Little Nightmares is a puzzle platformer horror game developed by Tarsier Studios. It was released by the Bandai Namco Entertainment on April 28, 2017 for PC, Xbox One, and PS4, May 18, 2018 for Nintendo Switch, and Dec 12, 2023 for iOS and Android. The story of the little nightmares is the journey of Six, there’s a hungry little girl who must have to escape the Maw, an iron vessel filled with horrible, deformed creatures.
If you’re looking for a similar eerie adventure in 2024, fear not! This list explores 15 best horror games like little nightmares that capture the essence of Little Nightmares, offering unique stories, chilling environments, and suspenseful gameplay that shock the gamers.
What are Some Games Like Little Nightmares?
Following are just a few examples to whet your hunger for a spooky adventure. With a variety of gameplay styles and chilling narratives.
Limbo
Limbo is a horror-themed puzzle platform video game developed by Playdead, its an independent Danish video game developer. The main character of the Limbo was a nameless boy, searching for his sister, who wakes up in the middle of the forest on the “edge hell”, where he faced a huge spider who want to kill him.
Key Features:
- Monochromatic art style: Limbo captivates players with its unique and striking monochromatic art style that adds depth and mystery to the game.
- Puzzle-solving mechanics: The game stands out with its intricate puzzle-solving mechanics, challenging players to think creatively and strategically to navigate through the game.
- Atmospheric and eerie world: Limbo immerses players in an atmospheric and eerie world, creating a sense of tension and suspense that enhances the gaming experience.
About:
- Platform(s) PS4 , PS3 , Xbox One , Xbox 360 , PS Vita , Switch , PC , Android , iOS
- Released July 21, 2010
- Developer(s) Playdead
- Genre(s) Platformer
Inside
Inside is a puzzle platform game developed and published by the Playdead. The game story starts in a deep dark and intense forest. The main character of the Inside was nameless guy, the boy starts his story under the charge of the guards who stop him to explore the facility. There was a company “Dark Project” who kidnapped the humans and apply different experiments on it. We have to solve different puzzles and mysteries to reach further.
Key Features:
- Engaging narrative: Inside captivates players with its deeply engaging narrative that keeps players hooked till the end.
- Stunning visuals: The game stands out with its stunning visuals, creating a visually rich and immersive gaming experience.
- Challenging puzzles: Inside offers a series of challenging puzzles that require players to think strategically and creatively to progress in the game.
About:
- Platform(s) PC , Switch , PS4 , Xbox One , iOS
- Released June 29, 2016
- Developer(s) Playdead
- Genre(s) Puzzle , Platformer
Yume Nikki
Yume Nikki is an adventure game created by the Japanese developer Kikiyama in 2004. In this game, you have to control a girl whose name was “Madotsuki” and have to explore her dreams. She was stuck in her room, and unable to access any support. The player has to explore her dreams and collect 24 different effects which change her appearance and equipment when used.
Key Features:
- Intriguing Exploration: Yume Nikki engages players with its intriguing exploration mechanics, inviting players to uncover the mysteries of its world.
- Unique Visuals: The game stands out with its unique visuals, creating a distinctive and immersive gaming experience.
- Minimalist Storytelling: Yume Nikki employs minimalist storytelling, allowing players to piece together the narrative through their own interpretations.
About:
- Platform(s) PC
- Released June 26, 2004
- Developer Kikiyama
- Genre(s) Adventure
Fran Bow
Fran Bow is a psychological horror adventure game. In this game, there was a young girl named “Fran” as she escapes from a mental asylum. The game’s hand-drawn art style and disturbing imagery create a uniquely unsettling experience. The game contains dark themes and challenging puzzles.
Key Features:
- Hand-drawn art style: Fran Bow captivates players with its hand-drawn art style, creating a visually rich and unique gaming experience.
- Psychological horror: The game stands out with its psychological horror elements, immersing players in a deeply unsettling and suspenseful atmosphere.
- Intriguing puzzles: Fran Bow offers a series of intriguing puzzles that challenge players to think creatively and strategically to progress in the game.
About:
- Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, Android, PS4, macOS, iOS
- Released August 17, 2015
- Developer Killmonday Games
- Genre(s) Indie game, Adventure game, Puzzle Video Game, Adventure
Sally Face
Sally Face is a beautifully animated and darkly funny interactive game where players guide Sally, a boy with a blue pigtail and prosthetic face, as he navigates his way through a dreamlike world filled with engaging narratives and challenging puzzles.
Key Features:
- Engaging narrative with a unique storyline: Sally Face captivates players with its darkly humorous and deeply engaging narrative.
- Beautifully animated visuals: The game stands out with its beautifully crafted animation, bringing the characters and settings to life.
- Challenging puzzles that require strategic thinking: Sally Face offers a series of challenging puzzles that require players to think strategically to progress in the game.
About:
- Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PS4, Linux, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS
- Released August 16, 2016
- Developer(s) Portable Moose, The Knights of Unity
- Genre(s) Indie game, Adventure game, Adventure
Bendy and the Ink Machine
This is a first-person puzzle-action-horror game that begins in the far days past of animation and ends in a very dark future. With twists and turns at every corner, you never know who or what is waiting for you in this creepy, inky abyss.
Key Features:
- Intriguing plot with unexpected twists: Bendy and the Ink Machine offers a captivating narrative that keeps players on their toes with its unexpected plot twists.
- Vintage cartoon-style graphics: The game’s unique, vintage cartoon-style graphics create a distinctive and immersive gaming atmosphere.
- Puzzle-solving intertwined with action elements: The gameplay of Bendy and the Ink Machine is a unique blend of puzzle-solving and action, providing a diverse and engaging gaming experience.
About:
- Platform(s) Android, Nintendo Switch, PS4, iOS, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux
- Released February 10, 2017
- Developer(s) TheMeatly Games, Kindly Beast, Joey Drew Studios
- Genre(s) Indie game, Adventure game, Puzzle Video Game, Survival horror, Fighting game, Adventure, Strategy
Little Nightmares 2
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. Together with Six, the girl in a yellow raincoat, set out to discover the grim secrets of the world whilst fleeing from the monstrous residents out to capture you.
Key Features:
- Suspenseful storyline that keeps players engaged: Little Nightmares 2 features a suspenseful storyline that keeps players engaged and intrigued throughout the game.
- Distinctive art style creating an eerie atmosphere: The game’s distinctive art style contributes to creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere that enhances the horror gaming experience.
- Puzzles that challenge players’ problem-solving skills: Little Nightmares 2 offers a variety of puzzles that challenge players’ problem-solving skills and add depth to the gameplay.
About:
- Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, GeForce Now
- Released February 10, 2021
- Developer(s) Tarsier Studios, Supermassive Games
- Genre(s) Adventure game, Puzzle Video Game, Platform game, Survival horror
Detention
Detention is a unique atmospheric horror game heavily influenced by Taiwanese/East Asian culture, religious elements and mythology. Based on 1960’s Taiwan under martial law, in this 2D atmospheric horror side-scroller, the player control characters who venture into the school beset by hostile supernatural events to uncover stories behind the haunted place.
Key Features:
- Deep, meaningful narrative with cultural references: This game features a deep and meaningful narrative that is enriched with cultural references, providing an immersive gaming experience.
- Atmospheric visuals with a unique art style: The game’s atmospheric visuals and unique art style contribute to creating a haunting and eerie gaming atmosphere.
- Variety of puzzles enhancing the horror experience: It offers a variety of puzzles that enhance the horror experience and challenge players’ problem-solving skills.
About:
- Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, Android, PS4, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
- Released January 12, 2017
- Developer Red Candle Games
- Genre(s) Adventure game, Indie game, Puzzle Video Game, Survival horror, Adventure
Unravel
Unravel introduces Yarny, a tiny, new character made from a single thread of yarn, who embarks on a seemingly larger than life journey through the breath-taking, lush environments of Northern Scandinavia. Using Yarny’s small thread and big heart, traverse nature’s obstacles through different physics-based puzzles in this unique puzzle platformer!
Key Features:
- Heartwarming story that captivates players: Unravel features a heartwarming story that captivates players and adds depth to the gaming experience.
- Stunning visuals showcasing Northern Scandinavia: The game’s stunning visuals showcase the beauty of Northern Scandinavia, creating a visually appealing gaming environment.
- Physics-based puzzles providing a unique challenge: Unravel offers physics-based puzzles that provide a unique challenge and add depth to the gameplay.
About:
- Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
- Relased February 9, 2016
- Developer(s) Coldwood Interactive AB, Coldwood Interactive
- Genre(s) Platform game, Puzzle Video Game, Adventure
Pathologic
Pathologic is a unique survival horror game that tells a dark and mysterious story set in a town being consumed by a deadly plague. As the only sane medic around, save the town before it’s fully consumed.
Key Features:
- Dark and mysterious storyline: Pathologic features a dark and mysterious storyline that keeps players engaged and intrigued throughout the game.
- Immersive visuals that complement the horror theme: The game’s immersive visuals complement the horror theme and enhance the gaming experience.
- Survival elements that add to the game’s challenge: Pathologic incorporates survival elements that add to the game’s challenge and depth.
About:
- Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, IBM PC compatible
- Released June 9, 2005
- Developer Ice-Pick Lodge
- Genre(s) Role-playing Video Game, Action-adventure game
Among The Sleep
Among the Sleep is a first-person horror adventure where you play as a two-year-old. You’re vulnerable, scared, and trying to make sense of the world. It explores horror through atmosphere and exploration, not with scores and combat systems.
Key Features:
- Unique perspective of playing as a two-year-old: Among The Sleep offers a unique perspective by allowing players to play as a two-year-old, providing a fresh and unique gaming experience.
- Eerie visuals enhancing the horror experience: The game’s eerie visuals enhance the horror experience and create a haunting gaming atmosphere.
- Exploration and puzzle-solving gameplay: Among The Sleep features exploration and puzzle-solving gameplay that challenges players and adds depth to the game.
About:
- Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
- Released May 29, 2014
- Developer Krillbite Studio
- Genre(s) Adventure game, Puzzle Video Game
The Pathless
Become the Hunter, a master of archery who travels to a mystical island to dispel a curse of darkness that grips the world. Forge a connection with your eagle companion as you hunt corrupted spirits, but be careful not to become the hunted yourself. Explore misty forests full of secrets, solve puzzles in ancient ruins, and test your skill in epic battles.
Key Features:
- Epic adventure with a gripping narrative: The Pathless is an epic adventure game with a gripping narrative that keeps players engaged throughout the game.
- Visually stunning open world: The game features a visually stunning open world that provides a visually appealing and immersive gaming environment.
- Skill-based archery and puzzle-solving mechanics: The Pathless incorporates skill-based archery and puzzle-solving mechanics that provide a unique and engaging gaming experience.
About:
- Platform(s) PS5, Nintendo Switch, iOS, PS4
- Released 2020
- Developer Giant Squid
- Genre(s) Indie game, Action-adventure game, Adventure
Contrast
Contrast is a puzzle/platform game where you can move between a fantastic 3D world and a mysterious shadowy universe in 2D. You play Dawn, the imaginary friend of a young girl named Didi. Together, they will delve into a dreamlike and surreal 1920s world, inspired by the performance art world of vaudeville and film noir, and cradled by a jazzy atmosphere.
Key Features:
- Engaging story set in a dreamlike 1920s world: Contrast features an engaging story set in a dreamlike 1920s world, providing an immersive and unique gaming experience.
- Unique gameplay mechanics allowing players to shift between dimensions: The game offers unique gameplay mechanics that allow players to shift between dimensions, adding depth and diversity to the gameplay.
- Puzzles that require manipulating light and shadows: Contrast offers puzzles that require players to manipulate light and shadows, providing a unique challenge and enhancing the gameplay.
About:
- Platform(s) Xbox Cloud Gaming, Android, PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, PS3, Xbox 360
- Released November 15, 2013
- Developer Compulsion Games
- Genre(s) Platform game, Puzzle Video Game
We Happy Few
We Happy Few is the tale of a plucky bunch of moderately terrible people trying to escape from a lifetime of cheerful denial. Set in a drug-fuelled, retrofuturistic city in an alternative 1960s England, you’ll have to blend in with its other inhabitants, who have their own set of not-so-normal rules.
Key Features:
- Distinctive narrative set in a retrofuturistic city: We Happy Few features a distinctive narrative set in a retrofuturistic city, providing a unique and immersive gaming experience.
- Striking visuals with a unique art style: The game’s striking visuals and unique art style create a visually appealing gaming environment.
- Gameplay that combines survival and role-playing elements: We Happy Few offers gameplay that combines survival and role-playing elements, providing a diverse and engaging gaming experience.
About:
- Platform(s) Xbox Cloud Gaming, PS4, Xbox One
- Released July 26, 2016
- Developer Compulsion Games
- Genre(s) Action-adventure game, Survival horror, Fighting game, Walking simulator
DARQ: Complete Edition
DARQ tells the story of Lloyd, a boy who becomes aware of the fact that he is dreaming. The dream quickly turns into a nightmare and all attempts to wake up end in failure. Lloyd learns how to survive the nightmare by bending the laws of physics and manipulating the fluid fabric of the dream world.
Key Features:
- Intriguing plot set in a dream world: This game features an intriguing plot set in a dream world, providing an immersive and unique gaming experience.
- Dark and atmospheric visuals: The game’s dark and atmospheric visuals enhance the horror gaming experience and create a haunting gaming atmosphere.
- Puzzles that involve bending the laws of physics: It offers puzzles that involve bending the laws of physics, providing a unique challenge and adding depth to the gameplay.
About:
- Platform(s) PS5, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
- Released December 4, 2020
- Developer Unfold Games
- Genre(s) Puzzle Video Game, Adventure game, Indie game, Adventure
Conclusion
Whether you’re a fan of puzzle-platformers, survival horror games, or just looking for a unique gaming experience, there’s something on this list for everyone. So why wait? Dive into these games and uncover a world of horror and adventure that awaits you.
Remember, gaming is not just about entertainment, it’s about living a thousand lives, experiencing things you might never get to in the real world, and most importantly, having fun. So, pick up your controller, turn off the lights, and get ready for some heart-pounding gaming experiences in 2024.
