Lifeless Cells: Return to Castlevania on PC
I do know it’s cliched to name one thing “the present that retains on giving”, however there really is not any different approach to describe Lifeless Cells. The sport initially launched through Steam Early Entry in 2017 earlier than getting its full launch in 2018, and since then, creating studio Movement Twin has been pumping out new content material and updates for it continuous. We’ve gotten a number of new biomes, together with loads of different small crossover updates with well-liked IPs like Skul, Shovel Knight, Hole Knight, and Hyper Mild Drifter. These smaller content material updates have been good, however Lifeless Cells’ newest add-on is its most enjoyable one but.
From day one, it’s been clear that Dead Cells was closely impressed by the Castlevania sequence. Whereas it’s a rogue-lite at its core, it additionally incorporates numerous Metroidvania parts into its gameplay loop. They arrive within the type of little parts just like the sluggish reveal of the sprawling map as you discover a stage, the carnivorous meat food regimen that serves as your therapeutic objects, and naturally, studying new everlasting skills that allow you to entry beforehand closed off areas in a biome.
With that in thoughts, Lifeless Cells’ new Return to Castlevania add-on looks like the final word love letter to its major supply of inspiration. With a handful of latest ranges and weapons, cameos by Simon, Richter, and Alucard, and a rearranged soundtrack, Return to Castlevania is peak Lifeless Cells. Whilst somebody who’s by no means a lot as touched a Castlevania sport (does Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night time rely? No? I’ll see myself out then), I discovered myself swept away by all of the love and care that’s gone into making this little enlargement.
The excellent news is, even when that is your first foray into Lifeless Cells, the Return to Castlevania content material is out there proper from the very begin. Out of your third run onward, you’ll have the ability to entry the Citadel’s Outskirts biome from the Prisoner’s Quarters, so there’s no want to fret about having to acquire all skills earlier than you’re ready to take a look at the brand new stuff.
Problem-wise, as an ex-Lifeless Cells addict who hasn’t touched the sport in virtually three years, I discovered the brand new content material to be pretty accessible. Apart from a number of situations the place you’ll want to have the ability to acknowledge hidden pathways you could roll into, or understanding how door switches work, the enemies themselves had been fairly manageable within the first couple of biomes. I’d began a totally contemporary run to tackle Return to Castlevania, and was capable of beat it earlier than I’d even unlocked all obtainable well being flasks.
This isn’t to say that there’s no problem for extra skilled gamers in fact. All all through the brand new ranges, you’ll discover numerous cell doorways and different hidden routes that may solely be accessed after you’ve cleared the sport at the very least as soon as, and have obtained all skills. I’ve but to beat the Hand of the King on this file so I can’t converse to the extent of issue that awaits you behind these cell doorways, but when Movement Twin’s observe file is something to go by, you possibly can anticipate an excellent problem to maintain you occupied for some time.
Previous that, there are fairly a number of new outfits and blueprints to unlock. The Bible and Cross have been added to Lifeless Cells’ already ridiculously expansive repertoire, providing up much more variance in your runs should you’ve been in search of an excuse to come back again to the island. The bosses themselves are additionally a sight to behold; I received’t spoil an excessive amount of right here, however the first encounter with one of many DLC bosses is nothing in need of an thrilling and epic affair. It’s each mechanically difficult and satisfying, and rapidly turns into an extremely enjoyable battle when you’ve discovered its patterns and are capable of undertake totally different methods to take it down every time.
Castlevania followers will certainly discover a lot to like right here as properly, as there are such a lot of little easter eggs and callbacks to the sequence to find. As a Castlevania plebeian myself, I particularly loved having to determine a approach to decrease the drawbridge to Dracula’s citadel and recognizing the carriage that Richter rode and ended up crashing in Rondo of Blood. And talking of Richter: Return to Castlevania even presents up a brand new approach to expertise Lifeless Cells by letting you play because the vampire hunter himself. Offered you possibly can work out the best way to entry it, in fact.
Then there’s the soundtrack, which brings again loads of iconic musical themes from Castlevania and reimagines them in that signature Lifeless Cells model. Once more, I’m the newbie-est of newbies in the case of Castlevania, and even I couldn’t assist however be impressed by simply how a lot content material has been stuffed into this little add-on, in addition to how detailed every part is. If something, I discover myself champing on the bit, hoping for Movement Twin to do extra fleshed-out crossover add-ons like these with different IPs. When’s that Hades crossover gonna occur, Movement Twin? There’s a lot potential right here. Make it occur!
Return to Castlevania is, arms down, Lifeless Cells’ finest enlargement but, and it’s not even shut. This isn’t to say that its earlier add-ons have been lackluster, as each replace to the sport has solely served to assist flesh it out even additional. Lifeless Cells continues to be one of many easiest rogue-lite video games which have launched prior to now decade, and this simply additional cements its place as an impressive entry within the saturated style.
Reviewer: Zhiqing Wan | Award: Editor’s Alternative | Copy offered by Writer.
Professionals
- The brand new ranges and managers are simply accessible for newbies, however nonetheless difficult sufficient for veterans.
- The remixed soundtrack is superior.
- Fairly a number of new blueprints to assist maintain your runs contemporary.
- Richter Mode. Sufficient stated.
Cons
- The bosses are a bit tougher than those you’d get in a ‘regular’ run, which may make it a bit newbie-unfriendly, however I’m nitpicking at this level.
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