Dead Cells — Review (2026): Is It Worth Playing?
Dead Cells is a roguelike metroidvania from Motion Twin, released in August 2018 on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch, later on mobile. The game combines Castlevania-style action-platforming with procedural level generation. The protagonist is the "Beheaded," a body reanimated by the "green mass," exploring a cursed island and fighting monsters.
What is the game about
You wake up in a prison on a cursed island. The goal: reach the summit and kill the King. Each run is a new map: castle, graveyard, toxic sewers, abandoned gardens. Collect weapons, skills, and mutations, kill elite enemies and bosses. Death returns you to the start, but unlocked items remain available. Gradually you unlock new biomes, weapons, and abilities.
Gameplay
- Fast action: attacks, dodges, and parries in the style of Dark Souls, but in 2D and much faster. Responsive controls are a main strength.
- Builds: dozens of weapons (swords, spears, bows, shields) and skills (traps, magic) with unique synergies. Each weapon has its own combos and specials.
- Persistent progression: between runs spend cells on upgrades — new weapons, extra flask charges, permanent bonuses.
- DLC: The Bad Seed (new biomes and bosses), Fatal Falls (more locations), The Queen and the Sea (final expansion with a new ending).
- Crossovers: crossovers with Hollow Knight, Blasphemous, and other indie games add unique weapons.
Should you play it in 2026
Yes. Dead Cells is one of the best action roguelikes of the decade: responsive controls, tons of content, and high difficulty. Each run takes 20–40 minutes, perfect for short sessions. With DLC the game becomes a huge adventure for hundreds of hours.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect controls and responsiveness | Very hard, many runs end in death |
| Tons of content with DLC | Pixel art isn't for everyone |
| Quick runs | Cell grind can tire |
| Crossovers with other games | No co-op |
FAQ
Do I need to play previous games? No, Dead Cells is standalone.
How many hours? 30–50 hours to first victory, hundreds for full mastery.
On mobile? Yes, iOS and Android with adapted controls.