Reanimal is the perfect horror co-op for couples this Valentine's Day

The upcoming co-op from the developers of Little Nightmares will be a terrifying treat.

Reanimal - Courtesy of Tarsier

2026 is here, and with the new year comes reform, rejuvenation, and

Reanimal—the newest project from Tarsier studios, the developers behind Little Nightmares I and II.

Set for release on February 13th, the official summary of the game reads:

In this co-op horror adventure game, you play as a brother & sister who go through hell to rescue their missing friends. Exploring by boat and on land, you must use your wits to survive, work together to escape the hellish island, and the dark secret that haunts you.

The game had been in development since the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when the future was uncertain and the world felt like something of a shell of its pre-2020 self. Dave Mervik, a senior Narrative Designer for Tarsier Studios, expressed his belief that these feelings seeped into the final product of the game. This led to him describing Reanimal as being more grounded in reality than Tarsier’s other horror releases.

Based upon the marketing for the game, including the trailer below, it shares many similarities to Little Nightmares. Some early players have even described it as “carrying the spirit” of the first two titles.

The atmosphere and overall tone is the most obvious similarity; utilizing grotesque and organic sound design, disfigured monsters, and the dreadfully surreal images centered on childhood fears. But something that stands out, as seen in the trailer and reactions to the Xbox and Steam demos, is the cinematic use of these qualities.

Rather than relying on the more fixed angle perspective of its spiritual predecessor, Reanimal uses an effective blend of both claustrophobic and megalo angles.

Reanimal - Courtesy of Tarsier

Some of the highlights of the camera’s expansive shots in the trailer include two characters floating in a canoe towards a massive brick structure, then descending a long ladder on the side of a giant rocky structure. These shots do well to minimize the characters, in turn minimizing the players and evoking the same feelings of vulnerability and dread associated with childhood. First and foremost is the dread of monsters.

The most exciting feature of the trailer may be the creatures. Adhering to its title, Reanimal features, among other beings, a pig and a sheep. One of the first shots is a collapsed sheep snapping its joint as it rises from the ground. Throughout the trailer, its destructive baaaaaaa is heard, and towards the end we see it at monolithic size, scaling two walls with mismatched limbs and letting out a blood-curdling scream.

Fans of Little Nightmares who were disappointed in the third game’s lack of local co-op won’t have to worry about having to play from separate rooms or sit two game systems and TVs next to each other. Despite being a perfect way for spooky-loving couples to celebrate this coming Valentine’s Day, the game will also have a single player feature.

Reanimal will be released February 13th, 2026. Playable demos are available on both Xbox and Steam.