The Game:
Dead Cells is a 2-D side scroller dungeon crawler with randomly generated levels. This is very much roguelike in every sense of the word with permadeath and unlocks that can make you stronger. Your character holds two main weapons and two skills, which you can temporary buff with scrolls hidden through the level or permanently by sinking cells into them.Enemies can drop cells which are used to power up or unlock new weapons and skills. New weapon and skills unlocks are available when you find the scroll and successfully complete the level. If you die, you lose the weapon scroll along with the souls you have collected. Mobs also drop gold as well which you can use to pay for items from the vendors or open certain doors. The amount of gold retained after death can be upgraded along with the health potions with cells in the safe areas between the level.
The levels are randomly generated but you always go back to the start when you die. The maps are full of vendors, secret areas, and sometimes time locked doors. Elite mobs and cursed treasure chests can also appear on the map. Boss fights are a kind of a gate to the next set of levels and to test your reflexes.
My Thoughts:
I love this game. It's takes everything great about roguelikes and does it with class. The way your character moves and the absolute control you have is not only refreshing but lead to some ego fluffing moments. This game can make you feel like the alpha on steroids.The devs have described their game as souls light but I don't think a Dark Souls game makes you feel as great during the combat as well as when you finish off the baddies. When you die, and you will die a lot, you hardly get the impression like the game cheated you but more that you messed up some how. It's ok though because next time you are a little wiser and you will make it a little further.
The level design is great. Some procedurally generated games will leave you with maps that can be broken or just don't have a flow. This game feels like every level is preset with secret walls, chests, and hidden merchants dotting the map, never feeling out of place. There are also portals int he levels for quick access to areas you have been to. It also lends it self to the casual gamer's speed or the speed runner with bonus rooms for getting to the doors before they are time locked. If this game was a person it would fit in so well wherever it went it would be everyone's best friend (and lover?).
There really isn't a story but you are immediately enveloped in the darkness of the game from the start. Every inch of the dungeons feels great along with a solid soundtrack, a variety of enemies, and some pretty cool weapons and skills that make you feel powerful. There is never a time you feel helpless, just maybe a little unskilled. Especially during secret areas that you enter via a portal. They will lead you to timed challenges where one hit will kick you out. I am not sure what is at the end of these because I have yet to finish one. I am sure they are put there to remind you there is no God and life is meaningless, which you quickly come to realize when you feel near the end only to mistime a jump and land in spikes.
The way weapons are unlocked and leveled also feel fair. It's grindy but it doesn't feel like a chore. It's more a benefit from just playing the game. They even offer you a plethora of stats tracking from an NPC at the start. Just be happy they do not keep track of how many times you swear at the screen or don't be happy if you are proud of your filthy mouth.
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