Hey everyone, if you’re into quirky indie games that blend horror with chaotic action, you’ve probably heard the buzz around Hotel Barcelona. As someone who’s sunk hours into roguelites like Dead Cells and Hades, I was pumped when I learned this one comes from the twisted minds of Hidetaka “SWERY” Suehiro and Goichi “Suda51” Suda – the guys behind cult hits like Deadly Premonition and No More Heroes. Released on September 26, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S by White Owls Inc. and publisher CULT Games, it’s a 2.5D horror roguelite that’s equal parts intriguing and infuriating. In this review, I’ll break down the gameplay, story, highs, lows, and whether it’s worth your time. Spoiler: it’s not for everyone, but it might just hook you if you love weird vibes over polished perfection.

The Setup: A Cursed Hotel and a Split-Personality Protagonist

Picture this: You’re Justine, a no-nonsense federal marshal on a revenge quest after a witch offs your dad. You crash-land at the eerie Hotel Barcelona, nestled on the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border – think The Shining‘s Overlook but with more serial killers and fewer hedge mazes. Inside your head lives Dr. Carnival, a creepy serial killer who hijacks your body, turning you into a bloodthirsty alter ego named Bernstein. Together, you hack through waves of B-movie monsters to break the hotel’s curse.

The story draws heavily from horror classics – nods to Friday the 13th, alien invasions, and slasher flicks are everywhere. It’s delivered through quirky dialogues, voice-acted cutscenes (pro tip: switch to Japanese voices for that authentic flair), and journal entries that unfold as you die and respawn. Yeah, dying is key here, just like in any good roguelite. The narrative has some solid twists about Dr. Carnival’s shady past and Justine’s moral dilemmas, but it can feel clichéd at times, veering into eye-roll territory with outdated humor. Still, if you’re a horror buff, spotting those Easter eggs is half the fun.

One standout is the hotel hub itself. Between runs, you chill at the bar chatting with a bizarre bartender obsessed with trading ears (don’t ask), dump quarters into a haunted pinball machine, or gamble on weapon upgrades with a Tim Curry superfan. It’s underused – I wished for more interactions or explorable rooms – but it adds that SWERY-Suda51 eccentricity that makes their games memorable.

Gameplay Loop: Hack, Slash, Die, Repeat – With a Twist

At its core, Hotel Barcelona follows the roguelite formula: Pick a stage, gear up with melee (axes, buzzsaws, katanas) and ranged weapons (shotguns, flamethrowers), then battle through procedurally-ish generated levels to a boss. Die? Back to the hotel to spend body parts and cash on permanent upgrades via a hefty skill tree. Unlock combos, parries, dodges, and buffs to make Justine less clunky and more lethal.

But here’s where it shines – or stumbles, depending on your patience. Combat feels heavy and imprecise at first. Light and heavy attacks lack that satisfying “oomph,” and enemies (zombies, chainsaw maniacs, giant flesh golems) hit like trucks. Early runs are brutal; I got combo-locked into death more times than I’d admit. Ranged weapons feel like pea shooters, and melee wind-ups are sluggish. It’s no Hollow Knight in terms of fluidity – think more hack-and-slash chaos with less finesse.

What saves it? The innovative Slasher Phantom system. Your failed runs turn into “ghosts” that replay your actions in future attempts, fighting alongside you. Stack up to three phantoms, and suddenly bosses become team takedowns. It’s genius – like racing game ghosts but for combat – and it makes progress feel tangible even in defeat. Plus, the Blood Splatter Gauge rewards aggressive play: Dismember foes to fill it for buffs and screen-clearing ultimates. Phantoms can trigger these too, leading to epic mayhem.

Levels branch with door choices offering buffs, trials, or risks. Weather and ailments tweak stats (e.g., rain boosts crits on certain weapons), but perks often feel minor – a 2-5% bump that barely registers. Bosses are highlights, with cool intros and patterns inspired by horror tropes, though some are unfairly punishing until you grind upgrades.

On the flip side, controls can be unresponsive. Attacks sometimes whiff for no reason, and platforming gets fiddly in later stages with time pressures. I hit a few bugs – screen freezes, performance dips with multiple phantoms – but nothing game-breaking. There’s even a multiplayer invasion mode à la Dark Souls, though I couldn’t test it pre-launch.

Playtime? My first playthrough took 7-10 hours to credits, but secrets, optional bosses (including a retro gem), and higher difficulties add replayability. Easy mode dials back the grind if Normal frustrates you.

Pros and Cons: What Works and What Doesn’t

Let’s break it down honestly:

Pros:

• Unique Phantom System: Turns failure into an asset – super innovative for roguelites.
• Horror Vibes and References: Packed with nods to classics; the surreal story and characters ooze SWERY-Suda51 charm.
• Rewarding Progression: Skill tree and upgrades make you feel powerful over time.
• Style Over Substance: If the weirdness clicks, it’s addictive despite flaws.

Cons:

• Clunky Combat: Feels weightless and frustrating early on; not as tight as genre leaders.
• Repetitive Levels: Stages blend together with similar enemies and backdrops.
• Bugs and Polish Issues: Freezes, unresponsive inputs, and minor performance hitches.
• Shallow Perks and Humor: Weapon mods are gimmicky, and some jokes land flat or dated.

Overall verdict? I’d give it a 6.5/10. It’s not the roguelite revolution some hoped for, but its creativity shines through the mediocrity. If you crave polished gameplay, stick to Hades or Dead Cells. But for fans of indie oddities with heart, Hotel Barcelona is a flawed gem worth checking into.

Is Hotel Barcelona Worth Playing?

Absolutely, if you’re okay with rough edges for the sake of originality. At around $20-30 (check current prices), it’s a steal for SWERY/Suda51 enthusiasts. Skip if you hate grindy starts or need butter-smooth controls. For everyone else, give it an hour – the fever-dream premise might just pull you in.

What do you think? Have you played Hotel Barcelona yet? Drop your thoughts in the comments – I’d love to hear if the phantoms saved your runs too. If you’re hunting more reviews, check out similar titles like The Missing or Lollipop Chainsaw. Until next time, happy gaming!
guys try this also its rocking- Ghost of Yotei Review: Sucker Punch’s Samurai Sequel Slashes Deeper Than Ever

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Source- gamerant /thegamer/gamesradar