Little Nightmares 2 - Alternative Ending Gameplay Mechanic / Reflections Inspired By Ending

TLDR : Gameplay Mechanic To Achieve Alternative Ending

If the Player presses the "Call" button, at just the right time, just when Six is lowering her arm to drop Mono, she pauses, looks at him, pulls up.

Reflections : Twitter Message / Thread Sent To Tarsier Studios

u/TarsierStudios u/BandaiNamcoEU Just finished Little Nightmares 2. Thank you for creating an amazing sequel. The inimitably unique art style, haunting music, heart pounding cat and mouse gameplay were mesmerizing. The only issue I had, same as most players, is : that ending.

[SPOILER ALERT, for anyone who keeps reading and hasn't played the game]

Unfortunately, the ending of Little Nightmares 2 diminished the entire experience for me. It took a game I would have given a 9 out of 10, to an 8 out of 10, maybe even 7.5.

A game which is designed to evoke strong emotions in the player (which Little Nightmares 2 does fantastically), takes them on a journey to explore their feelings. The Developer puts their energy into crafting the experience; the Player gives their time.

So, when a Player spends 8 hours striving to guide and protect 2 children, only for the experience to end in tragedy...it leaves one feeling : empty, the game less meaningful, not more meaningful. Why make the effort, if the whole endeavor is fruitless?

This question gets to the heart of the human experience : do human beings need hope? The answer of course is : it is as necessary as air. If someone knows that no matter how hard they try, they will be trapped in a cycle of endless despair, why get out of bed?

u/TarsierStudios I understand the goal was a game exploring childhood trauma, the strong emotions, oftentimes illogical, impulsive, decisions children make without considering the consequences. That's why we tell stories to children to teach them a better way.

I was left feeling cold, bleak after finishing Little Nightmares 2. I went onto Youtube to see other reactions. I found a fan made video with an alternative ending. This ending made the game's journey worthwhile, tightened my chest, and brought tears to my eyes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-OO9_iCacw&t=2s

Why is the biggest complaint about Little Nightmares 2 the ending? Why do we tell our children stories about overcoming tragedy, loss? What's a more meaningful gaming, living experience : feeling empty, dead inside, or experiencing sorrow, but grabbing hope?

u/TarsierStudios Wish : Player Agency for Alternative Ending 1. Kept the Normal Ending. It was powerful, but... 2. If the Player presses the "Call" button, at just the right time, just when Six is lowering her arm to drop Mono, she pauses, looks at him, pulls up.

Mono and Six have been gently calling each other throughout the game, providing reassurance, facilitating cooperation. Six feels betrayed Mono used "Call" to trick her into moving away from her music box so he could destroy it and free her from the tower's hold.

But, in the moment of decision, when Six holds Mono's future in her hand, she hears him call her, looks into his face, the face of the boy who risked everything to save her again and again, and she remembers friendship, remembers forgiveness, remembers hope.

Life can be hard. That is part of the human experience. Children need to learn that growing up so they have the strength to face the many challenges life will give them. The stories we tell our children need to be ones that teach them to hope and never give up.

u/TarsierStudios So, thank you again for an amazing gaming experience. The ending was my biggest issue, but thanks to the tear evoking fan made alternative ending I shared, and my dream of an alternative ending mechanic, I feel much better about the game. Be well.