It seems like video games are slowly but surely starting to embrace the weird and unusual again. As audiences grow tired of traditional open-world AAA titles, there’s a growing appetite for the bizarre. Games like 2024’s Indika, Thank Goodness You’re Here, and the upcoming Promise Mascot Agency are prime examples. Now, Hotel Barcelona, the brainchild of Deadly Premonition creator Hidetaka “Swery” Suehiro and Killer7 creator Goichi “Suda51” Suda, promises to be another addition to the “what did I just play?” canon. This game drops you into the eponymous hotel for a chaotic, slasher-style adventure that turns into an acid trip.
Game Development and Evolution
Originally pitched as an easy-to-learn side-scrolling roguelike for Switch and mobile, Hotel Barcelona has evolved into something considerably more sinister (and weird). Players take on the role of Justine, a rookie US Marshal who accidentally becomes possessed by the soul of former serial killer Dr. Carnival. Justine finds herself trapped inside the eponymous hotel, home to seven of America’s most vicious killers. The goal is simple: kill them all and get out alive.
Gameplay Mechanics and Challenges
But that’s much easier said than done. Seven different killers (funny enough, there are always seven) require seven different solutions, with each of their hellish worlds presenting new, unique challenges. Taking inspiration from various classic horror films, we see everything from what looks like a forest biome to an industrial complex, with bosses ranging from a giant, twisted baby doll to a hulking prisoner with a skull for a head.
Combat and Progression
Justine can wield anything from a wooden axe to dual-bladed glaives with chainsaws. As you progress through hordes of enemies, you’ll gradually gain power in the Carnival Awakening ability. Think of it as a form of all-out ultimate attack – the beast within is unleashed, and enemies become nothing more than targets for destruction.
The Echo System
Death is inevitable, but that applies to both you and your enemies. When you die, you leave behind up to four “echoes” of your previous incarnations that will repeat your last run. These echoes help clear the path a bit and can also serve as the perfect distraction.
Multiplayer Options
If you’re looking for real allies, Hotel Barcelona offers three-player co-op, as well as its own PvP mode – after all, chaos is much more enjoyable when it’s shared.
Release Information
White Owls has confirmed that Hotel Barcelona will be released in 2025. There’s no exact release date yet, but Halloween seems like the perfect time to launch a game like this. You can add it to your wishlist now.
