The Little Nightmares series is in a precarious yet exciting position. The developer of the first two entries, Tarsier Studios, has split ways with Little Nightmares after being acquired by Embracer Group. However, the series’ publisher Bandai Namco still has plans for the series and has already employed another developer, Supermassive Games, to develop Little Nightmares 2: Enhanced Edition. This means that when – and if – Little Nightmares 3 happens, it will have the chance to evolve the series with a new developer.
Little Nightmares has already proven it isn’t afraid of change. The Little Nightmares 1 DLC Secrets of the Maw alters how the events of its main story are perceived, making moments that were ambiguous incredibly dark. Little Nightmares 1‘s DLC also shifted focus more toward the puzzle elements over the horror elements that defined the game’s main story. Little Nightmares 2 further changed how the game was played. Rather than be an isolated child forced into a horrifying situation, players control the character Mono as he attempts to shut down a sinister radio tower with the protagonist of the first game, Six.
Considering the developments the Little Nightmares games made with Tarsier Studios, Little Nightmares 3 has exciting options for how it can naturally evolve the series. Integrating local co-op feels like the best next step Little Nightmares 3 can take considering that Little Nightmares 2 featured two main characters. In terms of story, Little Nightmares 3 could focus on what happens to Six after the events of the first game, as the story of Little Nightmares 2 already shows what happened before – and the first game ends at a very interesting spot.
How Little Nightmares 3 Could Bring Co-op Into The Series
However, integrating co-op into such a story will be a challenge for Little Nightmares 3. Six has continually shown she is suspicious of others and selfish, as she betrays Mono and a Nome in Little Nightmares 1 and 2. Her working on a team would require two things: Six has to be vulnerable enough to where she needs help from another person, and this person has to be welcoming enough to support her. Perhaps the best characters to fulfill this role would be the Refugee Boy and the Humpback Girl from the Little Nightmares comic series, who save her from a leech. Since Six defeats the Lady controlling the Maw in Little Nightmares 1, either of these characters are free to join Six on her next adventure.
This adventure should clearly have to do with the Thin Man. Six is responsible for creating the Thin Man due to her betrayal in Little Nightmares 2, and he seems to be at the center of everything wrong with the world of the games. It would only be natural for the game to follow Six encountering him again. Furthermore, the Little Nightmares comic shows that the backstory of the Lady running the Maw involves her fear of the Thin Man. The story of Little Nightmares 3 could thus finally give the lore behind why the Thin Man was created, why the Lady ran the Maw, and why the Guests on the Maw go there to eat children.
Of course, everything about Little Nightmares 3 remains a mystery at the moment – even its potential existence. But luckily Bandai Namco has confirmed with IGN that it sees a future for the Little Nightmares property. And when it comes to Little Nightmares 3, there is so much potential for what the game could do for the series.
