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Dead Cells

Dead Cells is a wonderfully complete experience that is so difficult to put down.
Dead Cells Game Cover
94%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, stability
96% User Score Based on 49,882 reviews
Critic Score 91%Based on 6 reviews

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Dead Cells Game Cover

About

Dead Cells is a single player hack and slash game. It was developed by Motion Twin and was released on August 6, 2018. It received very positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Dead Cells is a RogueVania game, combining the progressive exploration of a Metroidvania with the replayability of a rogue-lite and the challenging combat of a souls-like. With over 150 weapons and spells, players will face permadeath while navigating through an interconnected world with multiple areas to explore. Nonlinear progression allows for choice in route and permanent abilities to unlock new paths.

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Dead Cells screenshot
Dead Cells screenshot
Dead Cells screenshot
Dead Cells screenshot
Dead Cells screenshot
Dead Cells screenshot
Dead Cells screenshot
Dead Cells screenshot
Dead Cells screenshot
Dead Cells screenshot
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96%
Audience ScoreBased on 49,882 reviews
gameplay2.7k positive mentions
grinding581 negative mentions
  • Dead Cells offers exceptional replayability with procedurally generated levels, diverse weapon combinations, and a variety of difficulty settings that keep each run fresh and engaging.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced and fluid, combining addictive mechanics with a rewarding challenge that encourages mastery and experimentation.
  • The pixel art and atmospheric soundtrack enhance the immersive experience, creating a captivating world that players enjoy exploring.
  • Some players find the game can become stale after extensive play, with a lack of depth in character development and minimal narrative progression.
  • The presence of in-game ads for DLC in a paid title has been criticized as intrusive and detracting from the overall enjoyment.
  • While the game runs well for many, there are reports of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, leading to frustrating experiences.
  • gameplay
    5,400 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Dead Cells" is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics and engaging combat, combining elements of roguelikes and metroidvania-style exploration. Players appreciate the variety of weapons and abilities, which allow for diverse playstyles and strategies, while the permadeath mechanic adds a layer of challenge that encourages mastery of the game's systems. Despite some criticisms regarding difficulty spikes and repetitive elements, the overall experience is described as addictive and rewarding, making it a standout title in its genre.

    • “Every run feels fluid, fast, and deeply rewarding, with mechanics that constantly challenge and engage.”
    • “The gameplay is fantastic, fun, addictive, etc. There's very little I can legitimately complain about when it comes to the actual rules of the game.”
    • “The gameplay is fast and fluid, it has a ton of gameplay systems which some of my favorite attack animation cancel, rally system (getting your health back after being damaged, was inspired by the game Bloodborne) and final chance (when taking an attack with a guaranteed death damage you're instead left with 1 hp to make a comeback).”
    • “It's painfully mediocre with an absurdly repetitive gameplay loop.”
    • “The lack of mechanics just feels so lackluster to me, like you're doing the same thing in the entire run, while in other games you can feel some sort of 'progress' and 'leveling up' this just feels like no progress at all.”
    • “The gameplay loop gets real boring without the DLCs.”
  • graphics
    2,913 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Dead Cells" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art style, fluid animations, and vibrant colors that enhance the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the game's unique blend of retro aesthetics with modern design elements, creating a visually captivating environment that complements its fast-paced combat. While some critiques mention minor graphical glitches or a lack of depth in certain areas, the overall consensus is that the visuals are a significant highlight, contributing to the game's addictive nature and replayability.

    • “The pixel art style is stylish and vibrant, blending detailed sprite-work with dynamic lighting and particle effects.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, featuring a beautifully detailed pixel-art style that brings the game's dark and eerie atmosphere to life.”
    • “The art style is gorgeous, and the soundtrack is a perfect match to the action.”
    • “The graphics are like straight out of early 2000 platformer games, wrapped in interactive background physics and amazing music.”
    • “I don't understand why companies choose to make games with terrible pixel graphics from the last century.”
    • “The graphics and aesthetics are terrible.”
  • music
    2,394 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Dead Cells" has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the gameplay experience, with many players praising its energetic and atmospheric tracks that fit the various biomes perfectly. While some find the soundtrack repetitive after extended play, the overall composition is considered top-notch, contributing significantly to the game's immersive environment. The addition of a Castlevania-inspired soundtrack in the DLC has also been highlighted as a standout feature, further enriching the auditory experience.

    • “Coupled with detailed pixel art, stunning skill effects, and scene-fitting soundtracks, the immersion is top-notch.”
    • “The pixel art is gorgeous, the soundtrack slaps, and the sheer variety of builds keeps combat exciting for dozens of hours.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Yoann Laulan, complements the gameplay perfectly, with tracks that range from atmospheric to adrenaline-pumping.”
    • “The music is a bit repetitive, but it gets you into the mood.”
    • “The music, while fine, is unremarkable, forgettable, and overly laden with amateurish reality TV cymbal rolls.”
    • “The soundtrack to me got really repetitive and I thought it was gonna be more of an action soundtrack; to me it sounds casual.”
  • replayability
    1,604 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Dead Cells is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its procedurally generated levels, diverse weapon combinations, and a variety of difficulty settings that keep each run fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the game's addictive nature, which encourages experimentation and mastery of different builds, making it a standout title in the roguelike genre. Despite some critiques regarding potential staleness after extensive play, the overall consensus is that Dead Cells offers near-infinite replay value, making it a must-play for fans of action-packed, skill-based games.

    • “Dead Cells is not just challenging — it’s deeply satisfying, addictive, and endlessly replayable, rewarding skill and creativity at every turn.”
    • “With over a dozen biomes, countless weapons and builds, mutations, and dozens of alternate paths and secrets, Dead Cells offers an enormous amount of replay value.”
    • “The roguelike elements of Dead Cells, coupled with its procedurally generated levels, ensure that each run feels fresh and exciting, offering a high level of replayability that keeps me hooked for hours on end.”
    • “However, the overall design of the game fights against replayability and experimentation, which are the hallmarks of a roguelike.”
    • “This game is really fun on the first few runs, but its deficiency in replayability is kind of a massive handicap for a roguelike game...”
    • “Having finished to the end in about 6 hours, the replayability of the game seems a bit concerning considering subsequent runs become stale rather quickly.”
  • story
    1,495 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Dead Cells" is often described as minimal and fragmented, with players uncovering bits of lore through environmental storytelling and scattered notes rather than a cohesive narrative. While some find the cryptic nature of the story intriguing, many reviewers note that it takes a backseat to the gameplay, which is the main draw of the game. Overall, those seeking a rich narrative experience may be disappointed, as the focus is primarily on fast-paced action and exploration rather than a deep storyline.

    • “The story is minimal, but the gameplay more than makes up for it, creating an addictive loop of dying, learning, and improving.”
    • “The story is interesting although not directly fed to you, and the soundtrack has so many bangers.”
    • “The story is great and intriguing, with the gameplay being extremely fun too.”
    • “There's not nearly enough story to rate.”
    • “The only thing I can knock Dead Cells for is that some aspects of the game's design and its story feel unfinished.”
    • “The lore/story is really the most disappointing part; you'd think that with finishing a run being such a task and then increasing the difficulty you'd therefore unlock more of the story and find out more about what happened to the kingdom, but nope, you get the same old lore rooms where your character quips about something for a line or two and then that's it.”
  • grinding
    651 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. Many find it excessively tedious and repetitive, especially in the early stages where unlocking abilities and upgrades requires significant time investment, leading to a sense of frustration. However, some players appreciate the grind as a necessary part of the roguelike experience, enjoying the challenge and the sense of progression it provides, despite acknowledging that it can become monotonous over time. Overall, while the game offers engaging mechanics and variety, the grinding can detract from the enjoyment for those who prefer a more streamlined experience.

    • “Meta progress wasn't as grindy and the upgrades were always worth it.”
    • “Despite the difficulty, there is little to no grinding and the game is very replayable.”
    • “I don't know if there's enough content to keep someone playing for hundreds of hours like other roguelikes, but the hours you will spend playing will have almost no grinding, and isn't that a better system?”
    • “Game is extremely grindy after the first run; if you want to collect abilities, weapons, and skins, it's going to take a long time.”
    • “Wanted to like this; it starts fun but devolves into tedious cell grinding around a bad progression system where you have to choose between cool unlocks and your characters getting stronger.”
    • “The only complaint I have is that the game starts to feel like constant grinding instead of giving pure fun at some point, as you start to get new blueprints and try to unlock them via collecting and investing cells again and again.”
  • humor
    580 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, featuring a mix of dark, self-referential, and absurd comedic elements that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, funny character interactions, and numerous pop culture references, which contribute to a lighthearted tone amidst the challenging gameplay. The protagonist's quirky antics and the game's playful mechanics, such as humorous weapon designs and animations, further solidify its reputation as a fun and engaging title.

    • “The humor, the gameplay, the massive amount of content, and the sheer love that Motion Twin put into this game make it a certified banger.”
    • “It's genuinely everything you'd want in a metroidvania roguelike, from sprawling maps full of secrets, to clean fun combat with tons of play styles and fluid responsive movement, to a better sense of humor than most comedies, without ever getting tiring.”
    • “Dead Cells is a hilarious and addictive game that blends intense combat, dark humor, and pixel-perfect visuals.”
    • “It is not funny, it's not quirky, it's pathetic and childish.”
    • “Not funny.”
    • “Is it supposed to be funny or not?”
  • atmosphere
    345 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Dead Cells" is widely praised for its stunning pixel art, immersive sound design, and dynamic environments that create a captivating and often darkly vibrant world. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke tension and excitement through its atmospheric soundtrack, which complements the gameplay and enhances the overall experience. The combination of fluid gameplay mechanics, rich lore, and diverse biomes contributes to a unique and engaging atmosphere that keeps players returning for more.

    • “Coupled with an energetic soundtrack, the game’s atmosphere feels tense, vibrant, and utterly alive.”
    • “The vibrant, hand-animated sprites and detailed environments create a dark yet captivating atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark but the vibrant colors make the game feel like a painting.”
    • “The atmosphere is very journey-like, but there are very dark undertones in the scenery and the flavor texts between levels.”
    • “It is a bit lackluster in terms of atmosphere, lore, and story.”
    • “While randomly generated, each area stays true to an overall theme when it comes to atmosphere, level design, and art direction.”
  • optimization
    172 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many praise its smooth performance across various platforms, including low-end systems and mobile devices, some players report occasional stuttering and performance issues, particularly on specific hardware configurations. Overall, the game is generally well-optimized, but there are calls for further improvements to address the sporadic performance hiccups experienced by some users.

    • “Dead Cells is exceptionally well-optimized, running smoothly on most systems, including the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.”
    • “The mobile version of Dead Cells truly shines with its intuitive touch controls, optimized interface, and overall performance that rivals its console and PC counterparts.”
    • “This game has probably the most optimized, comfortable, and responsive controls ever.”
    • “The disparity between the rush of mowing down weaker enemies in stages and then dealing with bosses that hit like semi-trucks really makes doing any build that isn't optimized for bosses basically pointless.”
    • “Please optimize performance; hardware is not bottlenecked, but loading is slow.”
    • “I keep encountering a lot of stuttering when multiple enemies come on screen, and my PC should be more than good enough.”
  • stability
    135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including freezing issues and unresponsive mechanics. While some users experience smooth performance on various platforms, including PC and Steam Deck, others find the game overly buggy, leading to frustrating moments during play. Overall, while the game has solid gameplay and runs well for some, the presence of significant bugs detracts from the experience for many players.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck and PC.”
    • “The game runs great with smooth, beautiful animation while featuring extremely tight controls and gameplay that feels 'just right'.”
    • “Yes, pretty good game 99% bug free!”
    • “The cursed sword glitch cost me my first successful run; if you play the game without watching tutorials, the glitches can be insanely frustrating.”
    • “The game also freezes sometimes, which can end up putting you back at the beginning of a stage.”
    • “Unfortunately, in my case, it was more like every 5 minutes, with frequent glitches, dying to invisible enemies, and random crashes to desktops.”
  • emotional
    85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is frequently highlighted by players who describe it as a profound and heart-wrenching experience, often leading to tears of both joy and sorrow. Many reviews emphasize the game's ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from despair and rage to hope and excitement, making it a compelling emotional rollercoaster. Players appreciate the depth of character interactions and the immersive storytelling that resonates deeply, often bringing them together with loved ones during challenging times.

    • “This game is an emotional rollercoaster and it's one hell of a ride.”
    • “With Dead Cells, it really feels like I grew with the game and beating it made me feel like I had become a stronger person.”
    • “Never in my life has a game made me feel a more potent mix of rage, despair, hope, hype, excitement, resignation, and indigestion.”
    • “The story lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on an emotional level.”
    • “I found the characters to be uninteresting, which made it difficult to feel any emotional investment in their journeys.”
    • “The emotional moments felt forced and didn't resonate with me at all.”
  • monetization
    35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over in-game advertisements for DLC in a paid title, which they find intrusive and scummy. While some appreciate the absence of microtransactions and commend the developers for providing a complete experience without corporate greed, others feel that the integration of DLC ads into gameplay detracts from the overall enjoyment. Overall, players are divided, with a clear preference for games that respect their purchase by avoiding aggressive monetization tactics.

    • “No microtransactions, nothing, to get in your way of enjoying this game.”
    • “Really showcases what a small dedicated developer can do without the corporate overlords pushing microtransactions or gaming as a service.”
    • “In an age of microtransactions, triple-A greed and live services, Motion Twin has returned us to an age where, when you buy a game, you've bought the game, and that is that.”
    • “The game is fun, but the ads for the DLC are insanely annoying.”
    • “In-game ads for DLC is a massive no, especially when the levels themselves add in paths and obstacles that force you to go through them before you get a big 'buy this DLC to open up this door' message. It's massively scummy.”
    • “Advertising inside a paid game (and not just in the menu system, but inside the actual game??!?) is unacceptable.”
  • character development
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking, with many reviewers noting that while the character and enemy designs are visually stunning and creatively executed, there is minimal progression or depth in character growth. Some players express disappointment over the absence of a substantial story or character development mechanics, especially in comparison to other roguelike titles that offer more robust character-building experiences. Overall, the focus seems to be more on aesthetic appeal and gameplay mechanics rather than on developing a rich narrative or character arcs.

    • “I do love the unique character design ranging from the player, NPCs, and the enemies.”
    • “Beautiful art style and wonderfully creative character designs.”
    • “Character design and animations are brilliant and can be quite humorous at times.”
    • “Lore and ambiance are low-effort; the character design is even more pointless.”
    • “The mechanism is surprisingly mediocre considering there is almost no story nor character development in this game.”
    • “Probably my biggest issue with the game, though, is the lack of actual character development, meaning your character will never really get stronger (apart from cell upgrades), which is quite disappointing since other rogue-like games do offer character building to make the player feel like they are in actual control.”
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91%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews
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25h Median play time
82h Average play time
10-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 311 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Dead Cells is a hack and slash game.

Dead Cells is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 82 hours playing Dead Cells.

Dead Cells was released on August 6, 2018.

Dead Cells was developed by Motion Twin.

Dead Cells has received very positive reviews from players and very positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Dead Cells is a single player game.

Similar games include Skul: The Hero Slayer, Rogue Legacy 2, Rogue Legacy, Ember Knights, Wizard of Legend and others.