Little Nightmares 3 Co-Op: Online Only, Cross-Play?
Little Nightmares 3 is a two-player co-op game, and it is online-only — there is no local split-screen or couch co-op. You can play with one friend online, and cross-play is supported across all platforms (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch), so you can team up with someone on a different system. The game also offers a “friend pass� system, letting one player invite a friend to play for free even if that friend doesn’t own the game.
Background: Why Online-Only?
Little Nightmares 3, developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco, marks a shift for the series. The first two games were single-player only, with no co-op at all. For the third installment, the developers chose to introduce a two-player experience as a core feature, allowing you to play as Low and Alone, two new characters. The decision to make it online-only was likely driven by technical and design reasons — the game’s atmospheric, puzzle-heavy levels require close coordination, and online co-op allows for a consistent experience without the performance constraints of split-screen. It also simplifies development, as the game can be built around a single online multiplayer model.
How Co-Op Works in Little Nightmares 3
Co-op in Little Nightmares 3 is drop-in/drop-out, meaning you can join a friend’s game or they can join yours at any time. The game supports two players maximum. Here’s how it works:
- You can invite a friend from your platform’s friends list or via a join code.
- The host progresses through the story; the guest joins as the second character.
- Both players need to cooperate to solve puzzles, sneak past enemies, and progress through the levels.
- If a player drops out, the other can continue alone, with the AI taking over the second character temporarily.
There is no matchmaking with strangers — you can only play with friends. This keeps the experience focused and avoids the chaos of random players.
Cross-Play and Friend Pass: What You Need to Know
Cross-play is fully supported, meaning you can play with friends on any combination of platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. This is a big plus for players who have friends on different systems. The friend pass is a separate feature that allows a player who owns the game to invite a friend who doesn’t own it to play online together. The friend can download a free version of the game that only works in co-op with the owner. This is similar to the “Friend Pass� system used in games like It Takes Two. The friend pass is available on all platforms, but the friend must have an account on the same platform as the host (e.g., if the host is on PlayStation, the friend must also be on PlayStation). Cross-play does not apply to the friend pass — the friend must be on the same platform as the host to use it.
How to Set Up Co-Op: Step-by-Step
Setting up co-op is straightforward. Here’s what you do:
- Launch Little Nightmares 3 and select “Co-op� from the main menu.
- Choose “Host Game� to start a new session or “Join Game� to enter a code.
- If hosting, send an invite to a friend from your platform’s friends list, or share the join code.
- If joining, enter the code your friend provided.
- Once connected, the game will load the current chapter, and you’ll both control Low and Alone.
Make sure both players have a stable internet connection and, if cross-playing, that both are online and have the game updated to the same version.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Players may encounter issues when trying to play co-op. Here are some common problems and likely fixes:
- Can’t invite friend: Ensure both are online and friends on the platform. Restart the game if the invite doesn’t appear.
- Cross-play not working: Check that cross-play is enabled in the game’s settings (it should be on by default). Also, ensure both players have the latest game update.
- Friend pass not working: The friend must download the friend pass version from the same platform’s store. They must also have an active online subscription (e.g., PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold) if the platform requires it.
- Connection drops: This is usually a network issue. Try restarting your router, using a wired connection, or having the host switch to a different player.
- Audio or sync issues: These are rare but can happen. Restarting the session usually fixes them.
Comparing to Other Co-Op Games
Little Nightmares 3’s co-op is similar to games like It Takes Two and A Way Out in that it requires two players and is online-only. However, unlike those games, Little Nightmares 3 is not a pure co-op game — it can be played solo with AI, and the co-op is optional. This is a departure from the previous Little Nightmares games, which were strictly single-player. The friend pass is a common feature in co-op games, but not universal. For example, It Takes Two has a friend pass, but Overcooked does not. The online-only nature is also a point of comparison: some players prefer local co-op, but the trend in modern games is moving toward online-only to support cross-play and larger worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Little Nightmares 3 with a friend on a different platform?
Yes, cross-play is supported across all platforms. You can play with a friend on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, regardless of which one you own.
Is there local co-op or split-screen?
No, Little Nightmares 3 is online-only. There is no local co-op or split-screen mode. Each player needs their own console or PC and a copy of the game (or use the friend pass).
How does the friend pass work?
The friend pass allows a player who owns the game to invite a friend to play online for free. The friend downloads a free version of the game that only works in co-op with the owner. The friend must be on the same platform as the host (e.g., both on PlayStation) to use the friend pass.
Can I play solo if I don’t have a friend?
Yes, you can play the entire game solo. The second character will be controlled by AI, and you can switch between the two characters as needed. This is a good option if you prefer a single-player experience.
Do I need a subscription like PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold to play online?
Yes, to play online co-op on consoles, you will need an active subscription to the platform’s online service (PlayStation Plus for PlayStation, Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Core for Xbox). On PC, no subscription is required.
Will there be cross-save or cross-progression?
There is no official confirmation of cross-save or cross-progression at this time. It’s likely that progress is tied to the platform you play on, so if you switch platforms, you may have to start over.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.