Fresh off its showcase during the ID@Xbox Indie Showcase presented by IGN, Bristol-based studio Friday Sundae has dropped a brand-new gameplay trailer for their highly anticipated “spooky-cosy” title, There Are No Ghosts at the Grand.
This latest look at the game dives deeper into the unique duality of its gameplay, blending the satisfaction of a renovation sim with the tension of a Lovecraftian mystery—all wrapped in a musical flair that sets it apart from anything else in the genre.
A Musical Renovation… with a Twist
In There Are No Ghosts at the Grand, you step into the shoes of Chris David, an American who unexpectedly inherits a crumbling English seaside hotel. The gameplay is split across a strict 30-day and 30-night cycle, forcing you to manage your time between two very different worlds:
- By Day: You’ll use an arsenal of satisfying tools—including a sandblaster, paint sprayer, and the delightfully chaotic furniture cannon—to restore the Grand Hotel and the surrounding village of Kingswood-on-Sea to their former glory.
- By Night: The tone shifts. As the sun sets, your renovation tools take on a “second life” as talking, sentient companions that double as ghost-hunting gear. You’ll investigate eerie locations like the village church to uncover the truth behind the town’s increasingly strange history.
Explore Beyond the Hotel
The new trailer highlights a significant feature: the small open world. Unlike many “haunted house” games that keep you trapped within four walls, Chris can roam the streets of Kingswood-on-Sea. Restoring shops and local landmarks doesn’t just make the town look better—it unlocks ghost stories, hidden memories, and secrets that are essential to solving the overarching mystery.
“A haunted house story where you can leave the haunted house.” — Anil Glendinning, Creative Director
The “Unreal” Look of Unity
Visually, the game continues to impress. Developed in Unity, the team at Friday Sundae has utilised volumetric fog and PBR (Physically Based Rendering) to create a realistic, atmospheric British seaside aesthetic that rivals AAA titles. This realism is balanced by hand-sculpted, stylised characters who, in true musical fashion, aren’t afraid to burst into song.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Protagonist | Chris David, an American in a strange English town. |
| Core Loop | Renovate by day; investigate supernatural mysteries by night. |
| Companion | A sardonic cat and talking power tools. |
| Time Limit | 30 days and 30 nights to save the Grand. |
| Setting | Kingswood-on-Sea (inspired by Weston-super-Mare). |
Release Info
There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is slated for release in 2026. It will be available on Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, and via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
With its blend of PowerWash Simulator vibes and Lovecraftian dread, this is definitely one to keep on your radar. You can wishlist the game now on Steam to keep up with development updates.
What do you think of the “renovation by day, ghosts by night” mechanic? Let us know in the comments!
Find out more here – https://s.team/a/3992630
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