Very Little Nightmares is a puzzle-platformer adventure played through intuitive touch controls. You guide a small character in a yellow raincoat through a mysterious, distorted residence known as the Nest. The gameplay involves navigating environmental puzzles, avoiding monstrous inhabitants, and manipulating objects to progress.

The mobile experience is built around exploration and atmosphere. The isometric perspective and careful use of sound create a tense mood. Interactions, such as pushing items or hiding, are performed with simple taps and swipes, designed specifically for touchscreens.

Success relies on observation, timing, and stealth rather than combat. The game presents a series of interconnected rooms and challenges that gradually increase in complexity, telling its story visually without extensive dialogue.