Last updated: February 17, 2026
🔥 The REANIMAL Situation Explained
REANIMAL launched missing the promised Friends Pass — a key co-op feature where one player shares their copy with friends. This led to review bombs and a controversial reception, causing peak concurrent players to drop from 24,000 to 13,700 (−43%).
The good news: the Friends Pass has since been patched in, and the underlying game — from Tarsier Studios (Little Nightmares, Little Nightmares II) — is the atmospheric horror co-op it was always meant to be. If you were waiting to see if it recovered, the patch is live.
📊 Key Stats
💬 Is REANIMAL Worth Playing?
✅ Reasons to Play
- Tarsier Studios pedigree — creators of acclaimed Little Nightmares series
- Friends Pass now live — play co-op without everyone buying a copy
- Atmospheric horror co-op in Tarsier's signature dark visual style
- Developer responded quickly and patched the main complaint
❌ Things to Consider
- Controversial launch damaged community trust and review score
- Peak players declining 43% — community smaller than at launch
- Horror co-op genre is increasingly saturated in 2026
FAQ: Is REANIMAL Worth Playing in 2026?
Is REANIMAL worth playing in 2026?
If you're a fan of atmospheric horror co-op and Tarsier Studios' work on Little Nightmares, yes — especially now that the Friends Pass is patched in. The peak player decline is a concern for community longevity, but the core game quality from a proven studio is there.
Is REANIMAL free to play?
No — REANIMAL is a paid game on Steam. However, with the Friends Pass feature now live, one purchase can be shared with friends for co-op play. Check Steam for current pricing.
Does REANIMAL have a Friends Pass?
Yes — REANIMAL now has a Friends Pass after it was patched post-launch. The missing Friends Pass at launch caused review bombs, but Tarsier Studios responded and added it. One player can now invite friends to play co-op without everyone needing to buy a separate copy.
Who made REANIMAL?
REANIMAL was made by Tarsier Studios, a Swedish developer known for Little Nightmares (2017) and Little Nightmares II (2021). REANIMAL is their first original IP outside of that series, sharing their signature dark, atmospheric horror visual style.
