Product Info

Platform

Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC

Publisher

Playtonic Friends

Developer

MegaWobble

Series

Lil Gator Game

Genre

Adventure, Platform

Players

1

File Size (Minimum)

3 MB

Release Date (NA)

Feb 12, 2026

Purchase From

eShop

PSN Store

Microsoft Store

Steam

Lil Gator Game: In the Dark is the additional content adventure for the original game, Lil Gator Game. It’s very similar to the original game as it carries over with a new heartwarming, cozy story with entertaining gameplay mechanics. However, players should expect a shorter adventure beneath the island.

Meet the Overlord

In the Dark is an optional downloadable content (DLC) that requires owning the 2023 base game, Lil Gator Game. If you enjoyed the game as much as we did, its entertaining game mechanics and heartwarming story should not hold you back on picking this up. 

While the original game focused on the Hero building a town on the island’s playground in a carefree environment, In the Dark adds a bit more story. You will encounter four characters in the “Overlord” gang who oppose the Hero, which is you, as you try to protect the town you helped build on the island’s playground. Darklord, also known as Buddy, is a young boy who dresses the part of an overlord with devil horns and a cape. Though his attitude towards his comrades is less than pleasant and causes ruffles as the game’s main story. 

You will meet this misfit cast underground on the island that has their own unique personality. For example, Ruth is laid back and constantly sleepy. To gain access to this new adventure underground, players are required to complete the game’s story in Lil Gator Game, which only takes a few hours if you rush through it. Once you have access, you will encounter the Overlord gang as they accidentally set off fireworks, causing chaos underground. You will once again play as the Hero and confront each member of the Overlord’s gang before facing the Overlord himself. 

The story is charming, with heartwarming moments and humorous dialogues as you recruit members to join your quest. While the Hero showed some growth at the end of the story in Lil Gator Game, he demonstrates even more maturity in this new story between him and Buddy. Watching him try to bring positivity to Buddy, and then experiencing the world through the Overlord’s eyes as players get to control him for a brief period, makes for a heartwarming tale of character growth.

Players will already be familiar with the Hero’s comrades, who will assist you by asking you to find more members in the cave to help defeat the Overlord’s minions. Battles consist of quirky comedy dialogues and mini-games, such as collecting cardboard skeletons without waking up Ruth or participating in a swim race against Amberly. Finding people and completing small quests requires more effort than actually confronting the minions. However, Amberly’s swimming race proves to be more of a challenge than anything else in the game.

A Charming Way

Just like the original, you’ll still collect cardboard and confetti to make new headgear and swords in the DLC. The biggest addition between this DLC and the main game are the weapons, some of which use various styles. For example, the pickaxe can take down a wall of boulders, opening new areas on the island. Other weapons, such as the long rod, allow players to hover in the air for a short time while spinning it and taking down objects around. This is the most useful weapon, although it cannot take down boulders like the pickaxe. As a boost to your newfound weapons you earn Charms. The more Charms you have, the more times you can use weapon skills like hovering. This becomes very useful in timed races. While its mechanics are not the same, the Charms and weapon style gives off a familiar feeling of the Kingdom Hearts series. 

One great aspect of these additions is that you can use them in the main game, and the transition back and forth is very smooth, with only a short loading screen. For those who picked up the bracelets on the main island, they don’t have much use underground, as everything is climbable to navigate. Like the first game, there’s no navigation map, so expect to get lost early on until you start recognizing key spots. It does make it challenging to find characters to recruit. 

The underground world is both visually fun and the gameplay to move around is  just like the outside world but on a smaller scale and with a shorter completion time. Regardless, it’s a fun experience whether you’re returning to play the game in 2023 or new to the cozy adventure. If you found the original to be too repetitive, don’t expect big changes in this DLC. 

The visuals are very clean, with simple shapes and polygon shapes. Colors still pop, even with lower lighting underground in caves. The whimsical soundtrack continues to enhance the heartwarming story between the Overlord and Hero. If you enjoyed the original game, you’ll love this new adventure.

The Final Battle

Lil Gator: In the Dark adds another cozy, heartwarming adventure filled with underground fun and humor. However, it feels shorter than the base game. Still, it’s a great new piece of content for those who enjoyed the original game.A PlayStation 5 review code was provided for the game.

Lil Gator: In the Dark is available now for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam). Players can visit the game’s official site for additional information and purchasing options.