If you’ve ever been captivated by the beautifully unsettling worlds of Little Nightmares, then get ready for your next obsession. Tarsier Studios, the original creators of that iconic series, are back with a brand new game called REANIMAL, and it looks every bit as creepy and creative as you’d hope. Even better, you don’t have to wait to play it. A surprise demo just dropped as part of the Steam Next Fest, giving everyone a first taste of this new nightmare.
Published by THQ Nordic, REANIMAL takes the atmospheric horror Tarsier is famous for and adds a compelling new twist: it’s designed from the ground up to be a cooperative experience. This isn’t just a single-player game with a co-op mode tacked on; it’s a journey you’re meant to share. So grab a friend, turn down the lights, and get ready to go through hell together.
What Is REANIMAL?
REANIMAL tells the story of a brother and sister who must navigate a hellish island to rescue their missing friends. The game plunges players into a world that feels both hauntingly beautiful and deeply dangerous. You’ll explore by boat and on land, solving puzzles and evading a host of new, twisted monsters that could only come from the minds at Tarsier Studios.
The developers describe it as a story of “horror with hope.” It’s an unsettling tale, but at its heart, it’s about two orphans on a desperate search for redemption in the darkest of places. The game promises a rich, fragmented story where the main path is just one part of a much larger mystery waiting to be uncovered.
A Shared Nightmare: How Co-op Changes Everything
The most exciting feature of REANIMAL is its focus on cooperative play. You can play it solo, but the experience is built around two players-either online or in local couch co-op. The game even uses a shared, directed camera designed to maximize feelings of claustrophobia and tension. You’re always on the same screen, forced to stick together and coordinate your movements.
This creates a unique dynamic you don’t often see in horror games. You have the comfort of a friend by your side, but you also have the shared responsibility for their survival. If one of you makes a mistake, you both pay the price. It’s a design that’s bound to create some unforgettable moments of panic, relief, and maybe a little bit of panicked yelling at each other.
What to Expect from the Demo
The demo, available now on Steam, throws you right into the beginning of the story. You’ll experience the reunion of the orphaned siblings and explore the first few eerie environments, including a creepy mill and a desolate trainyard. It’s the perfect introduction to the game’s tone, mechanics, and the dark mystery that binds the world together.
Early impressions from players highlight the incredible atmosphere, noting that while it feels more realistic than Little Nightmares, it maintains that same surreal and gloomy vibe that Tarsier Studios is known for. It’s a promising first look at what could be one of the most exciting horror games of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is REANIMAL?
- REANIMAL is a new cooperative horror adventure game from Tarsier Studios, the original creators of the Little Nightmares series.
- Is REANIMAL a sequel to Little Nightmares?
- No, it is a brand new IP with its own world and story, though it shares a similar atmospheric and visual style.
- How does the co-op work?
- The game can be played solo or with a friend in either local or online co-op. It features a shared camera to keep both players on the same screen.
- Where can I play the demo?
- The demo is currently available for PC on Steam as part of the Steam Next Fest: October 2025 Edition.
- When does the full game release?
- REANIMAL is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2026.
- What platforms will REANIMAL be on?
- The full game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Conclusion
Tarsier Studios carved out a special place in the horror genre with Little Nightmares, and REANIMAL looks poised to be a worthy and terrifying successor to that legacy. The focus on cooperative play is a brilliant evolution of their formula, promising a horror experience that is both deeply personal and intensely social. The demo offers a tantalizing glimpse into a world that is dripping with atmosphere and mystery. If you’re a fan of horror, or just looking for a great game to play with a friend, you owe it to yourself to check out the REANIMAL demo. Just be prepared to have your nerves tested.