Hotel Barcelona Reviews

Slick gameplay, stylish visuals and an interesting narrative with a timeless underlying theme of cooperation, respect, and understanding of each other’s points of view.

In the realm of gaming auteurs, Swery and Suda51 are synonymous with incredible and outlandish presentation. The likes of Deadly Premonition, Killer 7, No More Heroes, and many more all share a style DNA whilst managing to retain their own identity. If you’re a fan of these creators then you’ll be well used to zany dialogue, weird moments, and a requisite amount of jank. Hotel Barcelona feels like the perfect distillation of this collaboration as it oozes style, but requires some perseverance to overcome the initial limitations.

I repeatedly asked myself one question while playing Hotel Barcelona: Why?

For any fans of SUDA51 or SWERY, Hotel Barcelona is their gruesome love child soaked in a roguelike coating. Join a US Marshall possessed by an infamous serial killer, on a hunt for other serial killers located near the mysterious Hotel Barcelona. Will it entertain long running fans or any roguelike enthusiasts? Let's find out.

For the vast majority of both Suda and Swery’s works, you don’t really show up for a high-quality gaming experience. You show up for the weird vibes, and indeed, Hotel Barcelona is rich in delightfully weird vibes that are appealing enough to get me through. However, there's a certain point where a game cannot carry itself on vibes alone. No More Heroes 3 had some visual jank, but was still a solid game. The Good Life ran terribly on my computer, but still had an engaging core loop. With Hotel Barcelona, I feel as though both Suda and Swery's typical shortcomings are multiplying against each other, resulting in a game that has good bones and a fun, wacky premise, but falls well short on actual execution. If a game with this kind of slow, sticky gameplay and graphical shortcomings came from any other directors, it probably wouldn't be on my radar.

I really wanted to love Hotel Barcelona. It has such an interesting presentation and game world. But its gameplay is just plain awful. It has a generic roguelite structure, and controlling Justine feels abysmal. The UI is also an overcluttered eyesore. I hope fans of SWERY and SUDA51 find something to love in Hotel Barcelona. But as it is, I just can’t recommend a game that plays this horribly.

SWERY joins forces with SUDA51 to create a roguelite that pays homage to the horror genre. Are you ready to visit the hotel?

Hotel Barcelona adds in just enough quirky things to stay on brand with the reputation that its legendary creators have forged for themselves. Just like most of their other works, Hotel Barcelona is far from perfect, showcasing its own intentional nuances that can either make or break a game for some people.

Hotel Barcelona is plenty weird enough for an overnight jaunt, but it's too janky and stiff to recommend an extended stay.

Hotel Barcellona has a plethora of interesting concepts, but the majority of them are executed so poorly it almost ruins even the merits of the ideas. Simply, the game just isn’t enjoyable outside of some dialogue.

Hotel Barcelona is the latest from cult favourites SUDA51 (No More Heroes) and SWERY (Deadly Premonition), and is as weird as those who recognise those developers’ names will expect it to be. A 2.5D sidescrolling roguelite, White Owls’ latest title will surely appeal to those who lap up surreal experience, though those who want a proper roguelite experience may find this one lacking.

Two of the most famous weirdos in the gaming industry decided to join forces and develop a game based on their shared likes and oddities. A game made by Swery65 (of Deadly Premonition fame) alongside Suda51 (of No More Heroes and Killer7 game). What could/should have been a moment worth celebrating ended up being a bit of disappointment after finally getting my hands on it. Let’s talk about Hotel Barcelona.

Hotel Barcelona is a bloody fun Roguelike, with a whole heap of creative ideas and just as many unhinged characters to meet.