Hotel Barcelona overhauls draw ‘Very Positive’ reviews as Swery removes AI voices and rebalances gameplay

Hidetaka “Swery” Suehiro’s roguelike Hotel Barcelona has climbed from a ‘Mixed’ to ‘Very Positive’ Steam rating in 2026, following its ‘Under New Management’ update, removal of AI-generated voices, and substantial reworking of core systems.

Hotel Barcelona, developed by White Owls and directed by acclaimed designer Hidetaka ‘Swery’ Suehiro, has reversed its initial lukewarm reception by executing multiple sweeping updates in 2026. The game, which received a ‘Mixed’ rating on Steam after its original 2025 launch, now boasts ‘Mostly Positive’ reviews, with recent player feedback showing as ‘Very Positive’. According to Swery, these improvements are largely attributed to the comprehensive ‘Under New Management’ update rolled out in March 2026, the elimination of AI voices from the game’s key VHS segments, and a relentless post-launch polish cycle.

Major Changes Reshape Hotel Barcelona’s Reputation

‘Under New Management’ marked a new phase for Hotel Barcelona, introducing decisive changes based on community feedback and critical reviews. The update provided:

• Reworked Combat: Improved flow, enemy balancing, and more responsive player controls.
• Multiplayer Overhaul: Fixes to the invasion-based multiplayer mode increased reliability and engagement for co-op and PvP play.
• Enhanced Quality of Life: Added new user interface tweaks, localisation improvements, and extensive bug fixes.
• Cosmetic Content: Free unlockable skins and new skills expanded customisation options.
• AI Voice Removal: The game’s VHS presentation segments saw all AI-generated voices replaced, directly addressing player criticism and helping improve overall reception.

Swery personally acknowledged this resurgence, stating:
“Since Under New Management in March, every player, review, and bit of support helped us get here. The curse of MIXED is broken,” and thanked both players and reviewers for their ongoing support. Review scores demonstrate this impact: at the latest tally, the title’s recent Steam reviews are categorised as ‘Very Positive’.

Active Development and Platform Expansion Continue

Development on Hotel Barcelona is not finished. White Owls continues to iterate with new updates, further adjusting gameplay balance and adding content post-March 2026. Recent patches have focused on:

• Additional gameplay rebalance, especially regarding stage progression and enemy difficulty curves.
• Further cosmetic unlocks, including free new skins for playable characters.
• Continuous improvements to localisation and the game’s UI/UX, addressing international players’ feedback.

Availability:

• PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S: Hotel Barcelona is on sale and regularly updated on these platforms.
• Nintendo Switch 1 & 2 Ports: In active development, with release dates pending.

Swery’s rapid, player-focused changes highlight a renewed commitment to creative integrity, especially after criticism regarding generative AI use. With the elimination of AI-generated voices, substantial gameplay rebalancing, and ongoing polishing, Hotel Barcelona is positioned as a revitalised, player-first roguelike in 2026.

Hotel Barcelona Update Timeline and Key Features

• March 2026: ‘Under New Management’ update launches, introducing major combat, control, and multiplayer improvements.
• Spring/Summer 2026: Removal of AI-generated voices from VHS sequences, contributing to better review scores.
• Recent: Continuous free content updates, new skins, skills, and bug fixes lead to a ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam.

Citeable statements from Swery and White Owls document the transformation: “The curse of MIXED is broken.” With ongoing patches and new console ports underway, Hotel Barcelona’s trajectory demonstrates how swift, transparent iteration can drive a game’s critical turnaround in the modern roguelike genre.