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REANIMAL

REANIMAL Game Cover
80%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, optimization
80% User Score Based on 6,844 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCXbox Game PassPlaystation 5CloudXbox Cloud GamingXboxWindowsPlayStationNintendo Switch 2
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REANIMAL Game Cover

About

REANIMAL is a single player and multiplayer puzzle game with horror and mystery themes. It was developed by Tarsier Studios and was released on February 13, 2026. It received positive reviews from players.

Discover Reanimal on the official PlayStation website. Watch the latest trailers for this bold new horror adventure from the makers of Little Nightmares. Check screenshots and gameplay features and order the game for PS5.

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REANIMAL screenshot
REANIMAL screenshot
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80%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,844 reviews
story523 positive mentions
stability289 negative mentions
  • Stunning visuals, atmosphere, and sound design create a unique and immersive horror experience.
  • Engaging and fun co-op gameplay that enhances the overall experience, with a friend pass allowing only one purchase for two players.
  • Well-crafted environmental storytelling and creature designs that deliver tension and memorable moments.
  • The game is very short, roughly 4-6 hours, which many find not worth the full price without discounts.
  • Frequent bugs, crashes, and severe connectivity issues in online co-op mode significantly degrade the play experience.
  • Story is vague and confusing, with an abrupt ending and significant parts locked behind additional paid DLC content.
  • story
    1,703 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Reanimal" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its dark, atmospheric, and visually captivating environmental storytelling, but noting that it is often vague, confusing, and open to interpretation, requiring players to piece together clues themselves. While some find it compelling and emotionally impactful, others feel it is too short, fragmented, and lacks clear narrative cohesion, with key plot details and resolutions left ambiguous or locked behind paid DLC. Overall, the storytelling excels in mood and artistry but may frustrate players seeking a more straightforward or complete experience.

    • “The story is told mostly through environmental storytelling, cinematic sequences, and co‑op interactions, and it works beautifully.”
    • “Tarsier studios has such a wonderfully horrific way of storytelling, and just like Little Nightmares I & II, this game did not disappoint.”
    • “The artwork is nice and story interesting but the game is expensive at full price for 5-6h of gameplay.”
    • “From a story/gameplay point of view, the story is just a bunch of gore and traumatic imagery vaguely linked together, with the story really only being told at the very end - and even after that, it really wasn't clear what happened or why we are here.”
    • “Oh god... the story... the segmented, chopped out, diluted story that we get in Reanimal is so incomplete and abstract that it’s mostly a superflex of the developers for being so smart to hide the story and not give the players everything, unless they pay attention to the most minute things in the game.”
    • “The story is a complete nonsense—a schizophrenic mess that’s impossible to make sense of without YouTube breakdowns.”
  • gameplay
    1,151 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this game is generally described as fun, smooth, and engaging, offering a mix of exploration, puzzles, stealth, and combat that builds upon and refines the style of the Little Nightmares series. Co-op mechanics add enjoyment but are somewhat limited and occasionally plagued by bugs, crashes, and technical issues that disrupt the experience. Many players find the gameplay repetitive, linear, and short (around 4-6 hours), with a somewhat steep price relative to content length, although the atmospheric presentation and variety in mechanics help maintain interest.

    • “The variety of gameplay you get from puzzles to combat gives it a much more complex experience than the developers' prior games.”
    • “The gameplay of little nightmares 1 and 2, whilst simple, were great, and Reanimal takes everything they've learned from those two games and expands it tenfold with new mechanics, a new universe, and so much more.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, Reanimal offers clever puzzles, smooth controls, and tense stealth sequences that keep things exciting without feeling overwhelming.”
    • “The gameplay is where the problems start: it consists of a couple of boring mechanics repeated endlessly, with lots of trial and error made worse by slow animations, clunky controls, and some truly unnecessary and poorly executed combat.”
    • “4 hours of gameplay, bugs that would either kill you, or not permit you further until you reset the checkpoint, and lack of interesting story telling has left me disappointed.”
    • “The sections of gameplay that are not explained properly are some of the most frustrating gameplay I've ever had in gaming.”
  • atmosphere
    890 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised as its strongest aspect, featuring a dark, immersive, tense, and haunting environment enriched by exceptional art direction, sound design, and creature/level design. Many reviewers highlight its ability to evoke psychological horror, unease, and dread without relying on cheap jump scares, creating a deeply unsettling yet captivating experience comparable to or surpassing previous titles by Tarsier Studios. However, some note that co-op mode can slightly detract from the atmosphere, and that technical issues or short runtime somewhat undermine the experience, though the atmosphere remains a standout feature overall.

    • “The atmosphere is fantastic — the sound design, the visuals, and that dark, unsettling tone are all incredibly well done.”
    • “Reanimal delivers an incredible atmosphere from start to finish.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick and oppressive in all the right ways, and the visual representation of the world gives the game a distinct, creepy identity.”
    • “The lighting is poorly implemented, which makes navigation more confusing instead of adding to the atmosphere.”
    • “But I guess I set my expectations too high, as besides the atmosphere it ultimately fell flat.”
    • “One thing that's new is the introduction of co-op which I'll be honest is a detriment to the game not only on a technical standpoint because it's just straight up buggy, but it also takes away from the atmosphere when you goof around with a friend.”
  • graphics
    755 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's graphics receive widespread praise for their stunning, dark, and atmospheric art style, with detailed environments and immersive lighting that enhance the horror experience. Many highlight the visuals as the standout feature, likening it to titles such as Little Nightmares and Inside, and applauding its cinematic quality. However, performance issues, particularly on AMD graphics cards, frequent lag, crashes, and graphical bugs detract from the experience for some players, alongside concerns about the game's short length relative to its price.

    • “Reanimal is genuinely a 10/10 masterpiece in my opinion, I think this game is way better than Little Nightmares 1 and 2, everything is just so good, the visuals, vibe, atmosphere, monsters, is just amazing.”
    • “+ Per usual with Tarsier Studios, the visuals are both stunning and brutal, with each area oozing in atmosphere and carefully curated set pieces.”
    • “Reanimal absolutely shines when it comes to its visuals; this is without a doubt the game's main selling point, and it's done stunningly well.”
    • “Lots of stuttering and FPS drops mixed with buggy visuals and controls really ruined some moments.”
    • “Runs terribly at some moments on AMD devices, encountered many graphical glitches and stutters where fur is shown and a lot of crashes at the tank section.”
    • “The game is so unoptimized it makes Silent Hill 2 remake look smooth. I’m fine with running at less than 60 FPS, but the problem is this game is so unoptimized that it’s genuinely unbeatable. There is a monster whose hair physics are so unoptimized it literally crashes the game making it unplayable. I had to turn the graphics to the lowest possible setting then go in windowed just for the game to still crash.”
  • stability
    298 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from numerous bugs, glitches, crashes, and connectivity issues, especially during co-op play, causing frequent soft locks, freezes, and game-breaking moments. While the core gameplay and atmosphere are appreciated, the current unstable and poorly optimized state significantly detracts from the overall experience, with many considering it overpriced given these problems. Patches may improve stability, but as of now, the game is notably buggy and often frustrating to play.

    • “No glitches, controls made sense and were easy to re-map.”
    • “My experience so far is solo is brilliant with zero problems and runs great; I have a 5060ti and 32GB of RAM, so no optimization issues.”
    • “No glitches or bugs whatsoever.”
    • “The unfortunate part of this review comes with the fact that this game in its current state (i know its slated to receive patches but i've already beaten it) is quite a buggy mess, i even got softlocked in a part of the game, and the fact that the developers know but are taking their time to fix the issue is pretty alarming.”
    • “Reanimal is a fun spooky game to play couch co-op or online with friends the game itself is a buggy mess i managed to soft lock myself on 3 different occasions doing things that make sense but aren’t the correct way to solve puzzles, not to mention the game will randomly swap who you’re playing as after cutscenes, had to restart the game 6 times to get the ending sequence to work and open the imaginary wall properly.”
    • “There's a pretty solid game in here - but unfortunately the online multiplayer in the second half of the game is extremely buggy - frequent desyncs cause strange issues, there are crashes-to-desktop on certain interactions, but worst of all there is a very common issue where you get a complete lock-up towards the final sections of the game and you simply cannot continue.”
  • optimization
    251 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, including frequent stuttering, frame drops, crashes, and performance dips especially during loading, chase sequences, and later stages. While some players with high-end hardware report smooth experiences, many encounter severe lag and bugs that hinder gameplay and co-op functionality. Overall, the poor optimization detracts from the otherwise praised visuals and atmosphere, making it advisable to wait for patches before purchasing.

    • “And let's not forget about the very well optimization, below are my specs and at 4k ultra settings I was averaging between 100-180 fps during the entire game so props to optimization by Tarsier!”
    • “The game itself and its optimization are excellent.”
    • “Amazing optimization even on an okay laptop, game so far is great.”
    • “This game is so unoptimized it makes Silent Hill 2 remake look smooth. I'm fine with running at less than 60 fps, but the problem is this game is so unoptimized that it's genuinely unbeatable. There is a monster whose hair physics are so unoptimized it literally crashes the game, making it unplayable. I had to turn the graphics to the lowest possible setting then go in windowed just for the game to still crash. Now if that's not an issue and your PC can actually run this hyper-realistic game, then the game is really good and fun with a pretty interesting story.”
    • “The first two-thirds of the game had no optimization issues, but the latter third stuttered, lagged, and paused on frames during big setpieces, which combined with all the effects could make it difficult to tell what was even happening.”
    • “During the release window, the game had multiple performance issues, such as massive frame-drops during chase sequences to near unplayable degrees, texture pop-in in one specific area on two different playthroughs, and at least five different crashes over a 5 to 6 hour playthrough.”
  • music
    231 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for creating an immersive, eerie atmosphere that perfectly complements the visuals and horror elements, with many describing it as haunting, unsettling, and essential to the overall experience. While the soundtrack effectively enhances tension and mood, some fans find it more ambient and less memorable compared to previous Little Nightmares titles, lamenting the lack of standout themes or stronger musical presence. Overall, the sound design and music are considered integral to the game's emotional impact and atmosphere, earning high acclaim despite a few critiques on its subtlety and limited quantity.

    • “The music, the visuals, the atmosphere were all amazing, excited for the next chapter.”
    • “The soundtrack in particular enhances the atmosphere tremendously and keeps you constantly immersed in its oppressive, unsettling mood.”
    • “The atmosphere is absolutely nailed on the spot, the soundtrack is insane (really, play with good headphones because it's worth it), especially for explosions and tense scenes!”
    • “I've seen people online that liked the soundtrack, but I personally can't think of any track that was particularly memorable.”
    • “I don’t know what happened to their soundtrack creativity because the audio design was amazing, but the game clearly lacks a proper soundtrack, especially after how amazing the Little Nightmares soundtrack was.”
    • “No music, no atmosphere, no payoff.”
  • emotional
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reanimal delivers a dark, creepy, and emotionally intense experience, with a strong focus on the sibling bond that adds heart and tension to the story. While some players found the narrative vague or emotionally inconsistent, many praised its haunting atmosphere, visual storytelling, and impactful, often heartbreaking moments that evoke unease, sadness, and genuine emotional engagement. Technical issues and repetitive sequences occasionally diluted emotional impact, but overall the game offers a memorable, mature, and emotionally powerful journey.

    • “Reanimal is everything I loved about Little Nightmares 1 and Little Nightmares 2, but darker, more mature, and more emotionally powerful.”
    • “The emotional bond between the siblings is the heart of the story, and it pays off in several powerful moments.”
    • “There are two scenes in particular near the end that are so impactful, both of them being the main parts that truly hit you with the impact of the war, and oh my god it just made me cry, it's painful how much emotion it captures in, at least for one of the scenes, such a subtle way.”
  • humor
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor stems largely from its darkly whimsical and ironic moments, frequent hilarious mishaps, and chaotic multiplayer interactions that elicit genuine laughter despite its horror theme. Many players find the bugs and physics glitches amusing, contributing to a lighthearted experience even in tense situations. Overall, the humor is often accidental but enhances replayability and enjoyment, especially when playing cooperatively with friends.

    • “Despite the tension, we had plenty of laughs mostly thanks to the hilarious mistakes that led to our frequent and messy deaths.”
    • “Whether intended or not, playing in multiplayer can be very funny despite being such a dark game.”
    • “We're holding our breath together during tense moments, screaming at jumpscares, then bursting out laughing when one of us gets grabbed or fumbles a stealth section.”
  • replayability
    49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Replayability opinions are mixed, with some players appreciating the multiple endings, collectibles, and achievements that encourage replay, especially for completionists and co-op play. However, many find the game short and see limited incentive to replay beyond uncovering secrets or hunting achievements, feeling the price is high given the brief playtime and shallow mechanics. Anticipated DLC content is expected to enhance replay value in the future.

    • “The game has some replayability since you have some collectibles and more than one ending.”
    • “And for its relatively short length, it feels easy to get into and eminently replayable, with plenty of secrets to entertain completionists.”
    • “I'm writing this after just 100%ing and I can say that this game was incredibly enjoyable and pretty replayable having beaten it twice already.”
    • “A very short game with minimal replay value.”
    • “You pay a AA standard price, but are left with an unreplayable, 4 hour (at most) game.”
    • “With no replay value and shallow mechanics it’s hard to justify the cost unless you’re specifically looking for a short, visually impressive co-op game to play with your friend or significant other.”
  • character development
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highly praised for its masterful, symbolic, and chilling designs that deeply tie into the story and atmosphere, evoking strong emotions and enhancing immersion. The character art is consistently described as exceptional, blending grotesque, quirky, and realistic elements to create memorable protagonists, antagonists, and environments that stand out within the developer's portfolio. Overall, character design significantly contributes to the game's haunting narrative and immersive experience.

    • “Undoubted, masterful work of art; the symbolism, the fears it evokes, the aesthetic, the atmosphere, character design, the messages, not to mention the mechanics!”
    • “From the setting, level design, audio design, creature and character design, every single piece feels thought through and intentional.”
    • “The character design for the player and deuteragonists was great too, with aspects of each child tying back to their cause of death (you'll notice this if you discover all the coffins in the secret areas; this ties into the whole idea that this world they find themselves in is hell, or some form of afterlife).”
    • “I can't stress enough how refreshing this new rating has had over the Tarsier formula, the character design and setting given the freedom to be as crazy and off-putting as it wanted while still not feeling out of place.”
    • “I'm not going to lie, this atmosphere has trumped the other Tarsier games for me, I'm not sure if it's just because it mixes the twisted art style I'm used to through a much more realistic and grounded lens, but I seriously felt that some character designs and set pieces came out to be my favorite from their games, which is a very high bar to pass by Little Nightmares 2 standards.”
  • grinding
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in the game is often described as tedious and sometimes frustrating due to frequent trial-and-error segments and checkpoints placed too far apart, causing repetitive restarts. While some players find the difficulty well-balanced and the pacing acceptable, others criticize certain sections as slow and artificially drawn out, impacting overall enjoyment.

    • “These first two were not too tedious to handle as the game either understood the situation and restarted from the last checkpoint or I could initiate that myself if it did not.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Other times it's a tedious slog, with trial-and-error sections that are pretty much designed to kill you the first time through and an absolutely horrendous camera in some spots.”
    • “This brings the game’s pace to a grinding halt as you alternate between creeping forward and restarting a checkpoint because you failed to guess when or where the next foe would appear.”
  • monetization
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users largely criticize the monetization of the game, viewing it as a blatant cash grab, especially targeting fans of the Little Nightmares series. The early demo footage was misleading compared to the full game, and the season pass is seen as an exploitative way to charge extra for unfinished content, leaving the story feeling incomplete and commercially driven.

    • “This is genuinely the worst cash grab I've ever played.”
    • “The game is amazing in all aspects; however, I cannot look past the fact the season pass feels like an intentional and lazy cash grab. The story ends on a cliffhanger just three hours in, which feels like a masquerade for an unfinished game. They released it at $40 and slapped on a $25 season pass to cover it up as DLC to finish the game.”
    • “This is nothing other than a cash grab to Little Nightmares fans, and you can see that's true with the season pass they are doing.”
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5h Median play time
5h Average play time
4-6h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 173 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

REANIMAL is a puzzle game with horror and mystery themes.

REANIMAL is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing REANIMAL.

REANIMAL was released on February 13, 2026.

REANIMAL was developed by Tarsier Studios.

REANIMAL has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

REANIMAL is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Little Nightmares III, Little Nightmares 2, Little Nightmares, Five Nights at Freddy's: Secret of the Mimic, The Medium and others.