Highlights
- Little Nightmares 2 may not feel as fresh as the first game, but it still delivers a brilliant atmosphere and story that players will enjoy.
-
Yume Nikki, Lisa: The Painful, Omori, Inscryption, and Machinarium are all great
games
that fans of Little Nightmares 2 should check out for similar experiences. - Detention, Among the Sleep, Limbo, It Takes Two, Inside, Bendy and the Ink Machine, and Unravel are also worth playing for their unique gameplay mechanics and engaging stories.
Little Nightmares 2
was
released in early 2021, and both horror and platformer fans have been enjoying it ever since. Continuing the story of the first game, Six teams up with Mono, the playable character in this installment, as the pair make their way through the Pale City to get to the Signal Tower. In their journey, they face many threats that are even scarier than the ones from the original title.
With the game having now been out for a while, however, many gamers have already beaten it and now find themselves looking for something similar to play. Though in many ways the game is unique, that’s not to say that there aren’t other
games like
Little Nightmares 2
that fans of the title will surely enjoy.
Updated October 19, 2023 by Ritwik Mitra:
Little Nightmares 2 was a great sequel in every way, even if players felt like it didn’t feel as fresh or unique as the first game. The sequel may have gone down a safe route, but that didn’t make Little Nightmares 2 bad by any stretch of the imagination. The title’s atmosphere and story were still pretty brilliant in their own right, and it’s easy to see why people might want to play more
games like Little Nightmares
.
12
Yume Nikki
Yume Nikki
-
Platform(s)
-
PC
-
Released
-
June 26, 2004
-
Genre(s)
-
Adventure
-
Developer
-
Kikiyama
Yume Nikki
is one of the most legendary RPG Maker games of all time that developed a massive fanbase. Players control a hikikomori in the game who prefers to drift off into her dreams instead of tackling reality, with players witnessing a ton of trippy visuals and interacting with many imaginative
characters
that reside in her subconscious.
However,
Yume Nikki
doesn’t shy away from disturbing elements that come out of nowhere, shocking players to their very core. This game can veer from something bizarre to extremely disturbing in no time flat, making it clear why so many fans still love this game even now.
11
Lisa: The Painful
There’s no denying that
Lisa: The Painful
is one of the funniest games that players can check out, with this title set in a post-apocalyptic world filled to the brim with some of the most eccentric and weird characters that can join Brad’s party. However, the game doesn’t shy away from some dark and disturbing elements when the situation calls for it.
Brad is a fascinating protagonist, mainly because he’s not a good guy by any stretch of the imagination. In his attempts to shelter Buddy, he just ended up being too overprotective and didn’t take her feelings into account.
10
Omori
OMORI
-
Platform(s)
-
PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
-
Released
-
December 25, 2020
-
Developer
-
Omocat
-
Genre(s)
-
Horror, RPG
Omori
is one of the greatest modern RPGs, featuring a mind-bending plot, a cute art style, and one of the most unique integrations of horror seen in any game to date. Uncovering the story of Sunny and figuring out why he became a shut-in, to begin with, makes for a tantalizing tale as players help him face his trauma and become fast
friends
with the group once again.
The game is not for the faint-hearted and deals with many disturbing themes. The manner in which Sunny’s traumatic past is uncovered makes for a great time, and that’s not the only strength of this title. The music is simply sublime and conveys the light-heartedness of the world that Sunny retreats into while also becoming quite sinister as players explore the more horrific aspects of this game.
9
Inscryption
Inscryption
-
Platform(s)
-
PC, PS4, PS5
-
Released
-
October 19, 2021
-
Genre(s)
-
Roguelike, Deckbuilding
-
Developer(s)
-
Daniel Mullins Games
-
Publisher(s)
-
Devolver Digital
-
ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Strong Language, Violence
-
How Long To Beat
-
13 Hours
-
PS Plus Availability
-
Extra & Premium
Inscryption
is a game that will take many people by surprise, disguising itself as a regular card game before revealing its true nature in a horrifying manner that will shock players to their very core as they try to uncover the depths of this mystery. The gameplay elements of
Inscryption
are truly one-of-a-kind and worth checking out for fans of imaginative horror titles.
The game is a great example of what indie developers can achieve with unshackled restrictions and boundless creativity. Fans of horror games owe it to themselves to check
Inscryption
out, especially if they are fans of
Little Nightmares 2
. However, players should keep in mind that this game can get pretty scary at times — even more so than
Little Nightmares
!
8
Machinarium
Machinarium
may not be a horror title, but the mysterious and engrossing nature of this world, coupled with its riveting art style, makes it a game that fans of unique adventure games should check out. The puzzles in
Machinarium
can be pretty challenging to overcome, but players who try out all the logical permutations and combinations should be able to get through this game without getting too frustrated.
What sells
Machinarium
is its expressive design and animation,
making everything come to life in the best way possible. It takes something really special to make a steampunk world stand out with no humans whatsoever, and
Machinarium
manages to do exactly that while gripping players in a unique adventure that is entertaining from start to end.
7
Detention
Detention
-
Platform(s)
-
PC, PS4, Switch
-
Released
-
January 12, 2017
-
Genre(s)
-
Horror
-
How Long To Beat
-
4 Hours
-
Developer
-
RedCandleGames
-
Publisher
-
Coconut Island Games, RedCandleGames
Set during the White Terror period of 1960s Taiwan,
Detention
is one of the scariest video games ever created. Its distinctive art style does an incredible job of creating a moody and unsettling atmosphere, while the fantastically designed lingered pose an everpresent and terrifying threat for players to attempt to navigate.
Rarely do all of the elements of a game fit together quite as neatly as the ones
found
here, nor are there many other games capable of maintaining their suspense levels anywhere near as effectively. There are times when playing the game can feel a little like psychological torture, although gradually learning about the history of the cursed school while edging ever closer toward the inevitable tragedy arguably makes it all worthwhile.
6
Among The Sleep
Among the Sleep
-
Platform(s)
-
PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
-
Released
-
May 29, 2014
-
Genre(s)
-
Survival Horror, Action-Adventure
-
Developer(s)
-
Krillbite Studios
-
Publisher(s)
-
Krillbite Studios
Krillbite Studio’s fantastic survival horror title
Among the Sleep
came about following a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2013, and it didn’t disappoint. The decision to place players into the shoes of a toddler rather than a fully grown adult raises the stakes quite a bit when it comes to some of the game’s darker moments, while the game’s use of lighting, color, and sound is masterful at times.
Granted, the story is a little short, and there aren’t all that many truly scary moments, but a lot of the horror found in
Among the Sleep
is derived not from jump-scares but instead through implication. There are a few nice twists and turns in the narrative as well, while the alternate ending found in the enhanced edition of the game provides a harrowing conclusion that’s befitting of such an excellent game.
5
Limbo
Limbo
-
Platform(s)
-
PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS Vita, Switch, PC, Android, iOS
-
Released
-
July 21, 2010
-
Genre(s)
-
Platformer
-
Developer(s)
-
Playdead
-
Publisher(s)
-
Playdead
-
ESRB
-
T For Teen due to Animated Blood, Mild Violence
-
How Long To Beat
-
5 Hours
-
X|S Enhanced
-
No
-
File Size Xbox Series
-
212 MB (August 2023)
At the beginning of
Little Nightmares 2
, players have to avoid the dangers that Mono faces in a forest until he finally arrives at the cabin where he meets Six. Playdead’s
Limbo
is another creepy platformer that takes place in a forest, and it boasts plenty of similar obstacles to the ones found in
Little Nightmares 2
as well.
Players control a young boy who needs to solve puzzles, with each one being harder than the last. It all makes for an excellent adventure that will keep the player glued firmly to the edge of their seat right through to the end of the game. The title also has a very simplistic yet unique art style that many will likely find appealing.
4
It Takes Two
It Takes Two
-
Platform(s)
-
PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Switch
-
Released
-
March 26, 2021
-
Genre(s)
-
Action, Adventure
-
Developer(s)
-
Hazelight Studios
Although it’s not a horror game by any means,
It Takes Two
should appeal to those who enjoyed the cooperative mechanics of
Little Nightmares 2
, as well as the unfolding relationship between Six and Mono. It’s an engaging and entertaining experience, especially if players team up with a friend or loved one cooperatively as opposed to matching up with a random stranger
online
. There is a lot to see and enjoy in the beautifully designed world of
It Takes Two
.
Many can consider it a great foil to
Little Nightmares 2
, as it features the same premise of two small individuals trying to make their way through a larger-than-life world filled with danger and puzzles.
3
Inside
Inside
-
Platform(s)
-
PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One, iOS
-
Released
-
June 29, 2016
-
Genre(s)
-
Puzzle, Platformer
-
Developer(s)
-
Playdead
Another game made by Playdead is
Inside
, which is basically
Limbo
‘s spiritual successor. In fact, many players think that it’s even better than the studio’s first game. The setting also shares more than a few similarities with Pale City from
Little Nightmares 2
, and the game even begins, once again, in a dark and daunting forest.
The unnamed protagonist of the game finds out that people are being controlled by researchers and uses one of their devices to manipulate the actions of others to solve the many puzzles found throughout the game. Like the
Little Nightmares
games, many things are up for interpretation, causing fans to create many theories as to what is actually happening.
2
Bendy And The Ink Machine
Bendy and the Ink Machine
-
Platform(s)
-
Switch, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, PC, Android
-
Genre(s)
-
Survival Horror
-
Developer(s)
-
Joey Drew Studios
Bendy and the Ink Machine
takes place in Joey Drew Studios, where cartoon characters such as Alice, Boris, and the Devil Darling himself can be found. Henry, a man who worked at the studio and created these characters, comes back to it years after leaving and finds that his creations have not only come to life but are also trying to murder him.
Players are placed in the shoes of Henry and must fight off the animated characters as they explore Joey Drew Studios in this awesome indie title. The daunting atmosphere does a wonderful job of creating suspense right through to the very end, and it’s this ever-present tension that helped make the game such a big hit with both players and streamers alike upon its initial release.
1
Unravel
Unravel
-
Platform(s)
-
PS4, Xbox One, PC
-
Released
-
February 9, 2016
-
Genre(s)
-
Puzzle, Platformer
-
Developer(s)
-
Coldwood Interactive
If
Little Nightmares
didn’t have any horror elements, it would be a lot like
Unravel
. As such, the game is great for those who don’t want to be constantly freaked out but are still looking for an excellent and atmospheric adventure. They’ll be controlling Yarny, a creature made out of yarn, as they explore the memories of an elderly woman.
Some of these memories are good, others are bad, but just about every aspect of this puzzle platformer is beautiful, both in its design and its presentation. The protagonist and his friends are charming, the controls are simple yet effective, and the soundtrack perfectly compliments everything that’s going on onscreen.
VIA:
GameRant.com

