Little Nightmares III, the next installment in the acclaimed horror puzzle-platformer series, has received an Advisory 16 classification in Singapore. The rating, issued by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), sheds new light on the game’s narrative, mechanics, and atmospheric content. Developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the title is scheduled to release in 2025 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows.
A standalone sequel to the first two entries, Little Nightmares III introduces players to two new child protagonists named Low and Alone. Set in the eerie and grotesque world of The Nowhere, the game follows the duo’s desperate attempt to escape their dystopian surroundings while contending with a range of sinister and monstrous enemies. Cooperation between the two characters will be a central element of the gameplay experience, emphasizing themes of survival, companionship, and fear of the unknown.
The game is played from a side-scrolling perspective, a hallmark of the series. Players will control either Low or Alone as they explore dimly lit, deteriorating spaces such as ruined rooms and abandoned corridors. Puzzle-solving remains a core aspect of gameplay, requiring players to manipulate objects like switches and boxes or locate keys to unlock new areas. While stealth and evasion continue to play a major role, this entry also introduces limited combat scenarios, with players using tools such as wrenches and arrows to fend off hostile creatures and humanoid threats.
The IMDA classification notes that the game includes a consistent sense of dread, heightened by ominous sound design and unsettling visuals. Combat is present but not excessively graphic, depicting melee and ranged engagements without detailed gore. However, the environment itself conveys a heavy horror influence, with the presence of bodies, dismembered parts, and scenes involving grotesque creatures. These include disturbing sequences such as a creature being crushed under a mechanical presser, another implied to be cutting flesh from a victim, and exposed guts spilling from a container. The threat of death looms throughout the experience, triggered by dangers such as electrocution, fatal falls, or crushing debris. Upon dying, the screen fades to black, reinforcing the bleak and haunting tone of the narrative.
In line with the Advisory 16 rating, the game’s content falls within the guidelines for “depiction of frightening and disturbing sequences, or any abhorrent phenomena, whether natural or pertaining to the supernatural.” These thematic and visual elements align closely with the series’ established identity, offering an emotionally intense journey through surreal and terrifying environments.
