Dead Cells
Action
Adventure
Indie
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
Steam Trading Cards
Steam Workshop
Steam Cloud
Remote Play on Phone
Remote Play on Tablet
Remote Play on TV
Family Sharing

Dead Cells is a roguelite, metroidvania inspired, action-platformer. You'll explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle... assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers in 2D souls-lite combat. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat.

Developers: Motion Twin
Publishers: Motion Twin
Release Date: Aug 6, 2018
Price (USD): $24.99
Current Players: 2k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Overwhelmingly Positive(96%)
fast-paced combat
replayability
weapon variety
pixel art
addictive gameplay
procedural generation
learning curve
challenge
difficulty
DLC integration
technical issues
repetition
The general sentiment among reviewers is highly positive, with many players expressing enthusiasm for the game's combat and replayability. The aesthetic design and varied gameplay mechanics receive notable praise, although some players find the difficulty and DLC integration frustrating. There are feelings about the procedural level design, which can lead to both dynamic experiences and eventual repetition. Overall, Dead Cells is celebrated as one of the top roguelikes of its kind.

Positive Points

  • Dead Cells is praised for its fluid and fast-paced combat mechanics that make it incredibly enjoyable and addictive.
  • The game offers a vast variety of weapons and builds, allowing players to experiment with different play styles, which keeps the gameplay diverse and fresh.
  • The pixel art graphics are frequently highlighted for being beautiful and atmospheric, contributing to the overall immersive experience.
  • Many reviewers appreciate the game's replayability, noting that each run feels unique due to procedural generation and the randomness of items and enemies.
  • Negative Points

  • Some players find the game's difficulty to be too punishing, leading to frustration, especially without safeguards like checkpoints or more accessible progression options.
  • There are complaints about the aggressive integration of DLC content, which can interrupt flow by showing inaccessible areas that require additional purchase.
  • A few users noted technical issues, such as crashes or bugs, that detracted from their experience, especially on specific hardware configurations.
  • Mixed Points

  • While some players love the challenge and learning curve, others feel the game is overwhelming and hard to master without prior experience.
  • The procedural generation of the levels is seen as both a positive aspect for variety and a negative for causing repetition and predictability after several runs.
  • Common Themes

  • Repeated themes in reviews include the game's addictive nature, its rewarding combat system, and the player's desire to keep improving after each run.
  • There is a significant appreciation for the homage Dead Cells pays to other games, such as Castlevania and Hollow Knight, through its references and gameplay elements.
  • A recurring theme is the comparison of Dead Cells to other roguelikes, with many users placing it among the best in the genre, often highlighted alongside games like Hades.
  • Updated 7/18/2025, 12:01:22 AM UTC