Dead Cells is an action-platformer that combines 2D action game combat with roguelike mechanics of permadeath and procedural generation of levels. The title is designed in pixel art and set in an ever-changing map with challenging difficulty levels. As you progress, you need to constantly fight against pattern-based opponents and bosses and master weapons and spells as each forces unique gameplay.
In Dead Cells, you take over new hosts every time you die, so each run is different from the previous one. When you get killed, you lose your equipment and items, but during the game, you can unlock permanent upgrades that help you move further ahead in the next attempt. The plague-ridden island you’re on is changing with every run, so you need to adapt and not rely on the memory of previous runs quickly.
Combat in Dead Cells is the central point of the game as you need to move forward through hordes of enemies, but there’s a vast array of weapons and attacks you can choose from, like daggers for close attacks or machine guns, laying traps, or freezing opponents.
Even though the game is unforgiving and if you die, you need to start over, its fast-paced progression and dynamic combat make it a great title. You can buy and download Dead Cells on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Why should I download Dead Cells?
Even though Dead Cells is not the easiest game, its mechanics are very rewarding and make the title fully replayable. Because the game changes every time you die, you can use new weapons and tactics, unlock permanent upgrades, and land on a level with a new layout.
Combat is the most important part, and the weapons at your disposal change frequently. You can be wielding swords, throwing knives, or using electric whips, all depending on what your host in the current run is and what weapons you find along the way. You can have two primary weapons and two extra items like grenades or traps, so you can mix the attacks and find a tactic that works best. Each weapon also gets randomized effects, so it’s never the same and brings variety to the gameplay.
You need to be precise and get into a good rhythm when performing attacks, as it will be more beneficial than just smashing random buttons. To help with that, Dead Cells has very responsive and intuitive controls that make moving, dodging, jumping, and attacking smooth.
While all levels in Dead Cells are procedurally generated, they keep their main theme. You may not know the layout or types of enemies you’ll get in the next run, but you know what kind of challenges and rewards each theme offers. In each level, you get secret passages, hidden areas, locked runes, and timed doors, so you can explore while also fighting the enemies coming at you. This can be beneficial as you can find shortcuts, biomes rich in loot, or which parts to avoid the next time you’re in this level.
The core mechanic in Dead Cells is that if you die, you get back to the beginning, as there are no checkpoints, but the game doesn’t force you to start from scratch. During each run, you collect cells that you can spend to unlock new weapons, abilities, or mutations at the end of each stage.
You can also get blueprints for gear if you defeat specific enemies or find them in hidden passages. The more you upgrade, the more options you can choose from when starting a new run. You can also have passive mutations to recover your health or shorten the cooldown. This way, you have more options to alter your gameplay and get further ahead in the game after each kill.
Each enemy in Dead Cells has unique attack patterns, so you can learn them to be better prepared next time. This game rewards upgrading your skills as a player and getting more effective when going through the levels; it’s not a title focused on high scores or grinding skills. You can master the timing of your attacks and dodges, understand how to use the weapons at your disposal best, and combine them for better results, all of which helps you when faced with a level boss or very strong enemies.
Over time, Dead Cells was upgraded with new content, enemies, weapons, and features, and there are also DLCs you can buy separately, like the Return to Castlevania crossover one. The game constantly expands, and the pixel art graphics, effects, and animations are refined. You can buy Dead Cells for a variety of platforms, including iOS and Android mobile devices, Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, as well as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.
Is Dead Cells free?
No, Dead Cells is not a free game, so in order to play it, you need to buy it first, and you can choose between the base game or get it with expansion packs and DLC bundles. The price depends on the platform you’ll play on and the version you’ll choose.
What operating systems are compatible with Dead Cells?
You can download Dead Cells and play it on Windows 7 or higher, macOS 10.9 or later, and various Linux versions. It’s also available on smartphones and tablets with iOS 12.0 or newer and Android 7.0 or up.
When it comes to gaming consoles, Dead Cells was released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
What are the alternatives to Dead Cells?
Have a Nice Death is an action and roguelike title with hand-drawn graphics where you play as the CEO of Death Inc. You need to explore different, procedurally generated departments of this corporation in order to discipline your employees. The combat is the central part of the game, with various skills, spells, and curses to choose from. Have a Nice Death is a paid game available on Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Hollow Knight is a paid, full Metroidvania with a massive map, non-linear exploration options, and abilities that you need to gain to unlock new areas. It’s a perfect game for skilled players as it has difficult bosses you need to defeat and learn their fighting patterns. With hand-drawn artwork, Hollow Knight is available on Steam, GOG, Humble Store, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an emotional game based on deep visual storytelling that promotes exploration and mastering the movements of Ori, a small spirit. There’s combat in this game, but the real challenge comes from the traversal mechanics, so you can fluidly grapple, dash, and launch off projectiles. You can buy it on Steam for Windows PCs, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox.
