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Dead Cells

Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Motion Twin
Release Date: Aug. 7, 2018

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'Dead Cells' (ALL) Sells 3 Million Copies, Rolls Out Update 19

by Rainier on July 1, 2020 @ 2:07 p.m. PDT

Dead Cells is a roguelike, Castlevania-inspired action-platformer, allowing you to explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle… assuming you're able to fight your way past its keepers.

To beat the game you’ll have to master 2D souls-like combat with the ever present threat of permadeath looming. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat.

Roguelike, Rogue-lite, roguelike-like, rogueschmike! The world needs more of these and we'd like to present for your consideration, the RogueVANIA. This means an interconnected world that you unlock progressively through exploration and battling bosses, with death replacing backtracking. Each death will unlock more of the world and you’ll begin to understand the scale of the choices in front of you. Sick of the stinking sewers? Why not go over the ramparts? It’s your skill, playstyle and of course the loot you find that will determine your choice your path.

But don’t think this will be a walk in the park. Pattern based monsters, and demanding boss fights will force you to fight cautiously and build your strength. Every weapon has its own unique feel and rolling and dodging will become second nature as you learn to manage the mobs of monsters that will overwhelm the unprepared. Tough, but fair.

Tired of the violence and death? Explore a bit, take a stroll, enjoy the view from the ramparts, find a secret room. Thomas and Gwen, our graphic artists, never miss an opportunity to impress with their pixelart and shape a world that you’ll want to explore. You might even learn a little more about the lore of the place, who knows?

Motion Twin and Evil Empire announced that Dead Cells has sold 3 million copies over the course of its lifetime since hitting early access on Steam in 2017 and that the title has received its 19th major update today, which is available now for PC with console planned for release in the coming weeks.

Update 19 makes a lot (no, a lot) of smaller changes to the game, including sweeping changes to items and weapons - many of which were completely reworked, nerfed or boosted.

Examples of these small but meaningful changes include alterations to crossbows, which are now two-handed weapons (duh) and ‘Survival’ only, giving players two separate attacks and a generous health pool. There’s also a backpack that lets you hold a weapon (sorry, you can’t use it if it’s in the backpack) while you wield a two-handed weapon, making sure you’re never punished for switching back to a dual weapon build.

Additionally, the in-game economy and merchants got a makeover with the removal of gold-scaling (gear price will now go up with item level), prices have changed on a variety of items, and there are various changes to refining and affix rerolling costs. Shop categories are now color-based instead of being based on equipment type and you now get a shop reroll for free, however, it makes items on sale pricier so do with that what you will.

The other more notable changes include scrolls being removed from ++ and S weapons, but to compensate more scrolls have been added to the early biomes (heyoooo make it rain!), enemy damage has been reduced, and gear damage has been increased. #balance

Also, for fans who lovingly encountered unrelenting death in 2BC (two Boss Cells), the new update has smoothed out difficulty progression - 0BC (zero Boss Cells), for example, has been made more challenging in order to teach new players more of the moves and give them time to collect more gear/runes before progressing, but the difficulty curve in general has also been adjusted from 0-5BC so difficulty spikes should be (should be) less of a problem.

Key Features:

  • RogueVania: The progressive exploration of an interconnected world, with the replayability of a roguelike and the adrenaline pumping threat of permadeath.
  • Souls-like combat: Pattern-based bosses and minions, weapons and spells with unique gameplay. Make do with what you have and don’t forget to roll.
  • Nonlinear progression: Unlock new levels with every death and explore undiscovered parts of the castle as you prepare for the inevitable bosses.
  • Exploration: Secret rooms, hidden passages, charming landscapes. Death is now your way of backtracking.

Dead Cells is currently available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One and PC for $/€24.99.


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