For the first time in the series, Little Nightmares 3 transforms its haunting, solitary adventure into a fully shared experience. Players can now face the eerie depths of The Spiral together through online multiplayer co-op. Whether you want to explore the world alongside a trusted friend or test the limits of your teamwork, the new Friend’s Pass system makes it easier than ever to jump in — even if only one of you owns the full game.
How Multiplayer Works in Little Nightmares 3
Unlike its predecessors, Little Nightmares 3 is built from the ground up for two-player co-op. Players can experience the full story together online, with each person controlling one of the two protagonists — Low and Alone.
- Low wields a bow and arrows, offering ranged precision and puzzle-solving flexibility.
- Alone uses a wrench, giving her the strength to manipulate levers and smash through barriers.
Together, they must cooperate to survive traps, solve environmental puzzles, and escape the grotesque Residents that haunt every corner of The Spiral. The game balances both roles so that neither player feels secondary — success depends equally on both.
How to Play Online Co-Op in Little Nightmares 3
Starting co-op play in Little Nightmares 3 is straightforward:
- From the main menu, select the Multiplayer option.
- Wait for the game to create an online session — this may take a few seconds depending on your connection.
- Once the session is ready, invite your friend from your friend list using the prompt (X on PlayStation, A on Xbox, etc.).
- After your friend joins, you’ll both choose your character — Low or Alone — and begin the journey.
Important Notes
- Multiplayer is online-only — there’s no local or couch co-op.
- Both players must be on the same platform. Cross-play between PC and consoles (or between different console families) is not supported at launch.
- An internet connection is required throughout the session.
How the Friend’s Pass Works
The Friend’s Pass is one of the most player-friendly features in Little Nightmares 3. It allows two players to experience the entire game together — even if only one person owns the full copy.
Here’s how it works:
- The player who owns the full game starts a session.
- The second player downloads the Free Trial & Friend’s Pass version from their store (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch).
- Once downloaded, they can join their friend’s game online using an invitation.
- Both players must be on the same platform for this feature to work.
This setup makes it possible for two players to complete the full campaign together using just one purchased copy.
You can also test the game first — both players can download the trial and play roughly the first 30 minutes together for free. If one player later buys the game, progress carries over, allowing you to continue your playthrough without restarting.
Save System and Mode Restrictions
Little Nightmares 3 has up to eight save slots, but there’s a key rule to remember:
- If you start a game in co-op, it must be finished in co-op.
- If you start solo, it remains solo for the entire playthrough.
You can’t switch between solo and multiplayer mid-campaign. However, you can create separate save files to enjoy both experiences — one alone, and one with a partner.
Can You Play Solo?
Yes. If you prefer to face The Spiral alone, Little Nightmares 3 fully supports single-player mode. When playing solo:
- The second protagonist (either Low or Alone) will be controlled by AI.
- The AI companion is designed to act intelligently, assisting with puzzles and navigation.
This ensures the same story and gameplay progression, though the emotional experience changes — solitude amplifies the tension, while co-op transforms it into shared fear and coordination.
Cross-Play and Cross-Generation Support
At launch, Little Nightmares 3 does not include cross-platform multiplayer.
- PC players can only join other PC players.
- PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch ecosystems are each isolated.
Cross-generation play (for example, PS4 ↔ PS5 or Switch ↔ Switch 2) is being explored but not confirmed for release day. Future updates may expand this functionality.
See also: 10 Best Horror Games That Will Keep You Up All Night – Ranked!
Platform Availability and Release Date
Little Nightmares 3 launches on October 10, 2025, across:
- PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- PC (Steam)
- Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2
Quick Reference: Co-Op and Multiplayer Details
| Feature | Supported? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online Co-Op | Yes | Two players, internet required |
| Local (Couch) Co-Op | No | Online only |
| Friend’s Pass | Yes | One copy required |
| Solo Play | Yes | AI controls second character |
| Cross-Play | No | Platform-locked |
| Save Slot Limit | 8 | Separate slots for co-op and solo |
Whether you’re creeping through the corridors of The Spiral alone or with a friend, Little Nightmares offers a chilling new way to experience the series. With the Friend’s Pass feature, only one player needs to take the plunge — but both will share every scream.
