Dead Cells review (PS5)

Motion Twin’s acclaimed indie game, Dead Cells, has made its way to the PlayStation 5, bringing with it a host of enhancements and exciting new features. As the hit title surpasses 10 million sales, the PS5 version aims to captivate players with its immersive gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and a gripping premise. With the addition a host of post-launch DLC (like Return to Castlevania expansion), offers a thrilling experience that’s every bit as exciting on the latest generation of consoles.

In Dead Cells, players assume the role of a failed alchemical experiment, a glob of sentient gloop, driven to escape from an ancient and corrupted prison. Each life is a new corpse, resurrected in the depths of the prison, and the journey continues until death inevitably claims the body. The absence of checkpoints adds a sense of urgency and challenge, demanding players to complete the campaign without succumbing to defeat – resulting in a roguelike-Metroidvania gameplay experience.

The gameplay mechanics of Dead Cells blends elements from different genres, resulting in an highly challenging experience where you’re armed with an arsenal of ranged and melee weapons, traps, turrets, and buffs. Players must navigate through randomly generated levels, learning enemy patterns and refining their strategies to progress. Mastering the “panic roll,” a well-timed evasion move with invincibility frames, is a key element to success that might take a while to learn and perfect.

The PS5 version of Dead Cells introduces exclusive features that utilize the DualSense controller’s capabilities. Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enhance the immersion, providing players with a tangible connection to the in-game world. The DualSense controller pushes back when attempting to use an item on cooldown, offering a smart assist that encourages adapting strategies to overcome adversaries. Additionally, the controller’s lights and sound effects contribute to the atmospheric ambiance, further immersing players in the hauntingly beautiful world of Dead Cells – especially when playing in dim lighting settings.

Visually, Dead Cells’ pixel-art aesthetic has aged very well, with vibrant colors and fluid animations that breathe life into the diverse environments, ensuring each stage looks unique. Accompanying the striking visuals is a captivating soundtrack that perfectly complements the game’s grim yet enchanting atmosphere.

While Dead Cells excels in its addictive and challenging gameplay loop, players looking for a more narrative-driven angle may find that aspect a bit lacking. The game draws inspiration from titles like Bloodborne and Dark Souls, offering fragments of backstory and lore through scattered texts. As such, the storytelling relies more on implicit cues and player interpretation, leaving the narrative somewhat open to personal interpretation – which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

All of the post-launch content that was developed for Dead Cells is also available on the PS5, including the Return to Castlevania DLC. This expands the game world by seamlessly integrating a new campaign into the existing structure, and Castlevania fans will love the Gothic-inspired atmosphere, enemy designs, and themed weapons. It also introduces new traps and enemies, and reimagined versions of Castlevania tunes. Dead Cells was excellent at launch, but the wealth of DLC only makes it better.

Dead Cells on PS5 offers an extraordinary gaming experience that showcases the best of the rogue-like and Metroidvania genres. The addictive gameplay, stunning visuals, and immersive enhancements on the PS5 don’t dramatically change the game but make for subtle improvements. If you haven’t had a chance this play this one, this is a perfect opportunity to start trying for that perfect playthrough.

Score: 9.0/10