Reanimal release turns into scandal: gamers drop game rating due to developer's (or publisher's) deceitful decision
The release of the adventure horror with platformer elements Reanimal by Tarsier Studios — the authors of the first two parts of Little Nightmares — has taken place.
The game is already available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2 and is very popular with critics, as well as having every chance of huge success among gamers, but an ugly act by the developer (or publisher) has immediately tarnished the game's reputation.
What's known
Before the release, the authors stated that since Reanimal is designed for cooperative playthrough, a Friend Pass would be available that allows inviting a second player without needing to purchase a second copy (as implemented in Little Nightmares 3 or It Takes Two, for example).
However, to the disappointment of gamers, it turned out that this option would be available “later,” and currently, invitations can only be sent to those who have purchased the game. If the developers mentioned this, it went completely unnoticed amidst the massive advertising campaign focusing on the advantages and features of Reanimal. Judging by reviews on Steam, many bought the game specifically for the possibility of cooperative playthrough with only one purchased copy.
As a result, we have a situation where critics and those who initially planned to play solo are delighted with the game and praise all its aspects (80 points on Metacritic and 81 points with 86% recommendations on OpenCritic), while co-op fans feel cheated and justifiably bombarded Reanimal's rating on Steam — at the time of writing, 33% positive reviews.
Probably, the studio will eventually make the Friend Pass, but Tarsier's reputation, as well as that of the game itself, is already tarnished. Although, objectively, it was likely a decision by the publisher THQ Nordic.
Source: Tarsier Studios
