There Are No Ghosts at the Grand is One of the Most Unique Games of 2026 (Preview)

June 14, 2026 - 20:19

One of the most eccentric-looking games of the year is shaping up to be "There Are No Ghosts at the Grand," a musical renovation ghost story from independent UK developer Friday Sundae. As the team's very first game, it already stands out for its unusual premise. I recently went hands-on with the title to get a taste of what is really going on inside its small English setting.

The game puts players in the role of a caretaker tasked with restoring a faded seaside hotel. But this is no simple fixer-upper. The renovation process is tied directly to music. You explore the creaking hallways and dusty rooms, collecting sounds and melodies that slowly rebuild the environment. Each chord you play seems to unlock a new memory or a hidden corner of the building.

What makes it unique is the tension between the cozy renovation work and the underlying dread. The title insists there are no ghosts, but the atmosphere suggests otherwise. Old phonographs play by themselves. Shadows move in the corner of your eye. The game walks a fine line between a relaxing restoration sim and a quiet horror story. It is a strange, compelling mix that feels unlike anything else on the horizon.