Tarsier Studios Announces Reanimal: Release Date and Co-op Details

The Horror Returns: Tarsier’s Next Evolution

If you thought Tarsier Studios was finished messing with your sleep schedule after Little Nightmares, think again. Our hands-on with Reanimal confirms that this "spiritual sibling" is leaner, meaner, and arguably more disturbing. The game trades the lone-child-against-the-world trope for a dual-protagonist setup that hinges on trust, timing, and a healthy dose of dread.

The opening is a masterclass in tone. You start as "The Boy," rowing through a pitch-black sea toward a pulsing red light. When you finally pull a masked figure from the water—his sister—she immediately tries to strangle him. It’s a brutal way to establish the stakes, and the DualSense haptic feedback makes every struggle feel uncomfortably real. This isn't just another platformer; it's a co-op survival test where the world itself feels hostile to your presence.

Mechanics and the "Partner AI"

While Reanimal is designed for co-op, we spent significant time testing the AI partner. For those flying solo, the AI isn't just a follower; it's a proactive participant.

Co-op Controls & Interaction

• Triangle Button: Triggers a boost to reach high-altitude platforms.
• L1 Interaction: Commands your partner to engage with the environment, such as flipping switches to stop rotating machinery like the giant metal drum we encountered.
• Initiative: In a standout sequence involving a runaway van, the AI actually took the first swing at a monster, signaling that while stealth is the priority, "joining the attack" is a viable meta in specific encounters.

Environmental Dread and Visual Storytelling

Tarsier’s hallmark has always been "show, don't tell," and they’ve perfected the craft here. Dialogue is minimal, leaving the heavy lifting to body language and smart camera angles. The level design is claustrophobic by design, using subtle visual cues rather than neon objective markers to guide you.

The world is fragmented and varied. We moved from an abandoned factory and a sinkhole-plagued city to a "waterlogged workshop." The developers have a knack for turning the mundane—like a bank of rattling washing machines or a playground animal—into a genuine threat. The ice cream van jingle is particularly effective; our take? If you hear music in this game, run.

Level Design & Puzzles

The puzzles range from standard item hunts (finding wheels for a pump trolley) to complex, multi-stage "battering ram" sequences involving cars and gas canisters. While the difficulty spikes in "trickier areas," Tarsier has implemented forgiving, quick respawn points. This keeps the momentum going without neutering the tension of the cinematic chases.

Exploration and Collectibles

For the completionists, the shadows hide more than just death. We found masks and concept art tucked away in "squelchy" corners. It’s clear that Tarsier wants players to push into the darkness, even when every instinct says to stay in the light.

Final Analyst Take

We believe Reanimal is positioned to be the premier horror-platformer of 2026. It takes the foundation of its predecessor and adds layers of mechanical depth through its co-op focus. The integration of DualSense features and the shift toward more non-linear exploration suggests a game that knows exactly what its audience wants: a terrifying, shared experience that doesn't hold your hand. Grab a flashlight—February 13 is going to be a long night.