In a world where authenticity often takes a backseat to spectacle, the gaming landscape is no exception. The latest collaboration between renowned creators Swery and Suda51, titled Hotel Barcelona, serves as a case study in the pitfalls of trying too hard to impress. While both developers have previously delivered unique and engaging experiences, this new venture appears to miss the mark.
Gameplay Experience
Players step into the shoes of Justine, a U.S. marshal grappling with the unsettling reality of sharing her body with a serial killer. The narrative kicks off with a tragic car crash that leaves Justine to navigate a roguelite 2.5D world filled with monsters and mayhem. On paper, this premise is intriguing, yet the execution leaves much to be desired.
As I delved into the game, I found myself overwhelmed rather than captivated. The mechanics feel disjointed, with a control scheme that struggles to deliver the fluidity one might expect from a fast-paced action title. Justine’s transformations—from a timid figure to a fierce warrior—are visually striking but lack the depth needed to engage players meaningfully.
- Character interactions are laden with exaggerated quirks, aiming for a sense of wackiness that ultimately feels forced.
- A closet-dwelling monster offers upgrades, while blood and chaos abound, creating a sensory overload that detracts from the core gameplay.
- The action, intended to be nimble and dodge-heavy, often feels sluggish, with attacks that either lack impact or come across as cumbersome.
Visual feedback is another area where Hotel Barcelona falters. Players are left questioning their performance—whether they successfully dodged an attack or if their enemies are on the brink of defeat. The vibrant chaos of color and gore obscures crucial gameplay cues, leading to a frustrating experience.
Despite my enthusiasm for both Swery and Suda51, this collaboration feels like a departure from the genuine strangeness that characterized their earlier works. Where their previous games embraced eccentricity with authenticity, Hotel Barcelona seems to lean too heavily into its own absurdity, resulting in a product that, while visually stimulating, lacks the engaging gameplay that fans have come to expect.
