Dead Cells

 PlayStation 4
Dead Cells Image
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87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 293 Ratings

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  • Summary: Dead Cells puts you in control of a failed alchemic experiment trying to figure out what's happening on a sprawling, ever-changing and seemingly cursed Island. Tough but fair combat, responsive controls, challenging foes, permadeath and of course, the emergency panic roll to get you out ofDead Cells puts you in control of a failed alchemic experiment trying to figure out what's happening on a sprawling, ever-changing and seemingly cursed Island. Tough but fair combat, responsive controls, challenging foes, permadeath and of course, the emergency panic roll to get you out of trouble, make for a demanding, visceral and cathartic action game.

    Experience a roguevania, mixing an interconnected world, branching paths and unlockable skills with the constant adrenaline-pumping threat of permadeath. No checkpoints. You either vanquish the final boss in one go, or you try again. However, you keep some of your progress for successive runs; new paths you've unlocked, access to new levels, mutations, abilities and weapons.

    Speaking of weapons, Dead Cells features a plethora of ways to slay your enemies. A large variety of swords, bows and of course spells, but also whips, grenades and turrets, each one with its own unique twist. Plus, mutations and scrolls allow you to build and customize your character differently with each and every run.

    At the end of the day though, it's your skills as a player that matter most! Roguelites are about constantly sharpening your skills, until what was an insurmountable obstacle becomes a walk in the park. Patience, you'll get better! ... eventually.

    FEATURES:

    * Roguevania: The progressive exploration of an interconnected world, with the replayability of a rogue-lite and the adrenaline pumping threat of permadeath.

    * 2D Souls-lite Action: Tough but fair combat, the iconic dodge roll, more than 90 weapons and spells with unique gameplay... The unforgiving action wed to the absence of any kind of safety net makes for an adrenalin pumping ride each and every run.

    * Nonlinear Progression: Sewers, Ossuary or Ramparts? Once unlocked, special permanent abilities allow you to access new paths to reach your objective. Opt for the path that suits your current build, your play style, or just your mood.

    * Exploration: Secret rooms, hidden passages, charming landscapes. Take a moment to stroll the towers and breath in that fresh sea mist infused air.    … Expand
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Dead Cells: The Bad Seed - DLC Gameplay Reveal Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Digital Chumps
    Aug 6, 2018
    100
    Dead Cells, from any imaginable approach, thrives in a powerful cycle of surprise and satisfaction.
  2. IGN
    Aug 10, 2018
    95
    Dead Cells is a triumphant union of instinct, forethought, fun, and failure.
  3. Meristation
    Aug 6, 2018
    92
    Dead Cells is a complete success. The more you dive into what this castle-island has to offer, the higher the reward, while you battle thousands of monsters in unexpected ways. A true indie gem that any die-hard retro gamer will play forever.
  4. GameSpot
    Aug 6, 2018
    90
    Dead Cells is a phenomenal effort to blend together some very disparate genres into a tight, cohesive whole. It's one of the better examples of how to remix ideas without losing their individual strengths.
  5. GamingTrend
    Aug 6, 2018
    90
    Dead Cells is an amazing rogue-like 2D action platformer. Fast, fluid combat is enjoyable, especially with the different weapons and tools you can find. Permanent upgrades add a sense of progression and give you more goals to work towards.
  6. DarkStation
    Aug 16, 2018
    80
    As much as Dead Cells tries - and largely succeeds - to make some concessions to wider accessibility, it is still a game for players with patience and tolerance. Death is frequent, replays inevitable and while the hack-and-slash is almost always engaging in the moment, there's a fair amount of visual repetition and, thanks to the procedural generation elements, fun is little bit dependent on the luck of the draw. Dead Cells may be a near masterpiece of the genre, but the genre's conventions are still a barrier to greatness.
  7. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Aug 7, 2018
    70
    Dead Cells may not shift the genre’s trajectory or implement rogue-like mechanics in any new or inventive way, but it remains a consistently exciting and thrilling experience, even when you’ve seen that rapier for the fourth or fifth time.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 57
  3. Negative: 6 out of 57
  1. MEMESAREPEOPLE
    Jan 27, 2020
    10
    Dead Cells takes the art of death of video games and puts it on its head, with each run making you stronger until you are able to take on theDead Cells takes the art of death of video games and puts it on its head, with each run making you stronger until you are able to take on the final boss. While this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this idea, its a brilliant mix of classic Dark Souls-esque difficulty with fluid 2D Metroidvania action.

    In terms of story, you are a prisoner who is reanimated with the fate of traversing an island of unique environments, dying, and learning from death to get farther than you did last time, until you reach the final boss. While there isn’t much in terms of story upfront, the optional lore rooms are genuinely interesting and sometimes even grant you items or food to benefit you during your run, so there’s good reason to visit these.

    Dead Cells is a game where death is almost guaranteed to any gamer on their first run. You will die, a lot. However, its death that keeps you going and drives you forward. After every death, you come back with a valuable upgrade, a powerful new weapon or ability, or even knowledge of the foes you’re facing. The progression feels as if no run is ever wasted, ever, and each run inches you closer to the final boss, until you beat the final boss. However, the fun doesn’t stop there, as there are FIVE more playthroughs of New Game +, each with increasing difficulty to keep you progressing forward. Initially, exploration in Dead Cells is limited to what you can reach with a double jump, or with an elevator. However, progressing far enough will unlock you upgrades that will allow you to explore anywhere that can be explored, and you’ll be rewarded for it too, with either currency, or equipment you can either use or sell.

    Dead Cells is very flexible in its gameplay, with almost any possible playstyle being applicable here. You can be a speedy whirlwind of death, killing all that stands in your way. Or you can play it slow with turrets, traps, and slower weapons. Or you can avoid all combat entirely if you wish to reach a timed door, or if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the enemies. Most of the weapons and abilities in the game are up to the task to fit almost any playstyle. Dead Cells uses the design where if you’re skilled enough, you’re an untouchable whirlwind of death, thanks to the usage of dodge rolling and/or shield parrying.

    Dead Cells turns death into a lesson, or a stepping stone to the final boss, instead of a reason to rage-quit or to get frustrated. Take this with engrossing, difficult, flexible, and fluid 2D gameplay, and procedurally generated maps, and you have a game that will satisfy any Metroidvania fan.    … Expand
  2. Julio-FR
    Feb 10, 2022
    10
    El juegos esta buenisimo, ya lo probe en steam y en teclado no me gusto tanto pero en mando de ps4 me encanto.
    Lo recomiendo para los que le    El juegos esta buenisimo, ya lo probe en steam y en teclado no me gusto tanto pero en mando de ps4 me encanto.
    Lo recomiendo para los que le guste la dificultad    … Expand
  4. Pringled
    Aug 7, 2018
    10
    Amazing roguelike game. I havn't had a roguelike feeling like this since The Binding of Isaac, or a platformer experience like this since OriAmazing roguelike game. I havn't had a roguelike feeling like this since The Binding of Isaac, or a platformer experience like this since Ori and the Blind Forest. The game feels extremely polished with lot's of little details, secret areas and unlocks. I love how there is a sense of progression with the permanent unlocks system. If you die, you basically lose everything (as it should be in any good roguelike). However, after beating an area you can unlock some permanent upgrade that you start with after dying. The combat is fluent, the artstyle is great but most importantly the game is very challenging. Any roguelike fan should buy this.… Expand
  5. destinyfan1
    Aug 31, 2018
    9
    Amazing roguelike game,the art style is pretty,their is tons of hours to be had in this game,i am not even a fan of this genre,juli and augustAmazing roguelike game,the art style is pretty,their is tons of hours to be had in this game,i am not even a fan of this genre,juli and august where really boring months in gaming,so i saw the reviews,and then i saw dead cells,and o boy it is the best decision i made this summer
    Really don't be afraid,this game isn't very hard,but it isn't easy either,but the upgrades and unlockables make this game so fun.    … Expand
  6. DotakuReview101
    Aug 23, 2020
    8
    Before I get into the...story and gameplay let me tell you this game looks great. If you love stylish pixel art then you will adore thisBefore I get into the...story and gameplay let me tell you this game looks great. If you love stylish pixel art then you will adore this game's visuals because it has plenty of that goin on.Seriously I'm not always the biggest fan of pixel art, I don’t dislike it I just don’t prefer it and I loved the pixel art on display here. One of the best out there as far as I’m concerned.

    When it comes to the story honestly I don’t really know what the plot is supposed to be and I don’t really have the motivation to dive deep into the lore like I do the Dark Souls series. That said from what I can tell from the bits of lore I did find, the Island is engulfed by something called The Malaise that twists its inhabitants and seems to be the reason our protag is now trapped in a seemingly endless loop of death. That could be totally off base but it’s what I could gather, either way the lore does allow for a darkly fun world to explore so I’d say it doesn’t really matter. The lore is there if you care to dig deep into it.

    Now gameplay wise, like I said some have called it a soulslike and there are some aspects where I suppose that is sort of true. It has very difficult combat revolving around a dodge mechanic, it has healing flasks, you can regain health from hitting enemies like in Bloodborne, ext so yeah if you are a Soulsborne fan there is definitely some familiar stuff here that said unlike Soulsborne this game at its core is a punishing Roguelite with constant dying and restarting from the beginning alongside randomized level layouts and enemy placements.
    You gradually obtain permanent unlocks like new mutations that give certain benefits for that specific run and more healing flasks so there is that at least. About the only thing I really really didn’t like was getting dizzy from falling from too high a height, I found that more annoying than anything.

    Personally I don’t usually enjoy these kinds of games, I don’t mind dying and being sent back a bit in games like Dark Souls but I just don’t enjoy constantly being sent back to the very beginning. That said there are exceptions to the rule like Rogue Legend and honestly Dead Cells. Yeah I actually found myself quite enjoying this one. Maybe it was the tight combat, the beautifully creepy aesthetic, the Soulslike mechanics or all of the above but I legit had a good time with this one and even found myself being slightly addicted. I have decided against number rankings from this point on because I feel they are just a little too...played out and I also don’t really love them. So instead I decided on this grading system for games ranging from Instant Classic to as low as avoid at all costs. That said I will put this game firmly in the recommended category. I wouldn’t call it a must play as it has a lot of niche aspects but it’s definitely worth trying if you are even remotely curious.    … Expand
  7. zencube
    Nov 9, 2018
    7
    The gameplay itself is absolute great and highly addictive but does not compensate the massive lack of variety itself. There are only 4 bossesThe gameplay itself is absolute great and highly addictive but does not compensate the massive lack of variety itself. There are only 4 bosses to fight and even you've got tons of weapons and stuff to slowly unlock, it just doesn't evaluate the time you'll spend playing. My strongest complain is the final boss, as it's way to hard to beat compared to the levels you run through before the final fight. And I personally HATE it, when I manage to complete all stages and finally having an A-Hole 5 times harder then the rest of the game! So, you play around one or two hours, just enter this final idiot and get kicked back to the beginning within a few seconds.

    Dear developer! Do you really expect your players to invest at least one hour of doing all those levels again and again, just to get fckd up by a boss within seconds, not even able to learn all the moves this thing does?! I finally ended up killing the game just after I died, so I could enter this boss fight right after starting the game again. And it took me many many attempts to kick his ass - if I would add an extra hour to every attempt, dudes, you certainly should consider changing something in your design! This unbalanced boss-fight(s) and also some random encounters who will kill you in just a few seconds are totally frustrating and imagine a dark souls, where you have to start allover at the FIRST bonfire....

    Maybe they'll add more content, and tweak some of the mechanics as well. For me, I'm done with the game as there's nothing left but browsing through the levels and being totally frustrated by the last boss - to complete the run! I did beat him twice, but it's just way too much time being wasted...    … Expand
  8. samside
    Jul 19, 2020
    0
    Awful game and community. Do not recommend to anyone. There are many better rouge lite games out there. This is just poor man's dark souls

See all 57 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best PS4 Game of 2018
50
#50 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2018
41
#41 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2018