Hotel Barcelona

Test Notes:
※ A.I.-generated content exists in the disc build as seen in all of the rental VHS tapes found at the front desk. Some online articles suggest they appear as part of the 'New Game+' run, but these videos are actually tied to one of the optional hidden bosses that can also be fought in the first play-through. Once the final story location is unlocked, instead of continuing the main story, the player can complete another run through the first campground area and a scripted event will play out that involves the possessed television set upon returning to the hotel bedroom. This opens the ability to purchase the tapes. The developers pledged in early October 2025 to remove the A.I. material through a post-launch patch. In the opinion of this tester, it wouldn't be shocking if other undisclosed A.I. content exists within the experience.

-- Upon booting the game, or returning to the main menu from any of the respective selections, an in-game notification will appear due to the lack of an internet connection. It can be declined without issue.

-- In-game text can have rare misspellings (ex. found in one minor dialogue conversation with the bartender Charles Grady, etc.), portions that don't match the spoken audio (ex. after defeating the first three primary bosses, there's an exchange where Justine audibly calls Dr. Carnival a "jerk," but on-screen depicts it as a profane word, etc.), or missing subtitles for select spoken audio (ex. AI-generated rental video cut-scenes). The interaction prompt for the bartender can also overlap the spoken text bubble for one of the nearby patrons. Simply moving away from the vicinity of the interaction addresses the oversight.

-- Multiple instances of the game seemingly "pausing" while subsequent material needed to be loaded. It often happens in post-boss fight conversations, particularly when Justine recounts the villainous backstory of the defeated character. Another notable moment included the first appearance of the hotel manager, Andrea Pearson, in the main lobby. If the player encounters a segment where the game feels like it has frozen, allowing a few seconds will often result in the rest of the dialogue continuing without trouble.

-- Numerous graphical or technical shortcomings can surface throughout the experience. Frame-drops can appear during moments of hectic combat. Upon loading into any area at the start, the game will momentarily hitch in the frame-rate with instances of Justine's hair partly stretching out or lagging briefly before the player can gain control of the session. Various effects can linger on-screen, such as gushing blood from defeated enemies, intact destructible environmental objects, etc. One instance of an unloaded platform texture appeared on a wooden surfaced during an area for the 'Pig Steakhouse' section. Enemies can also experience rare moments of spawning outside level barriers, phasing through hurdles (ex. brute enemy passed through a shelf in one of the 'Steakhouse' areas), or falling straight off the level (ex. elite spider-walk enemy jumping through a wall to the right in the same aforementioned 'Steakhouse' area), etc.

-- A single occurrence of the game locking up took place after defeating the optional boss found through completing the bonus stage. While exiting the post-fight upgrade menu, it just faded to black and never loaded into the hotel bedroom. Closing and restarting the game addressed the issue. Even though it went straight back into the upgrade menu again, exiting out didn't cause any further issues with progression saved as intended.

-- Video settings appear to have some odd frame-rate complications, possibly tied to the Unity Engine, based on their respective choices. Exploring other options might lead to unintended slow-down with the game-play so players have to deal with bizarre graphical trouble depending on their selections or display resolution limitations.

-- Several trophies unlocked in sections much later than intended. Examples include the achievement for beating the first boss, "Jacob Baggins," which appeared while walking through the hotel lobby after returning to the game over a month after an initial play session and "Bloody Friday at the Campground," meant for hearing one unique piece of dialogue from every NPC in the second level, registered while speaking to the closet upgrade monster in the hotel.

-- The platinum trophy can't be obtained in offline play as several accolades require the user to both assist and invade other online player sessions.

Content Completed:
-- Completely playable offline with no download required although some performances issues and online components might encourage players to opt for an update. Beaten on default settings along with all three optional boss fights. This tester used '3840 x 2150' resolution, 'High Quality' setting and V-sync enabled. All attempted trophies unlocked as necessary. 'New Game+' mode, most unlockable weapons and other supplemental content were untested for reference.

Additional Notes:
-- Install Size: 5.51 GB

Build Version: 2.000.000
Disc ID Code: PPSA-21349/US HB-PS5-DL
Spine ID Code: 2112857
Number of Players: 1 (Offline) / 1-4 (Online)
Audio Language Supported: English & Japanese
Menu/Subtitle Language Supported: English, Chinese (Simplified / Traditional), Spanish, Catalan & Japanese
Accessibility Options: Colorblind settings, blood visibility & adjustable U.I. size
Quality/Performance Option: Yes