Little Nightmares III vs Directive 8020

• Perspective: 2.5D Side-Scroller
• Multiplayer: 2-Player Online Co-op Only
• Setting: The Nowhere / The Spiral
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
• Unique Feature: The first game in the series designed for co-op, featuring two new protagonists with unique, complementary tools for puzzle-solving and survival.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: 2-Player Online Co-op, 5-Player Local/Online Co-op
• Setting: Deep Space / Alien Planet (Tau Ceti f)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Release Window: 2026
• Unique Feature: A cinematic sci-fi horror story that introduces a 'Turning Points' rewind mechanic and full third-person stealth/action controls to the series.

• Co-op Partner: The game is designed around a duo. In solo mode, the second character is controlled by AI. In online co-op, they are controlled by another player. Cooperation is mandatory for solving most puzzles.
  Human (Player/AI)

• Crew Members: The game revolves around five protagonists. In co-op, players control separate characters, making shared decisions and managing inventory together. The enemy's ability to mimic means any companion can become a threat.
  Human (Player/AI)

• Scanner: A tool housed in the utility strap. Used to scan for electronics or spot the alien entity capable of mimicking crew members.
• Messenger: A utility strap tool used for silent communication between crew members, even when potential alien 'imposters' are nearby.
• The Dark Pictures Heirlooms: Hidden dolls and relics from previous games. Finding them unlocks secrets that connect Directive 8020 to the wider anthology universe.

• Survival Horror
• Puzzle-Platformer
• Co-op
• Psychological Horror
• Fairy Tale
• Dread

• Sci-Fi Horror
• Survival Horror
• Body Horror
• Cosmic Horror
• Interactive Drama
• Player Choice
• Paranoia
• Isolation

Progression is based on puzzle-solving and traversal using each character's unique tool. Low uses a bow and arrow to hit switches and cut ropes, while Alone uses a wrench to turn mechanisms and smash barriers. There are no traditional skill trees; progression is about mastering the co-op mechanics and finding new tools like the Parasol for gliding.

The game does not feature traditional RPG leveling. Progression is narrative and inventory-based. Players find and use key items and gadgets to solve environmental puzzles. The 'Turning Points' system is a key feature, allowing players to 'rewind' pivotal decisions to explore alternate narrative paths, though irreversible 'Survival Mode' is also available.

The game features a linear, 2.5D structure across four main chapters. Each chapter is a distinct, horrifying location within The Spiral, including the sand-ravaged 'Necropolis' (home to the giant Monster Baby), the gloomy 'Candy Factory', and the grotesque 'Carnevale'.

The game is a linear, cinematic adventure. Locations include the claustrophobic corridors of the crashed starship Cassiopeia and the surface of the hostile alien planet, Tau Ceti f. The game features full, player-controlled exploration, a significant departure from the fixed cameras of previous series installments.

• Low: Playable Protagonist
  A spindly-limbed child in a white raven mask who wields a bow and arrow.
• Alone: Playable Protagonist
  A confident child with red pigtails who wields a wrench.
• Monster Baby: Antagonist
  The giant, doll-like 'Resident' of the Necropolis chapter.
• The Supervisor: Antagonist
  A creepy, multi-armed woman who stalks the Candy Factory like a spider.

• Brianna Young ('Young'): Playable Protagonist
  The co-pilot of the Cassiopeia and one of the five playable main characters. Portrayed by Lashana Lynch.
• Nolan Stafford ('Stafford'): Playable Protagonist
  The mission Commander and the founding father of the space program, mentoring Brianna Young.
• Laura Eisele ('Eisele'): Playable Protagonist
  The senior mission officer and the architect of the Cassiopeia, known for her cold, rational brilliance.
• Josef Cernan ('Cernan'): Playable Protagonist
  The technical engineer and 'resident philosopher' of the crew, dedicated to living a life he could be proud of.
• Samantha Cooper ('Cooper'): Playable Protagonist
  The medical specialist and sole survivor of a previous tragedy, highly dedicated to protecting life.

• Episodic Campaign
  The game is structured into eight, hour-long episodes. The main objective is to guide the five crew members to survive the alien threat and the hostile environment, with the story branching dramatically based on player choices.

The game is the first in the series built for co-op. It supports 2-player online co-op only. There is no local couch co-op, a decision that has been widely criticized. The game includes a 'Friend's Pass,' allowing one owner to invite a friend to play for free. A single-player mode with an AI companion is also available.

The game is available in a Standard Edition ($39.99), a Deluxe Edition ($59.99 - includes the Expansion Pass for two future chapters and cosmetic packs), a retail Mirror Edition (includes a figurine), and a premium Premium Spiral Edition (includes a music box figurine base).

The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game, the 'Dark Pictures Outfit Pack' (iconic outfits from previous games), a 'BONUS MISSION: THE DARK PICTURES HEIRLOOMS RETRIEVAL,' three cinematic filters (60's Black and White, 70's Gritty, 80's VHS), an artbook, and the exclusive soundtrack.

• Q: What is Little Nightmares III?
  A: It is the third game in the horror-platformer series and the first to be built for co-op. It follows two new child protagonists, Low and Alone, as they try to escape a nightmarish world.
• Q: Can I play it in local couch co-op?
  A: No. The game only supports 2-player online co-op. It does not have any local or split-screen multiplayer, a decision that has been widely criticized.
• Q: Do both players need to own the game?
  A: No. The game includes a 'Friend's Pass,' which allows someone who owns the game to invite a friend to play the entire story with them online for free.
• Q: Is it still made by the original developers?
  A: No. The original developer, Tarsier Studios, was acquired and moved on to a new IP. Little Nightmares III was developed by Supermassive Games, known for titles like Until Dawn and The Quarry.

• Q: What is Directive 8020?
  A: It is the fifth installment in The Dark Pictures Anthology, a series of cinematic, interactive horror games. This installment is a sci-fi horror story about the crew of a crashed spaceship being hunted by a shapeshifting alien.
• Q: How is it different from other Dark Pictures games?
  A: It marks a significant evolution for the series, moving from fixed camera angles to full third-person player control. It also introduces deeper gameplay mechanics like real-time stealth, a full inventory system, and the 'Turning Points' system to retry decisions.
• Q: What is the 'Turning Points' system?
  A: It's a major new feature that allows players to 'rewind' to a pivotal decision they have made and retry the sequence, enabling them to explore alternate narrative paths without losing overall story progress.
• Q: Can I play with friends?
  A: Yes, the game supports two main co-op modes: a 2-player online 'Shared Story' mode and a 5-player local/online 'Movie Night' mode.

• OFFICIAL PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. These specifications reflect the use of Unreal Engine 5. The game requires Windows 11.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop performance will vary based on the model's cooling and TGP. While not the most demanding UE5 title, a stable framerate is important for the game's timing-based platforming and chase sequences.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU is beneficial to handle high graphical settings and resolutions, especially with ray tracing enabled.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich environments and detailed character models will require a laptop with a good cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A modern multi-core mobile CPU is recommended to ensure smooth performance without bottlenecks.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing input latency, which is helpful for the game's precise platforming challenges.
• Game Name: Little Nightmares III

• OFFICIAL PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. These specifications reflect the demands of the Unreal Engine 5 build, which is a first for the series.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop performance will vary based on the model's cooling and TGP. The game's graphically rich world and cinematic presentation will require a powerful gaming laptop.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU is essential to handle the advanced graphical features, ray tracing, and maintain stable framerates.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI and physics-based combat.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in the game's real-time stealth and action sequences.
• Game Name: Directive 8020

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU is beneficial to handle high graphical settings and resolutions, especially with ray tracing enabled.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich environments and detailed character models will require a laptop with a good cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A modern multi-core mobile CPU is recommended to ensure smooth performance without bottlenecks.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing input latency, which is helpful for the game's precise platforming challenges.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU is essential to handle the advanced graphical features, ray tracing, and maintain stable framerates.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI and physics-based combat.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in the game's real-time stealth and action sequences.