The chemical reaction of two mad geniuses colliding has finally exploded onto consoles and PC today, as a surreal, blood-soaked roguelite from legendary Japanese game directors SWERY and SUDA51 has just checked into HOTEL BARCELONA.
HOTEL BARCELONA, the highly anticipated new title from developer White Owls Inc. and publisher CULT Games, has launched today, 26th September 2025. This stunning, trippy, and incredibly fun game is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC for £24.99. There’s Play Anywhere support too.
This is a game we’ve already had the pleasure of experiencing, and we’ve come away incredibly impressed. Prepare for a vacation from hell, where you’ll fight serial killers, uncover a trippy narrative, and try not to lose your grip on reality.
A Chemical Reaction of Two Mad Geniuses
The premise of HOTEL BARCELONA is as unique and outrageous as its creators. Conceived by Goichi Suda (SUDA51), the visionary behind No More Heroes and Lollipop Chainsaw, and directed by Hidetaka “SWERY” Suehiro, the mastermind behind Deadly Premonition, this game is truly a one-of-a-kind collaboration.
As SWERY himself said:
“When I first announced HOTEL BARCELONA in 2019, it may have sounded like a joke. But jokes can take on a life of their own… I feel this is not a game I wanted to make, but one I had to make. It is the chemical reaction of two mad geniuses colliding. I hope you enjoy the result.“
Death Has a Room Key
In this blood-soaked 2.5D sidescroller straight from your nightmares, you play as Justine, a rookie U.S. Marshal whose car crashes at the edge of nowhere, trapping her in the twisted world of HOTEL BARCELONA. An ancient evil, known only as Dr. Carnival, imbues her with incredible power. The more you kill, the stronger you become, but let the blood stop flowing, and you’re next.
This is a re-invented roguelite where death is not the end. Every time you die, your past self returns to fight beside you like a ghost with a grudge, mimicking your actions from failed attempts. Even your friends can join the bloodbath in PvE multiplayer for up to 3 players, though you can also invade their games and undo their progress if you’re feeling particularly mischievous.
You’ll need to fight your way through insane horror-themed floors, facing killers inspired by the nastiest corners of your local video store. You can even unleash the brutal power of the serial killer in your mind, Dr. Carnival, to turn the tide of battle and become a legend.
Check out the NEW TRAILER, featuring IRL cameos from both SWERY and SUDA51…
Our Verdict: Pure, Ridiculous Fun
We’ve already checked into this vacation from hell. In our glowing 4.5/5 review of HOTEL BARCELONA, we concluded:
“HOTEL BARCELONA is enjoyable from start to finish, even if that finish comes about too swiftly. It’s also definitely over the top and not something to take too seriously. HOTEL BARCELONA is really just a fun game, no matter how you look at it.“
Your Room Key to Chaos
Here’s what you can expect from this surreal roguelite:
- A Collaboration of Legends: From the minds of SWERY (Deadly Premonition) and SUDA51 (No More Heroes).
- Blood-Soaked Roguelite Gameplay: Fight, die, and repeat, with every execution making you stronger.
- Past Selves as Allies: Ghosts mimicking your actions from failed attempts return to assist you.
- 2.5D Sidescroller with Horror-Themed Floors: Inspired by classic horror movie subgenres.
- PvE Multiplayer for up to 3 players: Or invade your friends’ games for some chaos.
- A Trippy Narrative: Uncover a story unlike any other in this twisted hotel.
The bellhop is waiting, and your room is ready. If you’re a fan of outrageous, unique, and genuinely fun horror experiences, HOTEL BARCELONA is ready for you on the Xbox Store right now, playable on Xbox Series X|S, PC and Play Anywhere. It’s also on PlayStation.
Please, enjoy your stay. Just try to ignore the screaming.
HOTEL BARCELONA Description
Justine, a rookie U.S. Marshal, thought this was just another routine case. But when her car crashes in a freak accident at the edge of nowhere, she finds herself trapped in a twisted new world: HOTEL BARCELONA.
