'Little Nightmares (2017)' is an atmospheric puzzle-platformer in which you play as a young girl who awakens, presumably after being kidnapped, inside a strange structure known as the Maw and must evade all manner of monster as you try to escape. It's a mixture of puzzle solving, platforming and stealth, wrapped up in a compellingly creepy aesthetic and an enigmatically underplayed narrative. It's a short but sweet experience that has a few issues but is generally really entertaining. The problems come mostly in the form of small annoyances; your character can easily get stuck on geometry, fall off small walkways and fail to interact with objects properly. Sometimes, the enemies seem to grab you when they shouldn't be able to. This general lack of mechanical refinement is occasionally frustrating, but it doesn't dampen the overall experience. The game can be finished in under an hour if you really know what you're doing (in fact, there's a somewhat unfair trophy/ achievement for finishing the thing in under an hour without dying once). This isn't a big deal, though, because it feels perfectly paced for what it is. There isn't a dull moment and the piece is sometimes fairly challenging. Plus, it should take a bit longer on your first attempt (though still only a couple of hours). The game is really enjoyable overall. Its aesthetic is distinct and effective, as is its atmosphere. It's a fun little experience that doesn't waste any of your time. 8/10.
