Games Like Little Nightmares 2

Summary

• 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. On their journey, they face many threats that are even scarier than the ones from the original title.

Many gamers have already beaten Little Nightmares 2. However, some may be on the hunt for a similar experience. The game is certainly unique in many ways, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other games like Little Nightmares 2 that fans of the title can enjoy. In fact, some may argue that gamers will be spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting games that scratch this itch for them.

Updated on December 17, 2024, by Gerardo Molina: While graphic adventures that are heavily reliant on their narrative elements might not be everyone’s cup of tea, they present a great opportunity for people who want to explore a rich story with a few scary moments. Video games centering around these elements usually develop a strong following and captivate players of different ages.

Some of the titles on the list might not deliver the same terrifying experience that Little Nightmares 2 does, but they do manage to present players with each developer’s take on a similar feeling and opens the door for a new world of possibilities in this genre. Get ready to explore mysterious worlds, have a ton of conversations, and keep an eye out for any threats lurking in the shadows.

22 Oxenfree

A Teenager Must Face Supernatural Forces

Oxenfree focuses on the story of Alex, a teenager on board of a ferry that’s heading towards the fictional Edwards Island (probably based on Prince Edward Island from real life). Telling its interesting narrative from a 2.5D perspective, this game will have players face supernatural forces that they’ll have to stop to prevent catastrophe.

Oxenfree opts for a more “on the move” approach, so dialogue bubbles will appear on top of players’ characters as they explore the world, instead of stopping the journey for a conversation.

21 The Coma: Recut

A High School Building And A Vicious Killer—Escaping Alive Is The Plan

• Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox One, macOS, PS Vita
• Released: October 19, 2015
• Developer(s): Devespresso Games, Stage Clear Studios
• Genre(s): Adventure Game, Indie Game

While slasher films and video games presenting the premise of a vicious killer chasing students inside a high school building isn’t anything new, The Coma: Recut manages to present this cliché and still make it interesting.

Players will take on the role of Youngho, a Korean high school student who will have to run, hide, and plan his every move whenever possible to survive the merciless killer. All in all, while The Coma: Recut’s premise does not involve supernatural monsters like Little Nightmares 2 does, it’s still a blast to play.

20 Darq

A Young Boy’s Nightmare World With Gloomy Elements

While trudging through the grim world of Darq, players are placed in the shoes of Lloyd, a young boy who’s trapped in a nightmare. Through the use of logic and area awareness, players will have to solve complex puzzles and navigate the eerie dream world. With elements of abstract horror and a minimal narrative that lets players’ imagination take control, Darq shares many details with Little Nightmares 2.

The game also features great sound design that perfectly complements its aesthetics and art style. While its game mechanics are not on par with those found in Little Nightmares 2, it’s a great option for those who want to remain with a similar feeling after they’ve finished Tarsier Studios’ title.

19 Neverending Nightmares

A Story Of A Man Tormented By His Own Mind

Mainly a psychological horror game, Neverending Nightmares dives into the dark world of a man who suffers from mental illness, showing players the struggles he faces every day. The game has a unique art style with what appear to be hand-drawn elements in black and white. Color appears in the game as well, but it’s rare and typically used to emphasize important things and danger.

Similar to Little Nightmares 2, this game features puzzle solving, disturbing images, and a constant thickness in the air that will make most players feel uneasy. Despite this, there is much to discover in Neverending Nightmares that will keep players invested and likely a little uncomfortable.

18 Very Little Nightmares

A Great Mobile Take On The Little Nightmares Universe

• Platform: Android
• Released: May 30, 2019
• Developer: Alike Studio

This mobile prequel to the original Little Nightmares allows players to control the Girl in the Yellow Raincoat (same raincoat, but it’s not Six). As the story progresses, players will have to explore a large, eerie mansion filled with puzzles and platforming. Very Little Nightmares has an overall similar concept to both Little Nightmares and Little Nightmares 2.

The game is definitely a must-play for fans of the LIttle Nightmares franchise, as it not only sets the stage for the original game but also explains how the Girl in the Yellow Raincoat lost her raincoat and how it ended up in Six’s hands.

17 Fran Bow

An Adventure Game Full Of Creepy Imagery In Line With Little Nightmares 2

Most people would believe that point-and-click adventure games have become a thing of the past. While this may be understandable to some extent, it doesn’t take away from the inherent charm of these titles as players interact with unique characters and solve tough puzzles to make progress. One such title with a focus on horror that fans will have a great time with is Fran Bow.

Featuring an intriguing narrative that pushes players to explore the deep layers of psychological horror present in this title, it’s easy to see why people love what Fran Bow brings to the table. It may not tie up certain narrative threads in a satisfactory manner, but the immaculate and unnerving vibes of Fran Bow make it a blast to play through nevertheless.

16 Sally Face

Just Like Little Nightmares 2, Players Control A Young Boy In An Unsettling Story

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Released: August 16, 2016
• Developer: Portable Moose

Another adventure game that players can have a great time with is Sally Face. This title focuses on a boy with a prosthetic face who must investigate a bunch of local murders with his friends in an episodic title that’s a blast to play through. Psychological horror is something that a lot of indie games love to mess around with, and this title is a great example of how effective this formula can be.

As long as players are aware of the limitations that are present in this title, they’ll love the game’s riveting narrative, which is underrated in the eyes of many. Fans who love unique adventure games with fresh takes on the horror genre will find Sally Face to be right up their alley.

15 Pathologic

An Unnerving Psychological Horror Game Perfect For Little Nightmares 2 Fans Who Want Something Experimental

Many people are glad to see Pathologic slowly worm its way into the minds of horror fans after being dormant and largely unappreciated for the longest time. It takes some real guts for a game to go all-out in its depiction of horror to the point where the gameplay mechanics may not be optimal but go perfectly with the vibes of the game. Pathologic is a great example of the same, letting players control different people in a small settlement suffering from the plague.

With each playthrough, the story of Pathologic becomes weirder and weirder, with some endings going so far as to break the fourth wall. It’s a one-of-a-kind horror game that players must experience for themselves, even if the dated gameplay can take a while to get used to.

14 Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk

A Clever, Unsettling Look At The Mind Of A Girl Wracked With Psychosis And PTSD

Most visual novels need to do something unique and different to stand out from the rest of the games in this genre, and Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk certainly achieves the same. This short and horrifying visual novel takes an uncomfortable look at the psyche of a girl who is so wracked with anguish and trauma that the simple act of going to the grocery store becomes a nightmarish adventure in its own right.

Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk was a huge hit to the point where the developer released a sequel that expanded upon these concepts and then some. It’s an engaging video game that fans can check out if they want to play through a visual novel that is terrifying and eye-opening at the same time.

13 Doki Doki Literature Club!

Breaks The Fourth Wall To Scare Players, Taking The Guise Of A Simple, Cliched Visual Novel

Doki Doki Literature Club! is a game that takes on the guise of a cliche dating simulator where players enter a literature club and are introduced to four girls who have endearing personalities of their own. It’s not until a rather traumatic occurrence that players realize what this game is all about.

This masterful subversion of the visual novel genre took the internet by storm, prompting the release of a paid enhanced version that was released on more platforms. Doki Doki Literature Club!‘s scares are plentiful and beautifully crafted, so players with weak hearts should try and steel themselves before going on this journey, which is full of creepy twists and unnerving turns.

12 Yume Nikki

Explores A Hikikomori’s Bizarre And Scary Dreams

Yume Nikki is one of the most legendary RPG Maker games of all time that developed a massive fanbase. Players control a hikikomori who prefers to drift off into her dreams instead of tackling reality, allowing gamers to witness a ton of trippy visuals and interact 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

In A World Devoid Of Women, A Possessive Father Goes On A Self-Destructive Quest To Save His Adoptive Daughter

There’s no denying that Lisa: The Painful is one of the funniest games that gamers 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

A Boy Uses His Dreams As A Way To Escape From His Real-Life Trauma

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 lightheartedness of the world that Sunny retreats into while also becoming quite sinister as players explore the more horrific aspects of this game.

9 Inscryption

A Sinister Card Game Turns Into Something Wild And Bizarre Over The Course Of Its Three Arcs

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 hprrifying 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, gamers should keep in mind that this title can get pretty scary at times — even more so than Little Nightmares.

8 Machinarium

An Atmospheric Adventure Game With A Unique Art Style And Excellent World-Building

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

An Unsettling Horror Game That’s Not For The Faint Of Heart

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

The Perspective Of A Toddler Makes For A Creepy, Horrific Game That Will Send Chills Down A Player’s Spine

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 in 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

The Boy That Players Control Can Die In A Myriad Of Graphic Ways

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.

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

The Miniaturized Couple Has To Deal With Everyday Critters And Threats That Are Now Humongous

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

An Atmospheric Horror Platformer With A Ton Of Unsettling Events Around Every Corner

Another game made by Playdead is Inside, which is basically Limbo‘s spiritual successor. In fact, many gamers 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, much is up for interpretation, causing fans to create many theories as to what is actually happening.