The Norwood Suite

About

The Norwood Suite is a single player casual simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by Cosmo D and was released on October 2, 2017. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"The Norwood Suite" is a first-person narrative-driven game set in a mysterious hotel. As a visitor, you'll uncover eccentric characters, surreal events, and hidden secrets, all while trying to discover the truth behind the hotel's enigmatic host. With its distinctive jazz soundtrack and immersive environment, the game invites you on a unique adventure filled with intrigue and humor.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+15

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,104 reviews

music197 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

The Norwood Suite offers a unique and surreal experience, blending vibrant visuals with an engaging soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere.
The game encourages exploration and interaction with quirky characters, creating a captivating environment that keeps players intrigued.
Despite its short length, the game is filled with charm and creativity, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate artistic and unconventional storytelling.

The gameplay primarily consists of simple fetch quests, which can feel repetitive and may not provide enough challenge for some players.
The character models and graphics are often criticized for being low-quality and can detract from the overall experience.
The story can be confusing and lacks a clear resolution, leaving some players feeling unsatisfied by the ending.

music
535 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
60%
3%
The music in "The Norwood Suite" is widely praised for its immersive and eclectic soundtrack, which enhances the game's surreal atmosphere and storytelling. Many players appreciate the unique integration of music into the gameplay, with distinct tracks for different areas and characters communicating through musical notes. While some reviews express mixed feelings about the music's repetitiveness or quality, the overall consensus highlights it as a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and experience.
- “The music truly defines this game, and steps it up from a simple fetch-quest entry in the indie library to an incredible sonic experience.”
- “The soundtrack — composed by the developer himself — is one of the Norwood Suite's strongest assets.”
- “The music is fantastic, as you would expect for a game like this, setting moods for the various locations of the hotel, its jazz-infused electronic style reminding me of Radiohead's 'Climbing Up the Walls'.”
- “First of all, in my subjective opinion, the music in it is awful and there is no option to turn it off, which makes sense since it is a music-related walking simulator, but I had to mute the whole game because I could not stand it.”
- “For a game that focuses on music, all the audio sucks.”
- “The music is nothing but a bunch of instruments playing in a cacophony of garbled nonsense.”
story
289 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
73%
3%
The story of *The Norwood Suite* is characterized by its surreal and fragmented narrative, set in a bizarre hotel once owned by a legendary musician. While some players appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and thematic depth, many find the plot disjointed and lacking in resolution, often reduced to a series of fetch quests that can feel aimless. Overall, the game offers an intriguing experience for those drawn to abstract narratives and immersive environments, but it may leave others wanting a more coherent and engaging storyline.
- “Cosmo D's visual storytelling is top notch.”
- “The characters, music, and scenery all came together and told a very strange story that left me wanting more.”
- “The story is intentionally fragmented, and the logic of its world is surreal — which can be disorienting if you’re expecting clear answers or a traditional plot structure.”
- “I tried to get into the story by listening to all of the characters tell their stories, but at the end of the day, it was a very short exploration game that even at the end, I have no idea what the story was even about.”
- “The story doesn't make much sense.”
graphics
214 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
8%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique and surreal aesthetic that blends quirky, low-resolution visuals with abstract art styles, often evoking a dreamlike atmosphere. While some players appreciate the bizarre charm and artistic intent behind the visuals, others find them off-putting or reminiscent of outdated graphics from earlier gaming eras. Overall, the game's distinctive art direction and immersive sound design contribute significantly to its appeal, despite mixed opinions on the quality of the graphics themselves.
- “The art style leans heavily into the abstract, with bold colors, stretched proportions, and shifting perspectives that give the game a dreamlike texture.”
- “The visuals are stunning, if sometimes head-scratching.”
- “The graphics are unusual, the character design is uniformly non-uniform, and the end result is a fever dream with a helpful concierge desk in it.”
- “The graphics are about the lowest type of graphics you can expect.”
- “The textures, graphics, and NPC models are god awful, like something out of the early 2000s, while the game itself doesn't even have a proper main menu.”
- “Visually, it's a complete mess, with vibrant colors and blocky visuals; I could imagine this would cause many headaches for those susceptible!”
gameplay
125 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
73%
9%
The gameplay of "The Norwood Suite" is primarily focused on exploration, conversation, and simple puzzle-solving, often resembling a walking simulator with basic mechanics like fetch quests. While some players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and unique art style, many criticize the gameplay for being shallow, repetitive, and lacking challenge, with a general consensus that it serves more as a vehicle for storytelling rather than a robust gaming experience. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy artistic and surreal environments, but may disappoint players seeking depth and complexity in gameplay.
- “Gameplay-wise, the focus is on exploration, conversation, and puzzle-solving — but it’s all loose and fluid.”
- “The main gameplay involves exploring Hotel Norwood, conversing with occupants, and doing various tasks all in an effort to gain entry to an exclusive party taking place at the hotel.”
- “Even though most of the gameplay is based around fetching things for other guests in the hotel as to progress the game, the creators make it immersive by weaving a story through dialogue about a musical genius and the fate of his flamboyant hotel.”
- “If you are looking for innovative gameplay or thrills, you're also out of luck.”
- “Unfortunately, beyond the art style, the gameplay and storytelling feel a bit underwhelming and could have been developed more thoroughly.”
- “The gameplay consists of very simple fetch quests, the dialogue system is kind of tedious, and the writing is not the greatest, as most stories are too surreal to be interesting.”
atmosphere
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its surreal, immersive quality, enhanced by a unique art style and an eclectic soundtrack that creates a vibrant and engaging experience. Players appreciate the blend of humor, charm, and a slightly eerie vibe, which draws them into the bizarre world of the game. While some reviews note that the narrative may not fully match the depth of the atmosphere, the overall ambiance remains a standout feature that captivates and invites exploration.
- “Set in a bizarre mountaintop hotel once owned by a legendary musician, this title from developer Cosmo D defies genre conventions in favor of mood, tone, and atmospheric storytelling.”
- “The atmosphere, the story, the puzzles, the music -- I didn't think I could fall into obsession with a walking sim but this has just the right amount of weird for me.”
- “The star of the show is the surreal and amazingly organic atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is disorienting, but rarely actually scary.”
- “There aren't really any puzzles, and although the atmosphere is surreal and strange, the narrative is a bit of a mess and I don't really know what was even happening.”
- “The visual style is fantastic, with nonsensical architecture and a dreamlike atmosphere, but the game doesn’t really live up to this style because it’s chock-full of terrible lighting decisions and what appear to be stock character models from the uncanny valley that stand motionless with vacant, unblinking expressions.”
humor
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
9%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of surreal, absurdist, and zany elements, often enhanced by its unique atmosphere and music. While some players appreciate the quirky characters and funny situations, others find the dialogue lacking and the gameplay repetitive. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy a mix of bizarre humor and creative storytelling, though opinions on its effectiveness vary.
- “Incredible atmosphere and music, funny gameplay, and an eerie narrative that goes to some very conceptual/metaphorical yet surprisingly real places.”
- “A surreal walking simulator that oozes with creativity and humor.”
- “Both off-peak and this one have a penchant for zany, dreamy use of props, color, lighting, and worldbuilding, a sometimes slightly unsettling, funny, creative place full of wondrous encounters, humorous dialogue, sharp observations, and ridiculous exaggerations.”
- “It's just not very interesting; it's mostly fetch quests and unfunny dialogue.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced, making the experience less enjoyable.”
- “I expected more laughs, but the jokes are stale and the comedic timing is off.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players noting that it runs well even on low-end PCs, while others criticize it for poor graphics and overall performance issues. Many users describe the game as underoptimized, with some likening it to a school project due to its lack of polish. However, a few players report smooth performance and good frame rates, indicating that experiences may vary significantly based on hardware.
- “As for performance, you can probably play the game even on a low-end PC without any worries.”
- “Graphics, performance and tech analysis score: 9/10”
- “Great optimization and nice interactivity.”
- “Underoptimized.”
- “This feels like a school project; the visuals are awful, the optimization is non-existent, the music and 'talking' noises made by characters are nausea-inducing.”
- “The whole game runs a bit subpar, probably resulting from the Unity engine and lack of optimization, which is fine; I've made games and optimization is tough with Unity.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
Overall, the game has limited replayability, with many players noting a lack of multiple endings or significant content variations. While some aspects, like the unpredictable story and quirky characters, may encourage a second playthrough, the general consensus is that the game offers little incentive to replay once completed. Players suggest that the experience may be more enjoyable when shared with others, but ultimately, replay value is considered minimal.
- “The unpredictable story, the odd events and quirky characters, the way it keeps you on edge...everything about this game is amazing, and it has great replayability.”
- “Music is a central theme of the game, so it's fitting that the soundtrack here is a standout feature, and while there's not much long-term replay value here, the ending sequence is unexpected and intriguing enough to invite a second playthrough.”
- “The game lasts from 2 to 3 hours and doesn't have much replayability, though, if you manage to have a friend buy it, it can be super fun having them go through the game and watching their reactions and confusion while you know already what is going on.”
- “No real replayability; extra time is from me going back to get an achievement I missed, or in the far future to experience it again.”
- “It doesn't have much replay value: no multiple endings or anything like that.”
- “Replay value is pretty much non-existent, unless you want to watch conversations for longer or go through the exact same content again.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and repetitive, primarily due to slow movement speed and a reliance on simple fetch quests. The dialogue and writing are often described as dull and irrelevant, contributing to an overall sense of tedium in the gameplay experience. While there are unique elements, the constant backtracking and lack of engaging content detract from the enjoyment.
- “The gameplay consists of very simple fetch quests, the dialogue system is kind of tedious, and the writing is not the greatest, as most stories are too surreal to be interesting.”
- “Overall impression: a unique experience with a great setting held back by tedious gameplay and ugly visuals.”
- “There are a bunch of secret passages in the hotel (tied to achievements) with some crazy stuff inside them, but super slow walk speed coupled with constant backtracking made the experience overall tedious and repetitive.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is notably problematic, with frequent glitches, crashes, and long loading times reported by users. Many players have experienced freezing issues and buggy achievements, detracting from the overall experience despite the game's charm. Overall, while the game has potential, it requires significant fixes to improve its stability.
- “Game constantly freezes and crashes in the 32-bit version.”
- “Loading title takes long to load, game screen freezes and lags; it's an awesome game but it needs some fixing.”
- “The achievements are also slightly buggy; one of them outright refused to trigger for me.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its immersive soundtrack and touching story, which enhance the overall experience through effective sound design and musical cues. While some classify it as psychological horror, the emotional impact is primarily felt through the audio elements, creating a deeply engaging atmosphere.
- “It's quite immersive; the soundtrack is lovely and the story's oddly touching.”
- “Sound design and musical cues aren't just background; they’re part of the world-building and emotional flow.”
- “Animated speakers are strewn about the hotel, and you can’t escape the intense and emotional audio realm; I went onto Bandcamp and downloaded the OST.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Character development is praised for its visually striking designs and engaging dialogue, although some characters tend to be overly verbose. The unique and eclectic graphics contribute to a surreal atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The character designs are great, both visually and story-wise, and I enjoy listening to what they have to say, though some speak for very long.”
- “The graphics are unusual, the character design is uniformly non-uniform, and the end result is a fever dream with a helpful concierge desk in it.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me wanting more complexity.”
- “The dialogue choices do not significantly impact character growth, which makes the development feel stagnant.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
Reviews highlight concerns about the game's monetization practices, suggesting that it reflects broader themes of artistic corruption and corporate greed. While some argue for a cautious approach due to a lack of concrete evidence, the game's quality is often compared to that of asset flips and cash grabs, raising significant concerns about its value.
- “The themes of artistic monetization and corporate expansion are not overstated; they resonate more with the realities of the modern age.”
- “The themes of artistic monetization and corporate expansion were not overstated, but they prove to ring more true by the day in the modern age.”
- “There's no evidence, so we need to give the benefit of the doubt. Regardless, asset flip or not, the quality here is indistinguishable from many asset flip cash grab scams, and that's a problem in itself.”

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60%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

The Norwood Suite
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3h Median play time

4h Average play time

2h Main story

2h Completionist

2-5h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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The Norwood Suite is a casual simulation game with horror theme.

The Norwood Suite is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

The main story can be completed in around 2 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 2 hours to finish. On average players spend around 4 hours playing The Norwood Suite.

The Norwood Suite was released on October 2, 2017.

The Norwood Suite was developed by Cosmo D.

The Norwood Suite has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its optimization.

The Norwood Suite is a single player game.

Similar games include Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1, Off-Peak, Dreaming Sarah, Broken Reality, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter and others.

The Norwood Suite

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