In the realm of survival horror gaming, Tarsier Studios has unveiled its latest creation, Reanimal, a title that promises to immerse players in a hauntingly beautiful yet unsettling world. Scheduled for release on February 13, 2026, this game is priced at and will be published by THQ Nordic. The game was reviewed on a setup featuring an RTX 3060 laptop, Ryzen 5 5600H, and 16GB of RAM, with compatibility for Steam Deck yet to be confirmed.
After navigating the oppressive darkness of Reanimal for eight hours, one might find themselves pondering the significance of its title and the overarching narrative. While it shares thematic elements with the acclaimed Little Nightmares series, this new venture leans into a more dismal atmosphere, stripping away much of the whimsical undertones that characterized its predecessors. Instead, it embraces a stark, ambiguous horror that prioritizes mystery over gore.
The story centers on a brother-sister duo, whose names and backstory remain shrouded in ambiguity. Players can choose to control either character in single-player mode or engage in cooperative gameplay, where one player takes on the role of the sister. Their journey begins on a fog-laden ocean, steering a dinghy toward a war-torn island, driven by the mission to rescue three friends from impending doom. The circumstances surrounding their disappearance and the island’s devastation are left unexplained, adding to the game’s enigmatic allure.
Gameplay follows a familiar pattern reminiscent of Little Nightmares, involving stealthy navigation through grim environments while evading colossal threats. However, Reanimal introduces a fixed 3D camera perspective, harkening back to classic survival horror titles. This shift enhances the game’s visual storytelling, allowing Tarsier to capture the island’s haunting beauty, which oscillates between domestic, military, pastoral, and apocalyptic imagery.
Creature Feature
While Tarsier’s focus on striking visuals sometimes compromises gameplay fluidity—particularly in the dinghy sections where camera control feels limited—the overall experience remains engaging. The puzzles, though straightforward, serve to complement the atmospheric tension rather than challenge the player’s intellect. The pacing mirrors that of Little Nightmares, with players traversing narrow pathways, balancing precariously, and solving simple collaborative tasks.
The island of Reanimal flows illogically from flooded towns, to industrial backwaters, to sunkissed meadows.
Despite its adherence to established gameplay mechanics, Reanimal distinguishes itself through its sophisticated storytelling. The game explores themes of trauma and survival within a world that feels both vast and hostile. The protagonists’ sparse dialogue, delivered in a deadpan tone, underscores the pervasive sense of despair and exhaustion that permeates their surroundings. As one character queries, “Do you know why we’re here?” the response echoes a sentiment of confusion and resignation, encapsulating the game’s bleak narrative.
Ultimately, Reanimal emerges as a visually stunning yet conceptually complex addition to the survival horror genre. While it may not revolutionize gameplay mechanics, its rich atmosphere and haunting storytelling invite players to explore the depths of its disturbing world, making it a noteworthy title to anticipate in 2026.
