in one piece. While the story may be simple, the execution is masterful. The story unfolds with absolutely no dialogue or exposition, letting the player experience everything along with Six. The dark, moody visuals and creepy sound effects immediately launch you into a sense of unease, as if you really are a small child trapped on a deadly ship.
The unease only increases as the game progresses. The creatures who inhabit the Maw look something like humans, but with gruesome disfigurements. They don’t speak, instead making creepy noises, and they’re also huge, providing a true threat to the player. In addition, Six will eventually have to embrace her own darker side in order to make it out alive, further unsettling the player when they realize that the character they are controlling might not be as innocent as she first appeared.
Yes, the Gameplay is Great Too
Some indie horror games can deliver amazing atmosphere with mediocre gameplay, but fortunately, Little Nightmares excels at both atmosphere and gameplay. While Six can’t fight the enemies herself, she can use her small size to her advantage, climbing up boxes, creeping through narrow passageways, and sneaking past the creatures at just the right moment.
The puzzle platforming encourages you to make use of everything around you. Maybe you need to open drawers, push boxes, utilize stealth skills, or combine several different techniques. Checkpoints are frequent, meaning that you don’t have to backtrack much when you die. This lets you focus on applying brain power to the tense situations. Is it difficult sometimes? Yes, but it’s a rewarding kind of difficulty instead of a frustrating one.
Conclusion
Since the third game in the series just came out, this is a great time to revisit the game that started it all. Whether you’re a seasoned Little Nightmares player or a newcomer to the series, the first game will always be worth coming back to. It absolutely deserves to be called a modern classic. Between the terrifying atmosphere and the clever puzzle platforming, it is an experience to remember. The game can be purchased on Steam for $19.99.
