Little Nightmares 3 will not arrive on Halloween 2025

The developer Supermassive Games confirmed that Little Nightmares 3 will not be released in October 2025, ruling out a possible Halloween debut this year. The information, detailed in the game's official announcement, indicates that the title is only scheduled for release in 2026. This news disappoints fans who were waiting for the sequel to the acclaimed horror and platform series for a thematic date.

The absence of Little Nightmares 3 on the Halloween 2025 calendar reinforces an industry standard where major releases are sometimes delayed to ensure quality or to optimize market positioning. The decision to announce the 2026 window in advance may be an attempt to manage expectations and avoid last-minute disappointments.

Little Nightmares 3 was revealed with a trailer in August 2024, confirming that the game will have an online cooperative campaign, marking an evolution in the series. For the first time, players will be able to control two new protagonists, Low and Alone, who must work together to escape a terrifying world. This addition of multiplayer expands the possibilities of gameplay and strategy compared to the previous titles in the franchise, Little Nightmares and Little Nightmares 2, which were predominantly single-player experiences.

The plot of Little Nightmares 3 puts the new heroes in a hostile environment known as Nowhere, where they will face terrifying threats like the Monster Baby and the menacing "Friendly Hand" in the desert of Necropolis. The gameplay will maintain the atmosphere of psychological horror and the characteristic platform puzzles of the series, requiring players to use the environment and their combined skills to survive.

"The game is being built from scratch, and we are dedicating all the time necessary to ensure the best possible experience," said a representative from Supermassive Games in the August 22, 2024 announcement, justifying the development time. Supermassive Games, known for its narrative horror titles like Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology, has taken over development, while Bandai Namco remains as the publisher. The history of Supermassive in horror games creates expectations about the quality of execution and the ability to deepen the experience of Little Nightmares 3.

The release window for 2026 means that fans will have to wait over a year to get their hands on the title. However, the delay may allow Supermassive Games to polish the game, especially considering the complexity of implementing a cooperative mode cohesively in a franchise known for its claustrophobic atmosphere and individual narrative. The decision not to rush the release, even at the expense of missing such an emblematic date like Halloween, may be a sign of commitment to the final product's quality.

The success of Little Nightmares 3 will be crucial for the future of the franchise, especially with the introduction of a new developer and altered core mechanics. Bandai Namco hopes that the title will continue to expand the universe and attract new players to the series.