Reanimal is an Exercise for Tarsiers Little Nightmares Horror Niche

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Reanimal is an Exercise for Tarsiers Little Nightmares Horror Niche

Key Takeaways

  • Reanimal by Tarsier is an upcoming horror game similar to Little Nightmares, exploring grotesque animal body horror in a familiar atmosphere.
  • Reanimal and Little Nightmares 3 share similarities and could even launch around the same time, with Reanimal being a chance for Tarsier to explore a new IP within its horror niche.
  • Reanimal will be a test of players’ love for Little Nightmares as an IP or for what Tarsier achieved with that framework.

As someone who has spent countless sleepless nights being both captivated and terrified by the enigmatic world of Little Nightmares, the reveal of Reanimal by Tarsier Studios left me intrigued yet slightly apprehensive. The similarities between the two games are uncanny, with grotesque animal body horror taking center stage in Reanimal – a twist that, while intriguing, might feel a tad too familiar for my liking.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got some exciting news to share! It turns out that the game Tarsier Studios is currently working on isn’t Little Nightmares 3 as initially assumed, but something new called Reanimal. Despite the difference, it’s quite tricky to tell them apart at a glance. The announcement trailer for Reanimal during Gamescom Opening Night Live gave us a peek into the world they’ve created, and it seems like they’ve taken the eerie atmosphere, gameplay mechanics, and design philosophy from Little Nightmares and given it a fresh coat of paint for this new project. This time around, they’re focusing more on creating a chilling experience that revolves around grotesque animal body horror. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!

It’s certainly an interesting choice to have Reanimal be so unabashedly indiscernible from Little Nightmares, but this conviction suggests that Tarsier has found an incredibly specific niche and perhaps wanted to explore a new IP with it rather than be stuck trudging through the same mud of established lore it would need to continue building against as opposed to creating a new narrative framework. Little Nightmares’ story is arguably less enticing or engrossing than the atmosphere it’s steeped in, too, and Tarsier branching out with its now-seminal horror niche could ironically pave the way for endless creativity.

Reanimal Launching Anywhere Near Little Nightmares 3 Will Expose Each Other’s Achilles’ Heels

It’s intriguing to consider the reception of both Tarsier’s “Reanimal” and Supermassive’s “Little Nightmares 3,” given that they are both in development and were showcased at Gamescom Opening Night Live. If these games happen to release around the same time, it will be fascinating to observe how they fare against each other, as they share many similarities but also have unique aspects. Close examination reveals distinct qualities for each game, but any missteps in gameplay or atmosphere could significantly impact their success.

Modern games are often compared to each other even when they share few commonalities, like comparing stray open-world or action RPG games. However, Reanimal and Little Nightmares 3 spark such discussions due to their minimal differences. In defense of Reanimal, it’s a fresh start for the franchise as Supermassive is stepping into it with this third installment, while Tarsier was in charge beforehand. This new title by the series creator has a chance to make a strong impact on players.

If anything, playing Reanimal and Little Nightmares 3 will provide an opportunity to determine whether players appreciate the Little Nightmares franchise as a whole or if they are just captivated by Tarsier’s unique accomplishments within it.

Regardless of Supermassive’s impressive work on Little Nightmares 3, they might face harsher criticism if their game shares too many similarities with a new Tarsier IP, which seems to be another horror game focusing on grotesque, reanimated animal corpses and eerie character designs. This could be the case because Tarsier is known for these elements, and if Reanimal looks like a carbon copy of Little Nightmares, it might not fare as well without its own unique identity.

Reanimal is Tarsier’s Way of Moving on from Little Nightmares, But Not Really

Reanimal currently holds an advantage due to the fascination that the unexpected and unconventional often brings in horror genres. The fact that Tarsier Studios has adopted Little Nightmares, while Reanimal continues its development, creates a compelling curiosity. However, it’s essential for Reanimal to demonstrate innovation beyond its gameplay, atmosphere, and visual style. Although it might not push the boundaries of originality extensively, Tarsier Studios, being the creators of Little Nightmares, would undoubtedly receive leniency.

Instead of The Callisto Protocol attempting to replicate what made Dead Space popular, but arguably falling short, Tarsier Studios is in a stronger position because it doesn’t stray too far from Little Nightmares before introducing something new with Reanimal. Moreover, Tarsier seems intent on preserving as much of its distinctive, successful elements as they can, which could prove to be their greatest asset when the dust settles following the release of Reanimal – a fresh take that Tarsier’s horror-platformer genre desperately needed.

Reanimal is currently in development.

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2024-08-23 23:03