REANIMAL is a highly anticipated title from the original creators of Little Nightmares one and two, Tarsier Studios. The game features both local and online co-op with crossplay/cross-platform functionality, so players can start their adventure on a single copy via the Friend's Pass. This will be a quick guide covering how to set up online and local/couch co-op in REANIMAL, so you can start this dark and twisted world with your friends as soon as possible.
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How to Play REANIMAL With Friends Via Online Co-Op (Friend's Pass)
Players can choose to enjoy REANIMAL's tale either solo via the single-player mode or with their friends via co-op. The game features two co-op modes, the first of which is the online co-op that also supports crossplay/cross-platform functionality.
To set up online co-op, simply head into the co-op settings, and you'll either need to host a session or join a friend's lobby. When you're hosting, you'll get the chance to pick which character you want to play REANIMAL co-op with.
The boy will play an active part in the puzzle-solving and minor combat that the game has to offer, while the girl will be more of a supportive character (she does get a weapon later on). Players familiar with the Little Nightmares formula can choose to play as the boy, while newcomer gamers can pick the girl to enjoy a smoother ride through this gritty world. Players can easily swap characters mid-way.
Once you've successfully hosted a lobby, you'll get a lobby code. You can share this lobby code with your friends, which will help them join your gameplay session. Alternatively, you can directly invite them via Steam (PC), PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch native gameplay invite systems.
Tarsier Studios has confirmed REANIMAL will support Friend's Pass for online co-op mode. This means your friend will need to download the Friend's Pass version of REANIMAL (which will likely be the Demo version on their respective platform).
How to Play REANIMAL With Friends Via Couch/Local Co-Op
Local or couch co-op is the easiest to set up, as you'll be playing with your friend on the same platform. Just make sure you have two sets of controllers connected to your device, whether it's a PC or a console.
After heading into the co-op settings from the main menu, select the "Local Co-Op" option. The player who wants to play as the boy will need to input anything on their controller to assume the role of player one. Similarly, the second player will assume the character of the Girl, and then you can choose to start your adventure in REANIMAL via local/couch co-op.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 86%
- Released
- February 13, 2026
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Tarsier Studios
- Publisher(s)
- THQ Nordic
WHERE TO PLAY
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Full
- Number of Players
- 1-2 players
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- February 13, 2026
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- February 13, 2026
- PS5 Release Date
- February 13, 2026
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- February 13, 2026
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- Local Co-Op Support
- Yes
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 12.03 GB
