“The curse of Mixed is broken” - Swery turns opinion around on oddball roguelike Hotel Barcelona by removing gen-AI voices and substantially reworking the game
Hidetaka “Swery” Suehiro’s Hotel Barcelona has successfully turned around its critical reception on Steam, ascending from a “Mixed” rating to “Mostly Positive” following substantial post-launch improvements. Recent reviews are showing as “Very Positive,” marking a significant achievement for the oddball roguelike.
The transformation was driven by two key changes: the removal of gen-AI voices and comprehensive reworking of the game. In March, developer White Owl released a major update titled “Under New Management,” which became the turning point for player sentiment and engagement.
The turnaround demonstrates how responsive post-launch development can rehabilitate a game’s reputation. Despite an initially lukewarm reception, the combination of the March update and ongoing refinements has fundamentally altered how players perceive Hotel Barcelona. The development team’s willingness to address specific player concerns—particularly regarding AI-generated voices—has resonated with the community and earned genuine support.
Swery and White Owl’s commitment to continuous improvement after launch has proven effective in converting skeptical players into engaged supporters. This journey from mixed reviews to very positive recent feedback illustrates the potential for indie titles to recover and thrive through dedicated post-release content updates and meaningful design changes that prioritize player experience.