The brutal, stylish Hotel Barcelona offers my favorite Steam Next Fest demo

Steam Next Fest usually feels like videogame Christmas. I get to try out a bunch of exciting new games for an hour or so each. Some bad, some good, and some future favorites. Be it due to time constraints, the overwhelming flood of Summer Game Fest announcements, or fewer obvious standouts, this time around just didn't feel the same. So, instead of my usual round-up of seven, eight, nine demos you should try, here's one: Hotel Barcelona.

This 2.5D side-scrolling roguelike game is a new collaboration between the legendary Suda51 and Hidetaka 'Swery' Suehiro, the creator of Deadly Premonition. Inspired by classic slasher movies, it's right in my wheelhouse, but it threads the needle in such a way that non-horror fans won't feel alienated, while genre vets will enjoy being smacked over the head by fun references.

You play as Justine, a young federal marshal investigating a mysterious case that leads them to Hotel Barcelona, a strange trap for serial killers. The twist is that you've somehow trapped another serial killer, Dr Carnival, within your mind. With the two of you intrinsically linked, you gain powers that enable you to defeat these murderers once and for all.

This plays out via a series of side-scrolling dungeons. Working your way through a maze of 2.5D environments, you must defeat smaller foes inspired by classic slasher tropes, such as chainsaw-wielding lumberjacks and masked maniacs. Survive each stage, and you eventually meet the round's boss - each an obvious homage to the most legendary movie killers. The first is Jacob, a giant, jacked fiend wearing a hockey mask, and his level takes place in the, ahem, Diamond Lake campsite. I'm not sure I can consider it a spoiler to tell you this young man's story involves a summer camp, its counselors, teen sex, and a lake. Though not available in the demo, the next killer is inspired by chainsaws and barbequed meat. I'll let you do the math.

The environments are stunning in a hand-drawn cartoon way, and the pine trees, tents, and log cabins in the background again remind you in no uncertain terms of its inspiration. However, Hotel Barcelona is no one-trick pony.

When you die during a level, which you'll do quite regularly, you're sent back to the start and introduced to a phantom of yourself. Just like in Forza, you'll travel alongside the phantom as it plays out your previous run. You can't control them directly, but they still come in handy when they distract and even fight enemies for you. The more you die, the more phantoms you gain. However, if you happen to make it further on subsequent attempts, each phantom can only go as far as you made it during their respective run.

I'm terrible at roguelikes. I love them, don't get me wrong, but I am not good at them. Of course, the nature of the roguelike is gaining better gear, upgrading your kit, and going in again and again, but I need the phantoms' support. I still only made it to Jacob in easy mode, so those who like a challenge should be put through their paces on any of the harder difficulties.

Speaking of gear, there's a lot to play with here. From unlocking new blades, ranged weapons, and other slasher-suitable gear to navigating a full skill tree and acquiring fresh abilities, there's a plethora of rewards for your early attempts. Naturally, given the style of the game, there are some cute cosmetics to uncover as well, including a cheerleader costume, the 'nightmare sweater,' and even a psycho raincoat.

All of this, and I haven't even mentioned the hotel itself, which you can explore while speaking with employees and other residents, interacting with a cast of colorful, engagingly voiced characters.

I was a little unfair at the top, as there were two other standout Steam Next Fest demos for me this week: MIO: Memories in Orbit, a precious platform game that Ori fans will love, and Mars Attracts. The latter, believe it or not, is a brilliantly entertaining theme park tycoon game based on Tim Burton's Mars Attacks, and is as delightfully bonkers as you'd imagine. But if you're looking for that one future hit to wishlist, let it be Hotel Barcelona. Roguelike fan, slasher fan, or somewhere in between - you'll no doubt get a kick out of it.