Little Nightmares 3already has quite a storied history. OriginalLittle Nightmarescreator Tarsier Studios was bought by Embracer Group back in 2019, but Bandai Namco retained the rights to the IP following the acquisition. The publisher waited a few years before naming a new captain for the cutesy horror series, but in August 2023Little Nightmares 3was announced. Supermassive Games – ofUntil DawnandDark Picturesfame – was confirmed to be developing the sequel.
Little Nightmares 3originally had a 2024 release window, but it never materialized. Then, in May 2024, it was officially delayed to 2025. ButLittle Nightmares 3is almost ready to head out into the world, as Supermassive has just confirmed an July 01, 2025, release date. That sets it up nicely to be theSplit Fictionof spooky season, but there’s a big asterisk attached toLittle Nightmares 3’s co-op.
Split Fiction Has Continued to Prove The Popularity of Story-Driven Co-Op Games
While co-op horde, extraction, and looter shooters are still incredibly popular, story-driven co-op titles aren’t nearly as prevalent in the modern gaming market. But that’s where Hazelight Studios has managed to carve out a healthy niche for itself. Hazelight’s debut title,A Way Out, was released in 2018. It delivered a thrilling prison escape adventure with a unique co-op twist.2021’sIt Takes Twodoubled down on this story-driven co-op approach, delivering an even greater variety of novel gameplay opportunities, and winning The Game Awards' top trophy for doing so.
Earlier this year, Hazelight produced its latest co-op adventure. Much likeIt Takes Two,Split Fictionfully embraced the studio’s distinctive co-op formula, and it earned universal acclaim for its efforts, currently sitting at a higher rating than its predecessor on both OpenCritic and Metacritic.
A key part of Hazelight’s success is its willingness to put local co-op at the forefront of its experiences. Though split-screen multiplayer used to be a staple of gaming thanks togroundbreaking games likeGoldenEye 007,Halo, andBorderlands, it’s sadly become a relic of gaming history.
Each of Hazelight’s games has been made from the ground up with local, split-screen co-op in mind, and that novelty has earned the studio a loyal following. And withSplit Fictionselling two million copies in just its first week, there’s seemingly still a sizable market for these types of experiences.
Little Nightmares 3 Could Have Been Halloween 2025’s Split Fiction If It Wasn’t For One Big Problem
Little Nightmares 3 Doesn’t Have Local Co-Op
Setting itself apart from its predecessors immediately,Little Nightmares 3is putting co-op front and center this time around. This putsLittle Nightmares 3in a great position to ride the wave ofSplit Fiction’s recent success, but it’s missing a key component of Hazelight’s formula; it doesn’t have local co-op.
It’s been officially confirmed several times now thatLittle Nightmares 3will feature online co-op only. According to a 2023 GamesRadar interview with Supermassive game director Wayne Garland, the developer decided to stick with just online co-op as split-screen is often associated with a “party” atmosphere, and that wouldn’t fit withLittle Nightmares 3’s darker tone. Regardless,Little Nightmares 3’s lack of couch co-op is undeniably disappointing, and it feels a little odd given that both characters seem to be on-screen together at all times.
Little Nightmares 3is at least borrowing Hazelight’s “Friend Pass” system, which will let players invite an online friend to play without them needing to buy a second copy of the game.
Little Nightmares 3’s Lack of Local Co-Op Is Particularly Disappointing For One Platform
Little Nightmares 3would have been a perfect local co-op game for the Nintendo Switch 2. The console has two controllers attached at all times, and given the relative simplicity ofLittle Nightmares' usual button layouts, the inputs would probably fit just fine on a sideways Joy-Con. The Switch 2’s larger, better screen would also have allowed for portableLittle Nightmares 3co-op sessions.
