The motel

About

The motel is a single player survival survival game with a horror theme. It was developed by Aura Studios and was released on January 24, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

The Motel puts you on a late-night shift at a quiet roadside stop where routine tasks quickly turn tense as a dangerous threat lurks nearby. Balancing mundane chores with growing unease, you must navigate an eerie atmosphere filled with suspense and occasional dark humor. Multiple endings await based on how you survive the night.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 68 reviews

atmosphere8 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game has a charming atmosphere and visuals, with a nostalgic low-poly style that enhances the horror experience.
Players enjoyed the ability to pet the cat, which added a fun and endearing element to the game.
The game offers multiple endings, providing some replay value despite its short runtime.

Many players found the game to be extremely short, with a lack of variety in tasks and story development.
The gameplay can feel monotonous, with repetitive tasks and predictable jump scares that diminish the horror experience.
There are no checkpoints, requiring players to replay the entire game to explore different endings, which can be frustrating.

atmosphere
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
27%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charm, depth, and immersive qualities, with many players noting the effective use of music and graphics to enhance the experience. Despite some critiques regarding the story's brevity and shallowness, the overall ambiance successfully captivates players, creating a memorable and engaging environment. Many reviewers express excitement for future projects from the developers, highlighting the love and effort put into crafting the game's atmosphere.
- “This was a great game :) you can tell the dev put some love into the atmosphere.”
- “Such a fantastic night shift at the motel, love the atmosphere, the music, the motel; it was a fun experience to play.”
- “It has a solid atmosphere, but the story feels too shallow and wraps up quickly.”
- “The atmosphere is really well done, especially for such a short runtime.”
- “The sequences before and after the game are well done; the atmosphere was definitely there at the beginning.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The story has a solid atmosphere and engaging mechanics, but many players feel it lacks depth and complexity, often wrapping up too quickly. While the game features multiple endings and good presentation, there is a desire for more character development and varied tasks to enhance the narrative experience. Overall, the straightforward plot is enjoyable but could benefit from additional layers and challenges.
- “Great mechanics and storyline.”
- “Short with a good story and multiple endings with great presentation.”
- “The story and setting might be quite the usual with this genre but the atmosphere is really great, and the music helps a lot with that.”
- “It has a solid atmosphere, but the story feels too shallow and wraps up quickly.”
- “I just wish the plot had more depth or challenged the player a bit more.”
- “I wish there was more to the story and the characters, and maybe a way to resolve the situation that would involve catching the perpetrator.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
22%
11%
The music in the game has received high praise for enhancing the overall atmosphere, with many users noting its quality and ability to elevate key scenes. The soundtrack is described as enjoyable and fitting, contributing significantly to the immersive experience, particularly during tense moments. Overall, the combination of art style and music creates a captivating ambiance that players appreciate.
- “Music did not have to go that hard, but I love that it did.”
- “Such a fantastic night shift at the motel; I love the atmosphere, the music, and the motel. It was a fun experience to play.”
- “The story and setting might be quite the usual with this genre, but the atmosphere is really great, and the music helps a lot with that.”
- “+ dark music in the background”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
49%
13%
The gameplay is noted for its great mechanics and engaging storyline, with simple yet effective design that enhances replay value through multiple endings. However, some users find it to be quite boring, indicating a mixed reception overall.
- “Great mechanics and storyline.”
- “The gameplay is simple yet effective, and the multiple endings add a lot of replay value.”
- “Another amazing nightshift horror experience!”
- “But unfortunately, the gameplay is really very boring.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
The graphics of the game have received positive feedback, with many users appreciating the PS1-style visuals and the overall art direction. The atmospheric sequences, along with the effective sound design, enhance the game's appeal, contributing to a nostalgic yet immersive experience. Overall, the visuals are praised for their charm and character, making a strong impression on players.
- “The sequences before and after the game are well done; the atmosphere was definitely there at the beginning, and I personally really like the graphics.”
- “I loved the visuals and sound design in this one.”
- “I love the graphics and the character it gives the game, and the effects are great!”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is praised for its good price/performance ratio, indicating that players feel they are receiving solid value for the performance delivered.
- “The game offers a great price/performance ratio, making it accessible for a wide range of players.”
- “I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it runs smoothly even on lower-end hardware.”
- “The developers have done an excellent job with optimization, ensuring a seamless experience across various platforms.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Players appreciate the game's simple yet effective gameplay, noting that the presence of multiple endings significantly enhances its replayability.
- “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the diverse choices and paths available.”
- “The game encourages experimentation, making you want to replay it to explore all the different outcomes.”
- “The gameplay is simple yet effective, and the multiple endings add a lot of replay value.”
- “Once you finish the game, there's little incentive to play through it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an adventure.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by moments like the entertaining "cockroach party," which adds a delightful touch to the gameplay, though some players wished for more humorous interactions during tasks.
- “The cockroach party was a great little bit of humor; I loved that!”
- “I was expecting to see more things happen while doing tasks, but the humor in the game kept me entertained.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be manageable and enjoyable, as it involves completing normal tasks that are not perceived as tedious or annoying.