Dead Cells Review: Can it be a multi-tasker?

This game was covered with a provided code from Motion Twin in purposes of review for this game, a humble thank you to them!

Platforming randomly generated games like Rogue Legacy are noted by many gamers are ether insanely brutal in difficulty and require many hours to understand and master their enemy patterns, and the core basics to the game itself. Dead Cells handles itself more like a Metroid-vania game meets Dark Souls. Splash in some of that fore mentioned Rogue Legacy and you have yourself this game in a nutshell. Dead Cells crafts together all of the elements of love, brutally fair difficulty into a game that keeps you coming back for more. The story itself is not as focused into the game, other then you are a glob of goop that can not die. Which can enter a suit of eastern like armor which can adapt to several weapons and accessories. Motion Twin’s first attempt towards a game leaves such a open to think of what is what to this game. Meaning create your own story, and pay attention to little bits and pieces to the world around you. Much like Dark Souls. In Dark Souls case you are given small bits and pieces to solve the lore behind bosses or the world around you. This more measures towards simply a very dangerously generated world which at every turn can kick the living crap out of you.

The gameplay in Dead Cells as mentioned above is a Souls-lite game. You are presented with random blueprints for accessories, weapons, and buffs for your own personal use. To find these said blueprints it measures down to going around to slay enemies, break arches in walls, and just finding them at vendors. Most enemies in the game do not pose as vicious as a threat if you play aggressively, others require you to play a bit careful then all out assault. Levels prior to the closed alpha access are much larger, then before. You are given many routes to find and enter, if you so choose too. It is quite easy to slip up even against simpler enemies. With only your self to blame.The controls themselves are very responsive, and tight feeling. So when I did die, it was my own darn fault and I instantly knew it and learned from my errors. As is required of this game. Many angry gamers might easily dislike the game for having a permanent death system, well that is just the bricks, is it not? The game does not hold your hand unless its really required. You are given short cuts or portals to pop back between areas if you noticed a few spots on the map you have not explored yet, so if a area feels too hot, just take a step back regroup, and hunt for loot.

Your character levels up its three core stats in the game. Aside from leveling weapons or buff abilities you are given the option to level your HP, weapons, and accessories once a node, or scroll is located. The RNG can be a favorable lady, or a cruel witch depending on your luck. At times I played through, only to get brutalized with merely non-useful items that I never really use, and have to reset. The penalty in this game is if you collect Cells, (which are used to purchase weapons and other items permanently for your next, or existing run) will drop if you flatout die. Now you will perhaps think this is unfair, but that is the whole point and fun of it, it forces you to learn, and get better so that does not occur as often, and it is advised to spend your cells when you get them so less worry is even there in the first place. How you spend Cells in this game are basically each area you enter, which are usually marked doors in each map you land in. You will have a transitional location where a rude vendor can upgrade, or unlock gear for you. The pricing originally was a bit steep, but since the launch, has been tweaked to a more then fair price tag for each item or so unlocked or discovered by picking up blueprints.

Enemies are the bread and butter next to the well made controls in this game. Their usually themed to the location you enter, These can be large as hell mushrooms that push spikes from the ground requiring you to move your arse, or feel the pinch on your cheeks. Bosses are some of the most challenging, and fun I have played in a good while next to Bloodborne.Aside from the usual assorted enemies are Elites, which in turn are like normal enemies, but a lot stronger. They can do double the normal damage, and can teleport, to kick the living crap out of you. With these I figured out a few strategies, which were fun to figure out per area I visited. Each location changes up the traps and enemies as mentioned before. Every location looks gloomy and fantastic to behold. Things like acid pits, spinning spiked balls are usually a thing that generates in tight spots, or jumping puzzles.

In Closing:

Dead Cells is a absolutely wonderful gem of a game. Everything just about is balanced, or thought out extremely well. If you love Dark Souls, Rogue Legacy, Salt and sanctuary, or BloodBorne.This game tucks elements refreshingly into one package, and has a super high replay-ability. We are still planning on enjoying the game even after this article is written. With some word of a mention of Console support later on, many people will explore what the PC Gamers are talking about.

– Highly Recommended – Game of the Year so far for us!