https://youtu.be/Q1ZGq1mk1KM
DEAD CELLS is a platformer with randomized levels.
It isn't a metroidvania. The levels have branches off the main path, but there's no backtracking. There are a bunch of weapons and so far they all have a really satisfying heft to them. Comparisons to Dark Souls are kinda inevitable, with the whole "dropping your resources when you die" bit, but you can't just run to your body to recover them.
I'll post some more thoughts once I get some more time under my belt, but there is a lot of meat on these bones.
Posts
Here's a few more things I've noticed that are non-obvious:
It is actually pretty clever what they do with bows. Every arrow you shoot, you get back. If you miss and hit a wall, it comes right back, if you hit an enemy, you don't get it back until they die. So if you spread the damage around, you need to clean up with another weapon... and it also means that you can't just sit back and fight a boss at range. The trade off is that they can make ranged weapons pretty strong, and you never have to worry about conserving ammo. It ends up being a good balance.
Also, I'm pretty sure you have to spend all your cells at the merchant before you can move on.
If you're reviewing it, the game should be complete. If the game is fully complete (as in there is an ending) and the game is 95% all there, then why are the devs leaving it in early access?
Steam: TheArcadeBear
I'll grab it when it's done, for sure.
The roll has to be one of my favorite dodge mechanics. It feels really well timed with later enemy attacks.
Hearthstone - Webber #1330
3DS: 0920-3235-4071
I got a pickup during a run today - I don't remember if it was an amulet or weapon - but it dropped a bomb whenever I rolled. It had fantastic synergy with my other items. I had the daggers that deal more damage from behind, so I'd freeze an enemy with ice grenades, roll behind them, and start stabbing. A lot of the time the bomb would just blow them right up. Made it all the way to the Ramparts that time.
Hearthstone - Webber #1330
3DS: 0920-3235-4071
The electric whip is pretty good has some serious distance. Ice bombs are handy and the shields are pretty good, just unlocked the shield that when you parry it gives you a force shield for a couple of secs.
Managed to get to the Ossuary and it's a lot harder than the ramparts for sure. Be good to see the full game when done if I have any complaints is the enemies need more variety.
It's not even that items are too good, the weapons just suck, especially in later levels when everything hits like a god damn truck and basic zombies can one shot you with a leap attack. Especially when you get hordes of them that prevent you from unleashing a full melee combo because you'll need to be constantly leaping and dodging to avoid the inevitable damage you'll take if you DON'T dodge and jump like a maniac. Items let me avoid doing most of that and unload their damage upfront in bursts, leaving me free to fuck off to a ledge where the enemies can't attack me and I can either cheese them to death or just wait out the cooldowns.
This was at a bar called EXP in Vancouver. It's kind of a dark hole-in-the-wall where the drinks are nerdy (I had a Nuka Cola Quantum). There are two other bars like it in Vancouver called the Stormcrow, but they're a little more fantasy-themed.
Also shout outs to Old Sewers, which wouldn't be that bad except for those god damn spike fungis which makes the place a nightmare.
yeah, elite mobs are bullshit, especially since the rewards you get for fighting them are not nearly worth the effort, and later levels pretty much demand a lot of cheese to effectively get through. It's not terribly excellent in that regard.
Still a lot of fun though, and early access and all that.
I got to that thing once and it one-shotted me. No fucking clue.
Roll, two hits, roll, two hits, roll, and final two hits.
Or cheese them with a good ranged weapon.
If you jump slam them, they get stunned too.
Hearthstone - Webber #1330
3DS: 0920-3235-4071
Also, if you guys want to keep the devs iterating, I suggest you send in suggestions/criticism to give them some direction. There's also a chance they've already addressed your concern and it'll be fixed in a later build.
I looked at the suggestion forum and it's all full of stupid-ass nonsense like "god moves and limit breaks"
which admittedly put me off from engaging in that community
I got all the way to the Black Bridge with Meat Grinder IV and Grenade II, and only level 2 skills.
In particular, Meat Grinder is the cure for those Mushrooms in the sewers.
Made it through a bundle of levels, electric whip, blood shield, meat grinder and biters. Dps stacking combo.
Any one looking to make some decent money I would recommend going promenades>ramparts>bridge
Blocking is great and just as handy rolling. Blood shield was stacking bleed per parry on every enemy on screen.
Electric whip + damage buff spell is probably the best combo right now. Damage buff is a flat increase, not percentage, so a super high speed long range weapon like the electric whip just melts things with it
PSN: Robo_Wizard1
Really enjoying this game and looking forward to what they add to it.
High five, I just did (almost) the same.
I died to an Elite version of one of those axe-throwing guys.
I really don't think the Elites need immortal minions on top of their increased health and damage.
I unlocked 'random melee weapon to start'. It's great, except the game thinks the regular whip is a melee weapon? The regular whip is okay, but it's really tough to use as a primary weapon.
I do wish you had a few bans or something you could use. Frost blast suuuuucks and it's always disappointing to see it pop out of chests.