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The demo for Little Nightmares 3 is finally here, and even though it’s just a taste, it delivers strong chills and enough intrigue to have me counting down to the full release. For folks who’ve been waiting, here’s everything the demo offers and where it leaks hints about what the full game might be.

What the Demo Lets You Try

• You can play up to 30 minutes in The Necropolis, an early area in the game. It’s a desolate city lost to time, part of The Nowhere, and already feels like it has that signature creepy atmosphere.
• You get to control two protagonists: Low, who uses a bow (good for cutting ropes, hitting high targets), and Alone, who wields a wrench (for breaking barriers, smashing objects, manipulating machines).
• Multiple modes supported: solo play, online co-op (same platform only), or with an AI companion if you prefer stealth or want to avoid waiting for a friend.
• It’s purely a demo of preview content, meaning progress does not carry over into the full game, which is launching on October 10, 2025 on most platforms.

Visuals, Performance, and Platform Differences

• On PS5 and Xbox Series (X|S), the demo offers graphics choices: you can run in Performance mode (60 fps) or Quality mode (higher resolution/details but locked at 30 fps).
• The Switch 2 version doesn’t offer both modes; it’s locked at 30 fps and has reductions in lighting, shadows, texture detail, and post processing compared to the “big” consoles.
• Despite the technical differences, the art direction still hits. The creepy environmental design, haunting lighting, and atmosphere carry over well, even on lower spec platforms.

Early Impressions: What Works, What Might Be Rough

What works:

• The monster baby enemy in this demo is a strong opener. It feels unsettling in just the right way, blending horror and stealth with platform and puzzle elements.
• Low and Alone’s distinct tools make the puzzles and traversal feel meaningful. The bow wrench combo forces you to think differently about how to approach obstacles.
• Co-op mechanics look promising, especially for players who like horror games less solo-scary. Having a buddy (or good AI) helps share the tension and increases strategic options.

What might hold it back:

• The lack of cross-platform co-op means you and a friend on different consoles won’t be able to team up. That’s a letdown for cross-play fans.
• On Switch 2, the demo’s visuals take a hit. If you have a PS5 or high-end PC, the contrast is noticeable. Textures, lighting, shadows are less rich.
• Since it’s just a demo of The Necropolis, it’s hard to know how the game transitions to later areas in terms of pacing, scare design, or gameplay variety.

Why This Demo Matters

• It gives us our first “hands-on” look at what Supermassive Games is bringing to the Little Nightmares identity. With this being the first co-op entry in the series, the pairing of puzzle, stealth, horror, and multiplayer is on display here.
• The tech differences across platforms are already shaping up to matter. Performance vs quality trade-offs will matter especially when people judge visual horror, atmosphere, and immersion.
• The demo confirms the October 10 release date. It also shows what players who preorder might expect in terms of mood, gameplay mechanics, and tone.

Final Thoughts

If you are thinking of getting Little Nightmares 3, this demo is well worth your time. Even though it’s brief, it shows a lot about where Supermassive is going with the series—from character tools to environmental horror to co-op potential.

If you want more breakdowns like optimal weapon use, stage by stage tension pacing, or platform-specific comparisons as launch nears, subscribe to The Gamers Cut. I’ll be covering all the spooky details so you know how to get the most out of your nightmares come October.