Little Nightmares Complete Edition Review – Still haunting our dreams

Little Nightmares initially released just over a year ago on Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Featuring a creepy aesthetic, you play as a small child trying to navigate a dark and unfamiliar world while avoiding being detected and captured by a range of horrible, disgusting creatures that are straight out of the worst nightmare you ever had when you were younger. The side-scrolling puzzle platformer was reminiscent of Limbo and INSIDE before it, and is now here in its Complete Edition form on the Nintendo Switch.

In our original review, we said: “Little Nightmares is an uneasy delve into a grotesque and uncomfortable world. It’s an experience that excels at making you feel insignificant within your surroundings and powerless against the monstrosities you’re escaping. With visual design and sound design at the top of their classes, it’s a real shame that Little Nightmares struggles in some other fundamental ways. Little Nightmares is a short and imperfect experience, but an experience I would recommend nonetheless”

Little Nightmares is actually a perfect fit for the Switch. Where it may have been lost in the clutter during its initial release, the title stands out being a horror game that you can play portably. HD Rumble is also an included feature in this version which adds to the already scary atmosphere. Side-scrolling puzzle games of this type work very well in short bursts when commuting, allowing you to complete sections on the go. I was enamored with the choice to leave large sections of the game with minimal sound, building on the tension and only ramping up when there was an enemy on my tail. Dark corners beg to be explored with just the light from the flame in my hand and environments all are haunting, with the hulking creatures grotesque and disgusting.

The niggling issues that we had found with the original release are present here in this Complete Edition too. Platforming feels floaty and finicky at times, especially when it comes to grabbing onto ledges with the right trigger. Animations sometimes make it unclear whether you’ve landed a jump properly or not, resulting in death. Penalty for failing is fine, but in particular the lengthy loading screen feels like a harsh punishment, especially frustrating when replaying a section multiple times.

It’s also still decidedly short, taking only a few hours to complete (and a bit more with the included extra content). This ensures that the tone remains consistent throughout and is a quick, memorable and tense experience, but once you’ve finished the game there aren’t a lot of reasons to go back and play through it again.

In terms of the additional content, Little Nightmares Complete Edition also includes the console pre-order bonus plus all the additional stories from The Secret of the Maw Expansion Pass. You have the option to play as Six or the Kid as soon as the game launches, allowing you to choose either story – but I would recommend starting with the original with Six as the game was designed, as it’s a meatier experience that introduces the mechanics and style in a way that prepares you for the Kid’s story.