Reanimal review: "A feast of twisted weirdness conjuring up unpleasant imagery and dark world building"

Published: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 4:00 pm

Reanimal: A Descent into Twisted Surrealism

The newly released game, *Reanimal*, offers a visceral and unsettling experience, according to a recent review. The game plunges players into a surreal world filled with disturbing imagery and nightmarish creatures, promising a potent dose of "playable trauma."

The core gameplay involves navigating a bizarre landscape as two children, evading grotesque entities and overcoming obstacles. Survival hinges on stealth and strategic route planning, as the game presents a constant threat of gruesome deaths. Players will encounter a variety of horrors, from "limp, empty people skins" to monstrous animals and other unsettling creations. Combat is present, but described as clumsy and frantic, relying on a crowbar and button mashing.

The game's world is described as expansive, despite its linear structure. Players will utilize vehicles like boats and trucks to traverse the environment, with branching paths and hidden areas offering additional content. Puzzles are straightforward, primarily involving finding keys or tools to progress. The focus is on exploration and experiencing the game's unsettling atmosphere.

The review highlights the game's impressive art direction and environmental design, with memorable moments including a homicidal cloud of seagulls and an underwater sequence. The game's fixed camera angles contribute to cinematic moments, enhancing the sense of dread and confinement. However, the review notes a lack of cohesion, with the game feeling more like a collection of vignettes than a unified narrative. While individual sections are well-crafted, the absence of a clear antagonist or overarching theme leaves the experience feeling somewhat disjointed.

BNN's Perspective: *Reanimal* appears to be a visually striking and creatively ambitious horror game. While the lack of narrative cohesion may disappoint some players, the game's unique atmosphere and unsettling imagery could still provide a compelling experience for fans of the genre. The game's focus on exploration and environmental storytelling suggests a willingness to prioritize atmosphere over traditional narrative structure, which could be a refreshing approach for some.

Keywords: Reanimal, horror game, surreal, grotesque, creatures, stealth, puzzles, environment, gameplay, review, Tarsier Studios, Little Nightmares, unsettling, atmosphere, cinematic, narrative, disjointed, playable trauma, monsters, exploration.

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