Dead Cells Review

The Metroidvania and Roguelike gaming scene is crowded with countless titles that often follow the same formula: fighting through enemy-infested areas, collecting items, and offering hours of adventure. However, Dead Cells not only nails this formula but elevates it to a level I’ve never quite experienced before. It’s charming, fast-paced, and frantic, and manages to excel in nearly every category. This might just be the best Metroidvania game I’ve played in a long time.

Game Name: Dead Cells
Platform(s): PC/Steam (reviewed), PS4, Xbox One and Switch
Publisher(s): Motion Twin
Developer(s): Motion Twin
Release Date:  August 7, 2018
Price: $19.99

While most gamers will experience Dead Cells on August 7, 2018, I’ve been playing since PAX East 2017, where it was tucked away in the Indie Megabooth. It was there that my team and I first saw what the French developer was pitching as a unique experience. As someone who grew up on Castlevania and loves Metroidvania games, I decided to give it a shot—and promptly died, over and over again. But I couldn’t stop playing. At some point, the developer chuckled and mentioned that this was exactly their intention.

A year later, I’m still hooked. Each attempt brings me a little closer to conquering Dead Cells before the enemies or a boss completely wreck me. What sets Dead Cells apart from other games is how it keeps you coming back for just one more try. And trust me—you will go for one more.

At the heart of the game is its unique progression system. As you play, you’ll find items that enhance your future runs. The most important are the “cells,” which drop from enemies and serve as the currency for unlocking perks—if you survive to the next safe point. Perks include retaining some gold when you die, getting additional healing flasks, or starting with better weapons.

While permadeath is a big part of Dead Cells, it doesn’t mean the end. You’ll keep accumulating cells, steadily building a stronger character. At first, you’ll die quickly, but over time you’ll improve, mastering strategies, handling enemies better, and obtaining stronger gear. It’s a rinse-and-repeat cycle, but it never gets old, even after the first 20 or 30 deaths. Think of it as the Roguelite version of Groundhog Day.

The combat is equally thrilling, keeping you on your toes as you run, dodge, and jab your sword into enemies’ skulls. It’s fast-paced and relentless. The only moments of peace come after you’ve cleared an area—or when you die. Prepare to be swarmed again and again. Fortunately, there’s a wide variety of weapons and gadgets to help you survive. Swords, knives, bows, frost bombs, frost blasts (think Iceman from the X-Men), and more are scattered throughout the world. Not every weapon suits every player, and the strongest weapon isn’t always the best. A bit of experimentation is encouraged—and necessary.

But what happens when you die? Well, your game is over—no checkpoints or second chances. You’re sent back to the start with no items and no cells. This mechanic forces you to get better, which I found rewarding. There’s a nice variety of enemy types, from basic cannon fodder to relentless foes that track your every move, to those capable of ending your run with just a glance. Some enemies are so fast and deadly that you’ll wonder how you’ll ever escape. Then there are the “I FREAKING HATE YOU” enemies—you’ll know them when you see them. There’s no shortage of enemy variety, so no complaints there.

The art direction is also a refreshing change of pace. Gone are the dull browns, blacks, and grays often found in similar titles, replaced by a vibrant palette of pixel art like I’ve never seen before. Even enemies explode in a rainbow of destruction. The soundtrack complements each level perfectly, with several standout tracks. However, I did notice a small issue: the music sometimes pauses for a few seconds, likely due to improper looping. It’s a minor flaw, but worth noting.

Now, you might be wondering—what’s the downside of Dead Cells? Honestly, there isn’t much. The pacing is spot-on, the execution is excellent, and there’s little to criticize. If I had to nitpick, I’d mention the frustration of reaching a boss and getting annihilated in seconds. But that’s part of the game’s charm—learn, improve, or die trying.

Now, if only I could find that elusive frying pan weapon…

Review Disclosure Statement: This copy of Dead Cells was provided to us by Motion Twin for review purposes. For more information on how we review video games and other media/technology, please go review our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy for more info.

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