Tarsier Studios Announces REANIMAL: Release Date and Details

Tarsier Studios, the masters of atmospheric dread behind the Little Nightmares series, have officially dropped their latest nightmare fuel: REANIMAL. This isn't just another horror game; it’s a co-op horror adventure launching today, February 13, 2026, across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, published by THQ Nordic. And let me tell you, this one's been on our radar since our "Best Games of February 2026" roundup.

A Journey Through Childhood Fears

In REANIMAL, players step into the shoes of two orphaned siblings navigating a nightmarish island to find their missing friends. What starts as a desperate rescue mission quickly spirals into a disturbing confrontation with creatures born from trauma, memory, and fear. Tarsier's signature touch is undeniable here: minimal dialogue, crushing atmosphere, and environmental storytelling that peels back layers of a truly unsettling world. This studio just gets how to build tension.

We're looking at a narrative that’s more than just jump scares. It’s a journey through fragmented locations, where every discovery adds another piece to a deeply unsettling puzzle, balancing dread with raw emotional weight. This focus on resilience and companionship in the face of terror feels like a mature evolution for the studio.

Co-op: The Heart of the Horror

Where REANIMAL truly shines is its co-op design. While you can go solo with AI assistance, the game is built for two. The shared, directed camera system is a brilliant design choice, forcing players to stick together, amplifying tension as you navigate land and sea by boat between eerie locations. This isn't just a gimmick; it directly reinforces the game's emotional core: survival through connection. Expect some truly nail-biting shared moments with a friend.

Tarsier's Vision: From Little Nightmares to REANIMAL

Coming from the Little Nightmares legacy, Tarsier Studios has cemented its reputation for crafting worlds brimming with symbolic monsters and vulnerable heroes. REANIMAL takes that identity and pushes it further with new creature designs explicitly inspired by childhood trauma and fractured memories. Visually, it's a cinematic masterclass – grotesque enemies, crumbling environments, and haunting lighting create a world that feels both surreal and deeply personal. This is the kind of horror that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

As Oliver Merlöv, Managing Director at Tarsier Studios, puts it: “The REANIMAL experience is a clear reflection of who Tarsier is – a group of individuals with a shared sensibility that feel privileged to have been able to work together on a game like this. We believe the more personal the art, the more attention poured into every detail, the more worthy a game is of player’s time. We can’t wait for them to play REANIMAL!” That passion absolutely bleeds into the final product, and it's something veteran players will appreciate.

Editions and Future Content

For those ready to dive in, REANIMAL launches with two editions:

Standard Edition

• Full base game
• Price: £39.99

Deluxe Edition

• Full base game
• Season Pass (expands story across three future DLC chapters throughout 2026 and early 2027)
• Foxhead and Muttonhead Masks DLC (cosmetic disguises)
• Price: £49.99

Our Take: A Haunting New Adventure Begins

REANIMAL feels like a natural, yet ambitious, step forward for Tarsier Studios. It’s bigger in scope, more cooperative in design, and just as emotionally potent. While we await our full review, early impressions suggest this is poised to be one of the year's most memorable horror releases. Just a heads-up for our Xbox players: REANIMAL isn't hitting Game Pass at launch. So, if you're ready to share the fear, remember what Tarsier is telling us with this game: nobody should face the nightmare alone. Grab a friend, because this one's going to be wild.