There Are No Ghosts at The Grand: Renovation Meets the Supernatural in 2026’s Oddball Indie

The Indie That Stole the Xbox Showcase Spotlight

Out of the swarm of flashy AAA reveals at this summer’s Xbox Games Showcase, There Are No Ghosts at The Grand quietly grabbed my attention for all the right reasons. While the big hitters flexed their budgets, this Bristol-based indie from Friday Sundae looked intent on doing something weirder, fresher, and-frankly-riskier than yet another bombastic shooter. After an extended hands-on at Gamescom, I’ve got a lot to say about why this mashup of hotel fixer-upper, supernatural comedy, and full-on musical might just be the sleeper to watch on Xbox in 2026.

• Blends cozy renovation sim with supernatural hijinks and musical numbers
• Hands-on gameplay reveals tool upgrades, puzzle variety, and a quirky AI sidekick
• Mix of day-night cycle, ghostbusting and narrative depth
• Set to hit Xbox Series, PC, and Game Pass in 2026-so yes, it’ll be easy to try

What Sets ‘Ghosts at The Grand’ Apart—For Real

As a gamer who’s burnt out on paint-by-numbers horror and yet another “cozy” farm sim, the fact that “Ghosts at The Grand” is gleefully neither is downright refreshing. At first glance, you play as Chris David, a regular guy inheriting a decrepit English seaside hotel—then, as the sun sets, all hell breaks loose: ghoulish presences, environmental puzzles, and a talking paintbrush named MacBrushy (think Microsoft’s Clippy, but for ghostbusting and interior design).

Daytime is about mopping up centuries of grime, hammering old boards, blasting paint, and reimagining the hotel’s decayed grandeur. The demo gave me free rein to sand, paint, or even launch furniture with a full-on “furniture cannon”—it’s got the tactile satisfaction of a power-washer mixed with a bit of LucasArts adventure-game slapstick. Each tool upgrades over time and offers multiple modes, so there’s actual progression, not just busywork.

When night falls, those same tools morph into ghost-fighting gadgets: vacuuming up vengeful wraiths, unmasking invisible enemies with a paint spray, and walloping poltergeists with flying bookshelves. It’s a clever twist that gives mundane chores a supernatural payoff, and even if the demo held back on the spookier bits, the concept feels genuinely different from the endless stream of “simulator” games.

Musical Duels, Sassy Cats, and Mystery-Fueled Storytelling

The real curveball? Musical sequences. Dialogue choices can launch full-blown songs, complete with jazzy reggae numbers and comically dramatic choruses. It’s not just a gimmick; these musical interludes help drive character development and set the mood—especially when the quirky ensemble includes a mayor on a scooter and a massive gray cat named Mr. Bones (whose sarcasm channels the Cheshire Cat with real flair).

The story, too, seems to have some actual meat. You’re not just blasting away ghosts for the novelty; you’re digging into the hotel’s dark past, piecing together memories, and (hopefully) getting answers to what haunts this coastal wreck. One section even tasks you with reconstructing rooms to unlock lost memories—a clever touch that made me flash back to the environmental puzzles of Return of the Obra Dinn or Outer Wilds, even if it’s less hardcore mystery and more accessible narrative adventure.

Is This Just Hype, or the Real Indie Deal?

I’ll admit, it’s easy to fall for indie buzz after a clever trailer—but my Gamescom hands-on left me cautiously optimistic. The tool-switching is slick and intuitive (once you get used to it), and the demo hinted at some real progression with upgrades and puzzle depth. True, some puzzles played a bit clunky, and until I see the nighttime ghostbusting in full swing, there’s always the risk that the supernatural hook is more style than substance.

For now, though? The sheer mix of flavors—restoration, action, cheeky humor, and seriously kicky music—puts There Are No Ghosts at The Grand high on my radar for 2026. If Friday Sundae can nail the story payoffs and keep up the soundtrack quality, this could be the next indie darling à la Oxenfree or Spiritfarer, not another quirky also-ran.

TL;DR

If you want your supernatural games less “grimdark” and more delightfully odd, Ghosts at The Grand is worth watching. It’s got quirky personalities, musical showdowns, and enough renovation gameplay to make HGTV jealous. Whether the story and ghostbusting can live up to the promise? We’ll see—either way, it’s exactly the kind of risk I wish more indies took.