How Long is Little Nightmares? A Game Duration Guide

If you’re considering playing Little Nightmares or are simply curious about its length, you’ve come to the right place. Little Nightmares offers a unique blend of horror and platforming that many players have come to love. In this article, we’ll explore the different playtimes associated with the game, from the main story to what it takes to achieve 100% completion. Let’s dive in.

How Long is Little Nightmares? A Quick Glance at Playtime

Main Story:

For players experiencing “Little Nightmares” for the first time and focusing primarily on the main story, on average, it would take 3 hours and 30 minutes. This includes navigating the eerie environments, avoiding monstrous foes, and experiencing the core narrative.

Main Story + Some Extras:

For players who delve into the main story and also tackle some extras, such as discovering hidden collectibles and exploring secret rooms, the gameplay duration is approximately 4 to 5 hours.

Completionists (100%):

Those aiming for 100% completion—finding all collectibles, uncovering every hidden secret, and fully exploring the game’s narrative nuances—can expect to invest about 7 to 8 hours.

Speedruns:

Speedrunners, aim to finish the game as rapidly as possible using various strategies and shortcuts and have diverse categories for their runs. As of writing, the speedrun record for Little Nightmares’ main story is 32 minutes and 57 seconds.

Factors that Influence Playtime in Little Nightmares:

Understanding the various elements that can impact a player’s time within Little Nightmares can provide a deeper appreciation for the game’s intricacies and design. These factors, while diverse, come together to create a unique experience for each player, making each playthrough distinct and memorable.

1. Puzzle Complexity: Little Nightmares is a game interspersed with puzzles. How fast a player can solve these puzzles directly affects the playtime. Some puzzles can be challenging and might require multiple attempts or periods of contemplation.
2. Exploration: The game features numerous hidden rooms and areas. Players who choose to explore every nook and cranny will inevitably spend more time in the game than those who stick to the primary path.
3. Encounters with Antagonists: Throughout the game, players come across various monstrous entities. Each encounter can be challenging, and the time it takes to learn and bypass each enemy can vary widely among players.
4. Trial and Error: The game has several sections where players might not immediately know what to do or where to go. This process of trial and error can extend the game’s duration.
5. Collectibles: The game contains collectible items scattered throughout. Players who decide to collect all these items will add to their playtime.
6. Player’s Gaming Experience: Those familiar with platformers or horror-puzzle games might progress through Little Nightmares more quickly than those new to the genre.
7. Environmental Interaction: Interacting with the game’s environment, like using objects to create paths or bypass obstacles, can be intuitive for some and challenging for others, thus influencing playtime.

Remember, the enjoyment of Little Nightmares comes not just from completing it, but from immersing oneself in its atmospheric world and narrative. Playtime can vary greatly based on individual player choices and play style.

Criteria for 100% Completion:

Achieving 100% completion in “Little Nightmares” requires more than just finishing the main story. With its rich environments and cryptic storyline, the game offers various layers of depth, all contributing to its completion rate. Here’s a breakdown of what’s needed for the full experience:

1. Main Story Achievements: Completing each of the main sections of the game will net you a set of achievements. This includes:
   • The Prison
   • The Lair
   • The Kitchen
   • The Guest Area
   • The Lady’s Quarters
2. Miscellaneous Achievements: These are unique tasks or occurrences throughout the game that, while not directly tied to the story’s progression, provide depth to the experience:
   • Highly Sprung
   • Six’s Song
   • Kitchen Hand
   • Elusive
3. Collectible Achievements: “Little Nightmares” is filled with various items and interactions that players can collect or engage with. These encompass:
   • Hugging all gnomes (Little Lost Things)
   • Breaking all geisha dolls (Rascal)
   • Lighting 20 lanterns (Light Up Your Life)
4. Speed Run Achievement: One of the more challenging feats in the game, players will need to finish the game in under an hour without dying to earn the “Hard to the Core” achievement.
5. Play Multiple Times: It’s possible that players might need to play through the game more than once to earn all achievements, especially if they miss out on certain tasks or collectibles in the initial run.
6. Stay Diligent with Chapter Select: Some collectibles, as mentioned, might be more accessible or only achievable when playing through specific chapters. For instance, a collectible in Chapter 4 could necessitate beginning from Chapter 3 due to how the game segments its sections.

In essence, 100% completion isn’t just about finishing the story; it’s about fully engaging with every hidden layer and nuance the game has to offer.