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REANIMAL Review: A Striking Horror Adventure with Familiar Edges

A horror adventure with striking atmosphere and solo or co-op play, REANIMAL may appeal to fans of unsettling worlds—but its familiar gameplay and story ambiguity may not suit everyone.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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REANIMAL is a horror adventure about a brother and sister trying to rescue their missing friends. It is playable solo or in local and online co-op, and its shared, directed camera helps frame the journey as a close, claustrophobic experience. Critics have praised its atmosphere and imagery, while raising different concerns about familiar gameplay and an ambiguous story.

What is REANIMAL?

Developed by Tarsier Studios and published by THQ Nordic, REANIMAL follows a brother and sister as they go through hell to rescue their missing friends. The premise and compactly framed horror adventure will be familiar territory to players who know Tarsier’s earlier work, but the game stands on its own setup and world.

REANIMAL launched on February 13, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, according to THQ Nordic. The official PlayStation listing describes solo play as well as local and online co-op. It also highlights a shared, directed camera intended to heighten claustrophobia and tension.

How does REANIMAL play alone or in co-op?

You can play alone or with another person in local or online co-op. That makes the game a practical option whether you want to take on its horror adventure by yourself or share it with someone else. The official listing describes a shared camera, so the perspective is designed around keeping the characters’ experience within a common frame rather than giving each player an independent view.

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#1 Best Overall
The Sinking Forest (PS5)
  • Standard Edition includes: Full Physical Game, Reversible Cover and Ofuda Amulet
  • Spectacular graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5: Experience stunning visuals featuring realistic environments, advanced lighting effects and a level of detail that heightens every moment of tension
  • A tragic and macabre horror story: Immerse yourself in a dark and emotionally intense narrative, where fear comes not only from what lurks in the shadows
  • Survival Horror where enemies can kill you (and you can defend yourself!): face lethal enemies in an environment where every encounter can be deadly. You are not helpless: you can defend yourself to survive... if you have the courage to do so
  • An incredible Japanese setting: delve into environments inspired by Japanese culture and folklore, with a dense, eerie and authentic atmosphere. Each scenario is a key piece of horror

The available product information confirms the modes, but does not establish a detailed comparison of how the solo and co-op experiences differ. If choosing a mode matters to you, the central question is whether you prefer to face the atmosphere alone or experience it alongside another player.

What do critics say about the atmosphere and gameplay?

PC Gamer describes REANIMAL as atmospheric and visually striking, while criticizing what it sees as limited evolution in the gameplay approach. That is one publication’s review judgment, not a measured consensus. It points to a key trade-off: the presentation may be the main draw, while players looking for a substantially different gameplay formula may find the design familiar. (PC Gamer’s review)

GamesRadar praises the disturbing imagery and world building, but argues that the game’s ambiguity and weak narrative connections may frustrate some players. That reaction is also an individual critic’s assessment. The game may be a better fit if you enjoy piecing together unsettling worlds than if you want every story thread explained clearly. (GamesRadar’s review)

Rank #2
The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie - Deluxe Edition (PS5)
  • A Trio of Trails: Experience three different story arcs and switch between them any time with the Trails to Walk system. Plus, discover side episodes to fully flesh out the characters and world of Zemuria.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Should you play REANIMAL?

REANIMAL is worth considering if you want a horror adventure centered on eerie imagery, a claustrophobic shared camera, and either solo or co-op play. The cited reviews make atmosphere and world building its strongest reported attractions, but also flag familiar gameplay and an ambiguous narrative as possible sticking points.

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  • Consider it if striking horror imagery and atmospheric world building matter more to you than a radically new gameplay approach.
  • Choose your play mode based on whether you want to play alone or alongside someone in local or online co-op.
  • Look elsewhere if you strongly prefer explicit story explanations or want a gameplay approach critics describe as a clear departure from familiar patterns.

The evidence available here does not establish platform-by-platform performance differences or a comprehensive critical consensus, so it cannot support a recommendation for one version over another.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
The Sinking Forest (PS5)
The Sinking Forest (PS5)
Standard Edition includes: Full Physical Game, Reversible Cover and Ofuda Amulet
$33.20

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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