79
MONSTER
Little Nightmares II is a suspense-adventure game in which you play as Mono, a young boy trapped in a world that has been distorted by the humming transmission of a distant tower. With Six, the girl in a yellow raincoat, as his guide, Mono sets out to discover the dark secrets of The Signal Tower and save Six from her terrible fate; but their journey will not be straightforward as Mono and Six will face a gallery of new threats from the terrible residents of this world. Will you dare to face this collection of new, little nightmares?
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
Expand for full analysis
81
Little Nightmares II dazzles with haunting atmospherics and symbolic depth, crafting a nightmarish fairy tale through eerie visuals, sound design, and environmental storytelling—but its fragmented narrative, underdeveloped characters, and confusing twists leave many frustrated, splitting critics between awe and disappointment.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
81
Positive Reviews (80-100)
88%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
8%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
3%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Little Nightmares II dazzles with haunting atmospherics and symbolic depth, crafting a nightmarish fairy tale through eerie visuals, sound design, and environmental storytelling—but its fragmented narrative, underdeveloped characters, and confusing twists leave many frustrated, splitting critics between awe and disappointment.
Gameplay Mechanics
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75
A masterclass in atmospheric tension, Little Nightmares II elevates its predecessor with inventive 2.5D platforming, clever puzzles, and emotional storytelling, anchored by Six’s compelling AI partnership. Yet clunky controls, frustrating combat, and relentless trial-and-error mechanics undermine immersion, exposing technical flaws that clash with its bold creative vision.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
75
Positive Reviews (80-100)
32%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
67%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
A masterclass in atmospheric tension, Little Nightmares II elevates its predecessor with inventive 2.5D platforming, clever puzzles, and emotional storytelling, anchored by Six’s compelling AI partnership. Yet clunky controls, frustrating combat, and relentless trial-and-error mechanics undermine immersion, exposing technical flaws that clash with its bold creative vision.
Graphics and Visual Design
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90
Little Nightmares II dazzles with haunting visuals, warped environments, and a Tim Burton-meets-Henry Selick aesthetic, crafting an oppressive, immersive world through chilling color palettes, grotesque detail, and psychological unease. While technical hiccups on Switch and minor originality concerns linger, its art direction dominates as a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, overshadowing flaws with unforgettable, eerie beauty.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
90
Positive Reviews (80-100)
96%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
4%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Little Nightmares II dazzles with haunting visuals, warped environments, and a Tim Burton-meets-Henry Selick aesthetic, crafting an oppressive, immersive world through chilling color palettes, grotesque detail, and psychological unease. While technical hiccups on Switch and minor originality concerns linger, its art direction dominates as a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, overshadowing flaws with unforgettable, eerie beauty.
Music and Sound Design
Expand for full analysis
87
Critics rave about Little Nightmares II's spine-chilling sound design and haunting music, which masterfully amplify its horror and emotional weight through eerie ambient noise, guttural growls, and atmospheric scores. While a few note minor flaws—like missed nostalgia nods or accessibility gaps—the overwhelming consensus is that the audio is a genre-defining triumph, crafting an unforgettable sense of dread.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
87
Positive Reviews (80-100)
92%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
8%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Critics rave about Little Nightmares II's spine-chilling sound design and haunting music, which masterfully amplify its horror and emotional weight through eerie ambient noise, guttural growls, and atmospheric scores. While a few note minor flaws—like missed nostalgia nods or accessibility gaps—the overwhelming consensus is that the audio is a genre-defining triumph, crafting an unforgettable sense of dread.
Voice Acting
NA
TL;DR
voice acting
Description unavailable
Technical Performance
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72
Little Nightmares II delivers solid cross-platform performance with smooth gameplay, stable frame rates, and optimized loading times across PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC—despite minor glitches, hardware limitations, and occasional optimization hiccups. While some platforms face specific issues (e.g., Switch’s input delay, Xbox One’s frame-rate dips, PS4’s AI bugs), critics praise its technical stability, improved design, and overall polish, with flaws largely overshadowed by its artistic and gameplay strengths.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
72
Positive Reviews (80-100)
39%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
61%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Little Nightmares II delivers solid cross-platform performance with smooth gameplay, stable frame rates, and optimized loading times across PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC—despite minor glitches, hardware limitations, and occasional optimization hiccups. While some platforms face specific issues (e.g., Switch’s input delay, Xbox One’s frame-rate dips, PS4’s AI bugs), critics praise its technical stability, improved design, and overall polish, with flaws largely overshadowed by its artistic and gameplay strengths.
Replay Value
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65
Little Nightmares II’s collectibles, hidden secrets, and atmospheric tension offer replay appeal, but its short runtime, linear structure, and punishing difficulty limit longevity, with replayability hinging on completionist urges over substantive depth.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
65
Positive Reviews (80-100)
5%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
92%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
3%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Little Nightmares II’s collectibles, hidden secrets, and atmospheric tension offer replay appeal, but its short runtime, linear structure, and punishing difficulty limit longevity, with replayability hinging on completionist urges over substantive depth.
Overall Verdict
79
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
79
Positive Reviews (80-100)
79%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
21%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Little Nightmares II is a hauntingly beautiful horror masterpiece with inventive puzzles and atmospheric brilliance, but its frustrating mechanics, narrative gaps, and short length hold it back—still a standout sequel that captivates despite flaws.
79
MONSTER
Reviews
154 reviews found100
The Digital Fix
Feb 9, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Little Nightmares II expands on the original game, offering a bigger world, cosmic horror elements, and a sense of constant danger. It is a bold and ambitious sequel that makes sense in terms of storytelling choices. The game's scares are perfectly paced and never overstay their welcome.
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100
DarkStation
Feb 9, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Little Nightmares II builds greatly upon the first game and succeeds in every area. The 4-5 hour experience keeps players on the edge of their seats, and the creepy yet beautiful settings are captivating. Fans of the first game will love this installment, and newcomers should play both games. The reviewer hopes to see more from Tarsier Studios in the future.
100
Windows Central
Feb 9, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Little Nightmares II is an instant classic and a must-play title of 2021, showcasing unique gameplay and a haunting atmosphere that resonates with players.
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100
GameGrin
Feb 9, 2021
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Little Nightmares II surpasses its predecessor and sets a high benchmark for games in 2021, with its atmospheric and tension-filled gameplay.
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96
Xbox Tavern
Feb 9, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Little Nightmares 2 is a strange, creepy delight of a game. It is entertaining, with creepy visuals and audio, smart puzzles, and well-paced set pieces. While some sections can be slightly annoying, they are short enough to not make the player want to stop playing. It deserves to stand out as one of the best releases of the year.
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95
App Trigger
Feb 9, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Little Nightmares 2 is a beautifully terrifying game with a captivating story, stunning visuals, and immersive sound design. The melee controls could be improved, but overall, it is a great start to the year for game releases.
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95
Digital Chumps
Feb 9, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Little Nightmares II is a testament to horror in games, with a gripping story, atmospheric visuals, and immersive sound design. Despite some wonky controls and combat, it is a must-play for fans of the genre.
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93
Game Informer
Feb 9, 2021
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The review praises Little Nightmares II as a masterfully executed sequel that retains what makes the formula excellent. It recommends the game to fans of macabre and sinister environmental storytelling.
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91
Gaming Age
Feb 18, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Little Nightmares II is a wonderful follow-up to the original, with amazing world-building and a great overall experience.
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91
Player 2
Feb 10, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Little Nightmares II stands out with its charm, macabre sense of whimsy, and attention to detail, making it a solid recommendation for fans of the genre or those who enjoy feeling terrified and tense
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