Dead Cells: Adventures of the Headless Horseman

Roguelite type games believe that many players are not unfamiliar, many dungeon games are using Roguelite type.

For example, the popular Combination of Isaac series is a traditional Roguelite type of game.

The main features of the Roguelite type are as follows:

1. Randomness:

Level maps generate randomness, item weapons generate randomness.

2. Persistence of game data:

Certain items unlocked in the game will not be affected by the death reset.

3. Non-linear game flow:

Due to the randomness of the level generation, the game gives the player a high degree of freedom, the player can use different items to explore the level map, and can play a variety of tricks.

However, compared to Roguelikes, the Roguelite genre weakens the punishment mechanism and reduces the difficulty of the game, so that the player does not go to the fate of destruction over and over again. It also makes the game easy to play.

A game brought today is a Roguelite type game.

We all know that Metroid is a horizontal adventure game on the FC platform, high degree of freedom 2D sandtable map, equipment, items and ability upgrades and other RPG elements. Regarded as a classic by players.

Needless to say, "Castlevania" is also a classic adventure game in the eyes of players, using the 2D style of horizontal scrolling, showing the appearance of medieval castle architecture.

Today's Dead Cell is a combination of the two, with 2D scroll architecture, equipment upgrades, and of course, the addition of Roguelite elements.

In the official setting, Dead Cells was defined as a Roguelite+ Metroidvania mixed with Roguelike features, and called Rogue Galaxy City (RogueVANIA).

The player takes on the role of a prisoner, initially a decapitated corpse, who is then brought back to life by the erosion of green matter that falls out of the pipe. And began a battle journey.

In the beginning, we will meet a warrior, and when we talk to him, we will tell us that we are immortal, but the meaning of the warrior is that even if we die, we can be reborn.

Screen performance:

The game screen of this game adopts 2D style background setting screen and pixel style character setting. The overall picture performance is OK.

Let me shine is that the special effects of the game performance is very good, after the use of some skills, there will be cool special effects screen, very feel.

Horizontal scrolling scene layout:

Unlike the popular Roguelite games, many Roguelite type games currently use a God perspective, while Dead Cell uses a horizontal scrolling 2D style similar to Metroid Prime and Castlevania, which is rare in Roguelite type games today.

The architecture is unique and covers a wide range of areas.

Cells and Money:

In this game, cells gained in battle can be used as specific weapons and enhanced skill points.

Money is used to buy equipment or open doors. During the game, there will be a shop to buy items, if you have enough money, you can buy items.

▲ Store in the game

When the character dies, all cells and money collected are cleared.

Character ability upgrades:

This game's character ability upgrade system is called "power scroll", in the course of the game will see some items imprisoned by glass containers.

Those are the skill points used to upgrade abilities. In this game, players have three upgrade points: health, weapon damage, and damage that increases active skills.

After using the "Power Scroll", the corresponding ability can be increased by 1 point, and does not consume cells. However, when the character dies, all skills upgraded through the Power Scroll will return to their original state.

Power Scroll - corresponds to three skill points

▲ Special upgrade points

Permanent reinforcement:

As mentioned earlier, Roguelite type games have a partial data persistence feature, in many games if you die, you have to restart the game and lose all the items or points you have earned.

In this game, the game has added a permanent enhancement of weapon abilities. Each time you pass through an area before moving to the next new area, there will be a pre-travel preparation time, let's call it a safe house. There was a man there called the Collector.

▲ Self-proclaimed "Collector"

He will tell us that we can enhance it at his place, and when you use cell enhancement skills, you will have these abilities and weapon attributes forever.

For example, the weapon drawings obtained during the game, after the drawings are brought, the weapon can be strengthened and will not be affected by the death remake.

One chance to refill health and blood bottles in the safe house.  

▲ Blood return vessel

Transfer and climb:

In this game, each map has a transport point, and circular transport points are the most common transport mechanism in the early days. Close to the button to transmit.

Another way to transmit is through items similar to mummy coffins, but if you want to use the second way, you need to unlock the corresponding rune in the game later.

▲ The second mode of transmission

The setting of the transfer point allows the player to shuttle back and forth in each transfer point, and also avoids the lengthy setting of the player repeatedly walking back and forth.

▲ Transfer

Climbing is a skill that is often used in the game, and in Dead Cells, you will see some green plants on the road.

At first, it was not clear what the use of this plant was, but later in the battle to obtain a rune, come back and look at the plant, you can make the plant grow rattan climb up.

▲ Vine runes

▲ It can be climbed

Interestingly, runes acquired in this game will also be a permanent possession, just like weapons drawings.

Treasure Chest system and paid Golden Gate:

Treasure chest system is a major feature of this game, players through the search of treasure chest, can obtain weapons and equipment.

The treasure chest in this work can be divided into two kinds, one is an ordinary treasure chest, which can be opened to obtain weapons and equipment.

The other is a cursed treasure chest, which can be opened for priceless gems and weapons.

▲ Ordinary treasure chest

▲ Cursed Treasure Chest

But it will also be cursed, requiring the player to kill 10 enemies in a row, which can be lifted, and once attacked on the way, it will be a one-hit second kill.

▲ Skull mark - represents the number of kills

The payment Golden gate can be opened by paying a certain amount of money. A weapon is provided, sometimes an upgraded "power scroll". When there is no money, the golden gate can be opened by violent means.

However, as with the cursed treasure chest, you must kill a specified number of enemies and avoid being killed by seconds. However, the difficulty is not simple, the author does not recommend using violence to open the golden door.

Combat System:

The combat system of this game is relatively simple, the game provides a main weapon (knife) in the initial state, and then you can choose a secondary weapon.

The initial system does not provide active skills, which can only be acquired during the game. "Dead Cell" the way of fighting is very similar to the soul series, there is a shield block, and there is a blood source of action strike.

The keyboard operation Settings of the game are very good, the left and right mouse keys can control the attack of the main and secondary weapons, because there is no physical bar limit, players can roll and avoid at will in the battle, there will be a refreshing feeling in the fight.

The variety of weapons and equipment provided in this game is not too much, considering that the game is still in the experience stage, some weapons will be updated in the subsequent version.

Primary and secondary weapons can be divided into melee, long-range, defense three. The system provides two slots each for primary and secondary weapons and skills.

The game is also equipped with a wearable that gives the player additional buffs.

Weapons picked up during the game will replace the current equipment.

Due to the randomness inherited from the Roguelite type, the level map and weapons are random every time you play. These are all things the player needs to explore in the game.

When using some defensive equipment, a certain skill is required. For example, shield, in the shield defense, the game can only be a momentary defense, need to judge a good time. You can't hold your shield for as long as in other games.

Some shields also provide ancillary effects during defense, and will give the enemy ancillary effects damage when successfully defending against enemy attacks. It's very interesting.

The shield can bounce the shells sent by the enemy, but because there is no friendly damage setting, the shells in the past can not cause enemy damage, the effect is not very big.

When firing long-range weapons, there are ammo slots. If you don't fire a shot, you will consume an ammo slot, but it will automatically recover ammo, which is also a good setting.

Counterattack blood return mechanism:

The game's counter-recharge mechanism is similar to the Bloodborne Curse setting, in that when attacked, the Bloodbar will appear a brief yellow damage bar.

In the case that the damage bar is not completely disappeared, counter the enemy, can restore a certain amount of health, and when there are no enemies around, you can attack the wooden door can also return health.

▲ Counterattack return blood

"Dead Cell" as a small game, its own optimization is still OK. The official also indicated that the Intel HD core display was not optimized.

For players who use the kernel to run the game, there are some problems.

For example, in the middle of the serious congestion, sometimes the background music card will disappear. It may also stop running.

It is also hoped that the official can consider adding support for Intel core display in the subsequent version.

The game balance of this game also needs to make some adjustments, for new players, the difficulty is not high, but the later skills need to be carefully studied, otherwise it will be unbearable.

Since Dead Cells is currently in the playable phase, some bugs are inevitable. However, the overall quality of the game is good, and the Chinese quality is also high.

The content of the trial version of the game has not been completed, I believe that when the official version is listed, the production team will bring us more surprises.

Constantly improve the content of the work, add more optional equipment, improve the picture details, will make the quality of the work to a higher level.

Dead Cells is a combination of Roguelite+ Metroidvania and Roguelike features.

A little soul series of combat gameplay, will let you touch can not stop. Players who like this kind of game may wish to experience it.