I’m a big fan of both Suda51, the legend behind games like Killer7, No More Heroes, Shadows of the Damned, and Killer Is Dead, and SWERY, the mind behind titles such as Deadly Premonition, D4: Dark Dreams Don’t Die, and The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories. So when I heard these two were teaming up on a game, I couldn’t wait. It was bound to be brilliant, and weird as hell. Hotel Barcelona is exactly that.
A Marshal Possessed
Hotel Barcelona is a roguelite, horror-themed hack-and-slash presented in 2D with surreal mixed-media elements. Buckle up.
You play as Justine, a rookie federal marshal possessed by a demon named Dr. Carnival, a deranged murderer, though that’s the least of your problems. The pair are sent to a mysterious hotel on the border between Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
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This isn’t your average Premier Inn. The hotel is caught in a time loop and serves as a prison for America’s most dangerous serial killers. It’s up to Justine, with Dr. Carnival in tow, to take out each killer and uncover what’s really going on, and how to escape.
The story is completely off the wall. Indeed, trying to follow Hotel Barcelona will drive you mad. It’s very much a case of “things will make sense by the credits, just go with it and don’t ask questions.”
Lofty Skill Requirements
Gameplay-wise, Hotel Barcelona a 2D platforming hack-and-slash. You choose one of five areas around the hotel, fight your way to the end, and earn a bonus. Fail, and you’re sent back to the start, losing everything you’ve collected.
Be warned, this game is tough and you will fail more often than you’d like. However, Hotel Barcelona will leave those who click with it begging for more.
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You run, jump, shoot, and slash through enemies, unlocking stronger gear and new combos as you go. There’s also a skill tree, but it’s wildly random. There’s no logic to its layout, and navigating it is a nightmare.
Bosses are inspired by horror movie villains, which is a nice touch. But they’re often unfairly difficult, which can feel cheap.
Charming Work
The game feels rough in places, but that’s expected from a SWERY title, he does jank well. Fans will accept it, but newcomers might be put off.
That jank extends to performance too, with frame rate drops, levels starting without loading, and slowdown during intense moments.
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Visually, Hotel Barcelona is striking. The game blends media styles throughout its twisted journey, with gorgeous 2D art set against low-polygon backdrops and splashes of gore.
Hotel Barcelona is rough, unfair, and buggy, but I love it. The game’s weirdness is just pure Suda51 and SWERY. It’s certainly an acquired taste, almost art-house in its own strange way. But if you’re a fan of their previous work, you’ll enjoy this. Bold, bizarre, and completely unhinged.
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