Hotel Renovator – Five Star Edition, developed by Two Horizons and published by Focus Entertainment, lets players to step into the shoes of a hotelier tasked with reviving a dilapidated family inheritance. With both renovation gameplay and management challenges, this title aims to carve out a niche in the crowded world of job simulation games. It came out on PC earlier, but has now launched on consoles as well – we checked it out on a PlayStation 5.
Upon inheriting a rundown hotel, you are thrust into the thick of things, facing the daunting task of restoring the property to its former glory – and it’s certainly a place that has seen better days. The initial phase of that plan involves clearing out debris, tearing down walls, and sprucing up the interiors – a familiar routine in the realm of simulation/home improvement games. While the story ultimately takes a backseat to the renovation process, it serves as a backdrop for the player’s journey, offering glimpses into the hotel’s mysterious past – and it’s a nice driving force for those not intrinsically interested in this type of game as well.
Where Hotel Renovator truly shines is in its extensive customization options, boasting a vast array of furniture, decorations, and thematic sets to let you adorn the hotel’s rooms with. From sleek modern designs to quirky retro aesthetics, the game offers ample opportunities for creative expression and the chance to make something very different on your next playthrough. However, the repetitive nature of the renovation process as a whole can occasionally dull the experience, particularly as players find themselves engaging in the same tasks across multiple rooms – which can get quite mundane.
Navigating the controls on the Dualsense proves to be a relatively smooth experience, with intuitive mechanics for construction and decoration. Additionally, the absence of a nice soundtrack as background music creates an eerie atmosphere within the hotel, detracting from the overall ambiance – it made us want to create a haunted hotel vibe and that was probably not intended that way.
Despite its shortcomings, Hotel Renovator excels in providing a sandbox experience tailored to players’ preferences and creativity, with both story and sandbox modes offering distinct gameplay experiences. While the structured nature of the story mode offers a sense of progression and purpose, the sandbox mode allows players to unleash their creativity without constraints – and having all the extra DLC options in this Five Star Edition is certainly a plus in that sense.
In terms of performance, Hotel Renovator delivers a stable experience with no noticeable issues, ensuring smooth gameplay throughout. However, certain design choices, such as the occasional mismatch between preview thumbnails and the actual textures you see when you place something inside a room, can impede the player’s progress and lead to mild frustration.
Overall, Hotel Renovator – Five Star Edition presents a mixed bag of delights and frustrations, offering a compelling yet flawed simulation experience. With its expansive customization options and engaging gameplay mechanics, it manages to capture the essence of hotel renovation while falling short of reaching its full potential. Whether you’re a seasoned simulation enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, Hotel Renovator offers a unique opportunity to unleash your inner designer and breathe new life into a forgotten establishment.
Score: 6.7/10
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