You Can Play Little Nightmares 3 Now, Even Though It Isn’t Out Yet

You Can Play Little Nightmares 3 Now, Even Though It Isn’t Out Yet

Fans of Tarsier Studios’ delightfully disturbing Little Nightmares games have been waiting years for the next instalment. 2017’s original game introduced us to the Maw, a grotesque vessel filled with cannibalistic giants and puzzle‑platforming nightmares. Its 2021 sequel, Little Nightmares II, took us deeper into the series’ surreal universe, plunging a pair of children into TV‑obsessed cities and a deranged school. Now a new chapter is on the horizon: Little Nightmares III promises to expand the creepy universe with new characters, cooperative gameplay and more twisted landscapes. The full game doesn’t release until October 10 2025, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to step back into the darkness.

What makes Little Nightmares 3 special?

Little Nightmares III continues the series’ signature blend of horror, platforming and environmental storytelling, but it also introduces several big changes. The story follows Low and Alone, two children trapped in the Spiral, a cluster of distorted lands connected by mysterious mirrors. The pair must work together to escape, using each character’s unique tool: Low’s bow can cut ropes and hit distant targets, while Alone’s wrench smashes barriers and manipulates machines. According to Bandai Namco’s official site, players will navigate “horrific monsters” and unsettling locales, including the Necropolis, Candy Factory and filthy funfair.

For the first time in the franchise, Little Nightmares 3 is designed around online co‑operative play. You and a friend can connect on the same platform to traverse the Spiral together. Players who prefer to go solo can still experience the story with an AI companion who will help solve puzzles and share the burden of survival. This shift toward co‑op, combined with Supermassive Games’ cinematic storytelling, should give the third game a very different tone compared with its predecessors.

Yes, you can play it now – here’s how

Even though the full version won’t be on store shelves until October, a free playable demo is available right now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 and PC. Publisher Bandai Namco released the demo on September 17 2025. In their announcement the company explained that the demo offers the game’s opening section, set in the Necropolis. The 30‑minute slice captures the series’ tense atmosphere by letting you climb through crumbling ruins, solve environmental puzzles and sneak past a hulking Monster Baby whose gaze can turn you to stone. It’s a self‑contained experience, so progress doesn’t carry over to the full game, but it provides an early taste of the mechanics and tone.

On PlayStation consoles you can grab the demo via the PS Store. A Push Square news story notes that the demo’s save file won’t transfer to the full game, but you’ll be able to roam the Necropolis and test the new mechanics. Xbox and Nintendo users can download it from their respective digital storefronts, and PC players can find it on Steam. If you want to get even closer to the launch version, Bandai Namco also offers early access to a larger portion of the game when you pre‑order a digital copy. The official site states that players who pre‑order on PS5, Xbox Series X|S or PC will be able to begin playing before release, though early access entitlements are platform‑specific and subject to change.

What the demo includes

The Necropolis section demonstrates the series’ cinematic design. You’ll start by guiding Low and Alone through a labyrinth of towering archways lit by flickering lamps, giving a sense of hopeless scale. The characters’ small silhouettes (depicted in the image below) emphasise their vulnerability in a world built for giants. As in previous games, there are no text prompts or voice‑overs—everything is communicated through the environment. Puzzles revolve around climbing, moving objects and using each child’s tool in tandem: for example, you might need to shoot a rope with Low’s bow to drop a platform while Alone holds open a gate with the wrench. The demo culminates in an encounter with the Monster Baby, a grotesque figure that patrols a nursery filled with toys and bones. To survive you must creep quietly, hide under furniture and use your partner to distract the beast long enough to escape. It’s a fitting tease of the horrors that await in the full game.

Co‑operative play: teamwork is survival

Co‑operative mechanics are the heart of Little Nightmares 3. The game allows two players online on the same platform, with optional AI support for solo adventurers. This design encourages communication and cooperation, with puzzles that require both characters to act simultaneously. Early impressions from journalists suggest that the co‑op introduces a different kind of tension. Where the series traditionally focussed on isolation and helplessness, now there’s the extra responsibility of protecting your partner. This doesn’t dilute the horror—on the contrary, it creates new fears when you’re separated or forced to leave someone behind. According to a preview by Push Square, the co‑op sections can involve some trial‑and‑error and rely on timing, but the core experience remains atmospheric and compelling. If you’re planning to play the full game with a friend, the demo is a great way to practice coordination and see how the controls feel.

The wider world of Little Nightmares 3

Beyond the Necropolis, Bandai Namco’s descriptions hint at a varied and twisted world. Locations like the Candy Factory and a filthy funfair promise sinister takes on childhood staples. The Spiral is filled with monstrous residents, and even the environment itself is dangerous. The story will delve into the protagonists’ pasts, with “traumatic flashes” surfacing as you explore. Long‑time fans will recognise nods to previous games, including a costume set that evokes the first game’s protagonist, Six. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes two downloadable expansions and cosmetic packs, giving players more reasons to revisit the Spiral when the final game launches.

How to prepare for the release

If you haven’t played the earlier entries, there’s still time to catch up. Little Nightmares and Little Nightmares II are both available on modern platforms and can often be found on sale. They establish the series’ tone and lore, and playing them will enrich your understanding of the world. That said, Bandai Namco confirms that Little Nightmares 3 is a standalone story. You don’t need prior knowledge to enjoy the new adventure, though you might recognise certain motifs and creatures. If you enjoy puzzle platformers with a horror twist, the demo should help you decide whether the full game is for you.

To get ready, follow these steps:

1. Download the demo from your preferred platform’s store (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo or Steam) and play through the Necropolis section.
2. If you like what you see, pre‑order the digital version to secure early access and bonus costumes.
3. Invite a friend to play with you online to experience the new co‑op mechanics.
4. Catch up on earlier games or watch recaps if you want to understand the broader narrative.

Final thoughts

Little Nightmares 3 looks poised to deliver another chilling adventure that balances childlike wonder with grotesque horror. The ability to play a demo right now offers a rare opportunity to experience the atmosphere, puzzles and co‑op dynamics well before launch. As you explore the dark corridors and help Low and Alone escape the Necropolis, you’ll get a glimpse of the creativity and craft that Supermassive Games is bringing to the series. The full release on October 10 2025 can’t come soon enough, but until then, there’s plenty of nightmare fuel to keep you awake.

For more details and the latest updates, visit the official Bandai Namco site or read Gematsu’s report on the demo release.