Let’s get something straight right away. There are few names in the gaming world that get me as hyped as SWERY and SUDA51. These are the minds behind some of the most bizarre, brilliant, and unforgettable titles in modern gaming history, from the Lynchian horror of Deadly Premonition to the stylish absurdity of No More Heroes. So when I first heard they were collaborating on a new project, a 2.5D side-scrolling horror roguelite called Hotel Barcelona, my interest was immediately at a fever pitch. After getting a chance to dive into an early build, I can tell you that this game is exactly what you would expect from these two legends, and so much more. It’s a surreal, blood-soaked fever dream that somehow turns failure into your greatest weapon. It is, to put it mildly, a total trip, and one I cannot wait to check back into when it releases.
Welcome to Your Nightmare Vacation
The premise of Hotel Barcelona is just as wonderfully deranged as its creators. You play as Justine, a rookie U.S. Marshal who, after a freak car accident, finds herself trapped in a hotel that is a literal den of iniquity. This isn’t just any hotel, though. It’s a cursed, psychedelic establishment where America’s most notorious serial killers have gathered for a twisted convention. But Justine isn’t alone in this nightmare. Inside her, festering like a parasite, is Dr. Carnival, a primeval evil entity that’s part of her, and part of the hotel itself. This duo has one goal, to escape, and to do that, they have to take on every psychopath that stands in their way.
The aesthetic is pure 1980s grindhouse horror, complete with a throbbing synth soundtrack and visuals that feel like they’ve been ripped from a forgotten VHS tape. The art style is striking, with trippy, anime-inspired designs that give the game a uniquely unhinged quality. I especially loved the boss intro sequences which are animated with a level of polish you would expect from a high-budget anime, making each encounter feel like a truly special, cinematic event. The game’s world is a parody of classic horror films, with each of the seven floors of the hotel drawing from a different horror subgenre, from summer camp slashers to alien invasions. It’s clear that this is a love letter to the genre, but one written in blood.
The Phantom of the Opera is You
The gameplay loop of Hotel Barcelona is where things get truly interesting, especially for a roguelite. On the surface, it’s a 2.5D side-scrolling hack and slash. You’ll run, jump, and slice your way through hordes of grotesque enemies with a mix of melee and ranged attacks. You start with a basic melee weapon and a gun, and while the combat feels a bit slow and deliberate at first, it quickly ramps up in intensity. The key to staying alive and getting stronger is your bloodlust. By constantly carving up enemies, you fill a blood gauge that, once full, lets you unleash a devastating special attack called the “Carnival Awakening.” This screen-clearing super move is not just for style points, it’s crucial for managing the overwhelming number of enemies that will assault you.
But what sets Hotel Barcelona apart from other games in the genre is its “Slasher Phantom” system. As any good roguelite player knows, death is just the beginning. In this game, though, death is a key part of your progression. Every time you die, a “Slasher Phantom” of your previous run is created. This phantom is an AI-controlled ghost that will fight alongside you on your next attempt, mimicking the exact movements and attacks you performed in your last run. This system is brilliantly chaotic and strategic. Your phantom can draw enemy fire, kill off foes you missed, and even use special attacks in the same spots you did. You can have up to four phantoms following you at once, turning a solo slasher into a one-person demolition crew. It creates a fascinating dynamic where you’re not just trying to survive your current run, you’re actively setting up your next one.
Strategic Slicing and Dicing
The depth of the game’s mechanics goes beyond just the phantoms. As you progress, you’ll encounter branching paths, with each door offering different upgrades and challenges. You’ll need to carefully consider your choices to maximize your chances of survival.
| Door Choice | Potential Reward | Strategic Implication |
| Weapon Door | New Melee Weapon, Gun, or Upgrade | High-risk, high-reward. A powerful new weapon can be a game-changer but you might lose a valuable stat buff from another door. |
| Blood Door | Health or Blood Gauge Fill | A safe bet to recover and prepare for a tough fight, but you miss out on potential power-ups. |
| Upgrade Door | Stat Buffs, Special Abilities | Essential for long-term survival, but you may have to fight a mini-boss or endure a more difficult encounter. |
The randomized elements extend to each run itself. Environmental conditions, like rain, can change the game, draining your blood gauge faster and forcing you to be even more aggressive. This constant shifting of variables keeps every run feeling fresh and unpredictable, which is exactly what you want in a roguelite. Between runs, you can also use grotesque trophies you collect, like bones and ears, to unlock permanent upgrades on a massive skill tree, giving you that satisfying sense of progression that keeps you coming back for more.
A Glimpse into the Gore
Based on my time with the preview build, I have a few key takeaways:
- The combat feels great, but it requires strategy. It’s not a mindless button masher. You need to be deliberate with your attacks and constantly stay on the offensive to fill your blood gauge and keep Dr. Carnival happy.
- The Slasher Phantom system is truly a game-changer. It’s an innovative twist on the roguelite genre that makes death feel like a victory, not a setback. I found myself purposefully dying in certain spots just to create a phantom that would help me with a tricky boss fight on the next run.
- The art and sound design are top-notch. The 80s horror aesthetic is perfectly executed, from the gritty visuals to the pulsing synth music. It’s a game that is a joy to look at, even when you’re being ripped to shreds by a chainsaw-wielding maniac.
- There is a ton of content. The sprawling upgrade tree and the promise of new zones and bosses means there is a lot of replayability here. I barely scratched the surface in my few hours with it.
Final Thoughts
Hotel Barcelona is a game that is destined to be a cult classic. It’s a perfect blend of the creative minds of SWERY and SUDA51, offering a genuinely unique, over-the-top, and mechanically deep experience. The Slasher Phantom system is the standout feature, and it’s something I hope to see other developers try to emulate. If you’re a fan of roguelites, side-scrolling action, or just the wonderfully weird works of its creators, then you need to have this on your radar.
Hotel Barcelona is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on September 26. I’m already counting down the days until I can check back in and see if I can finally survive the night. Get ready for a bloodbath, gamers. And for more deep dives into the latest gaming trends and exclusive previews, keep checking our Gaming Insights category. You should also look for my latest preview of Terminator 2D: NO FATE.
