A blast from the past is coming your way – literally! In the sleepy seaside town of Britain's nostalgia-tinged coast, a run-down hotel stands like a ghostly sentinel, waiting for its moment to shine. And that moment arrives with 'There Are No Ghosts at the Grand', a game that promises to transport you to a world where the past and present collide in a swirling vortex of music, mayhem, and – yes – genuine British ghost stories! Bristol-based Friday Sundae are behind this offbeat masterpiece, which will materialise on PC and Xbox Series X/S in late 2026.
Imagine arriving in a quaint seaside town to find your inherited father's hotel crumbling into disrepair. As the new owner, you'll roll up your sleeves (and dust off those power tools) to strip away the grime, rearrange the furniture, and apply fresh coats of paint – all while interacting with an array of eccentric locals who will challenge your perceptions and leave you questioning what's real and what's just a product of your fevered imagination. With talking power tools by your side (because, why not?) and a cast of characters that embodies the best and worst of British life, this is a game that promises to be as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.
According to Anil Glendinning, creative director and co-founder of Friday Sundae, the game's concept was born from countless hours spent exploring National Trust properties – those crumbling castles and faded mansions that seem frozen in time. As you wander through their musty halls, you can't help but wonder what secrets lie hidden behind the peeling wallpaper. And it's exactly this sense of curiosity that drives the gameplay loop: restoring rooms to their former glory while navigating a world where the supernatural lurks just beneath the surface.
But here's the twist – and one that sets 'There Are No Ghosts at the Grand' apart from your average horror game. Musical numbers will punctuate the action, adding a touch of British eccentricity that's equal parts hilarious and unsettling. Think Hammer House of Horror meets The Young Ones, with a dash of Monty Python for good measure! And while these musical moments may be integral to the game's atmosphere, you can always skip them if they're not your cup of tea (or flat white). The developers have also thoughtfully included customisation options – like an autocomplete slider for painting tasks – to ensure that everyone from hardcore gamers to more casual players will find a pace that suits their style.
Friday Sundae's mission is clear: to create a game that captures the essence of Britain in all its messy, magnificent glory. By embracing the quirks and contradictions of British culture, they're offering players a world where the familiar becomes strange and the supernatural becomes – well, almost believable! This genre-bending masterpiece is set to arrive on PC and Xbox Series X/S in late 2026, so mark your calendars for what promises to be one of the most unforgettable gaming experiences of the year.