Dead Cells
News, coverage and analysis tracking Dead Cells across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Nintendo’s Indie World Presentation Was Pretty Packed For A Short Show
Nintendo's latest Indie World Showcase featured several notable upcoming titles, including the action-adventure game Winds of Viridia, inspired by Breath of the Wild, and the retro pixel art action-puzzle platformer City of None. The presentation also highlighted Threads of Time, a JRPG with Chrono Trigger influences. New Switch and Switch 2 release windows were provided for these and other indie games.
Tenjutsu, the New Roguelike From Dead Cells’ Former Director, Launches in 2027
Tenjutsu, a 2D pixel brawler from former Dead Cells director Sébastien Benard, has received a new trailer and a 2027 release window for PC and Nintendo Switch 2. The game features protagonist Ten, a former Yakuza, fighting through Kuroboro City with randomized skills and unlockable benefits. Motion Twin, the studio behind Dead Cells, also recently released Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse and is working on Windblown.
"Developers need to treat Early Access like a real launch, because players do" – Early Access games are on the rise, but so are player expectations
The article discusses the increasing trend of games launching in Early Access on Steam, noting a significant rise in titles and player expectations. Developers like those behind Valheim, Subnautica, and Hades have found success with the model, but others like Deadhaus Sonata have faced backlash due to unmet quality standards. The piece highlights the challenges smaller developers face against larger publishers and emphasizes the need for transparency and a clear vision when using Early Access.
I keep embarrassing myself in front of the nature gods in handpainted 2D roguelike Talaka, whose colourful, combative demo is out now
The handpainted 2D action-roguelike Talaka, which draws heavily from Brazilian culture and mythology, has released a demo during Steam Next Fest. While the author admits to struggling with its combat and floaty platforming, the game's vibrant art style and unique folklore exploration make it a title to watch.
Nintendo Switch eShop latest sales: lowest prices ever for Bear and Breakfast, Borderlands, Hypercharge Unboxed, more
The North American Nintendo Switch eShop is currently featuring significant sales on a wide variety of games, including some at their lowest prices ever. Notable titles on discount include Bear and Breakfast, Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition, and Hypercharge Unboxed, among many others listed.
Evil Empire "will always miss Dead Cells," but it's already working on its dream collab
Evil Empire's CEO Thomas Pfeiffer and Head of Business Ben Laulan reflect on their studio's origins supporting Dead Cells and discuss future projects. While they express nostalgia for Dead Cells, they are excited about their current work on The Rogue Prince of Persia, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, and a secret dream collaboration they are already developing.
"Thank you, Hades" - Evil Empire on indie game discovery, how Steam early access has changed, and the rise of AI tools
Evil Empire's CEO Thomas Pfeiffer and Head of Business Ben Laulan discuss the studio's growth from supporting Dead Cells to developing Castlevania: Belmont's Curse and The Rogue Prince of Persia. They highlight the success of their Triple-i Initiative for indie game discovery and share insights on collaborations with larger publishers. The pair also express concerns about the impact of AI on the creative process and the meaning of game development.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Went Through a Slower Dark Souls-Style Iteration During Development
Evil Empire's Ben Laulan revealed that Castlevania: Belmont's Curse underwent several development iterations, including a slower, Dark Souls-inspired version and one too similar to Dead Cells. The final game strikes a balance between respecting the Castlevania IP and modern gameplay. The title is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Castlevania Belmont's Curse once had a Dark Souls "vibe," but it was "too slow, too intense, and…
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse initially experimented with a slower, more intense 'Dark Souls' combat style, but developer Evil Empire found it didn't fit the Castlevania identity. The game was then sped up, leading to comparisons with Dead Cells, before settling on its current fast-paced action. The article praises Evil Empire's commitment to a distinct Castlevania feel, noting the game has received critical acclaim.
Castlevania Belmont's Curse swung between Dark Souls and Dead Cells to find the form that "feels good in your hands"
Evil Empire's Castlevania: Belmont's Curse aims to blend the exploration of Castlevania with the modern feel of games like Dead Cells and Dark Souls. Developers Thomas Pfeiffeir and Ben Laulan discussed the iterative process of finding the right gameplay balance, emphasizing creative control and player expectations. The game has launched on PC with strong initial player counts.
I want to love the new Castlevania, but it just feels a little off
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse offers a fun experience with clever platforming and a gorgeous tarot card presentation, but suffers from a lack of polish and some frustrating control quirks. Developer Evil Empire, known for Dead Cells, seems to have struggled to imbue this new Castlevania with the expected 'juice,' leading to controls that don't quite gel and a less satisfying feel than anticipated.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Is a Worthy Heir to its Legacy
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse marks a triumphant return for the series, blending the best of modern Metroidvania design with the franchise's iconic gothic atmosphere. Developed by KONAMI in partnership with Evil Empire and Motion Twin, the game features satisfying combat, a deep spell system, and a compelling narrative centered on Rose Belmont. It is available on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse review - a fantastic action game, a less than stellar Metroidvania
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a new action game from Evil Empire and Motion Twin that offers stunning visuals and fluid combat, particularly with its unique whip-hook mechanic. However, the game struggles to balance its engaging action elements with its Metroidvania aspirations, leading to frustrating design choices and a feeling of internal conflict.
Recension – Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a strong return to the Metroidvania genre for the series, offering 20 hours of engaging gameplay. Developed by Evil Empire and Motion Twin, it features a vibrant art style inspired by the Netflix series, a dynamic soundtrack, and fluid combat mechanics. The game excels with its whip-based traversal and combat, rewarding exploration with new abilities and weapons, though finding the final secrets can be challenging.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse review: Welcome back, Drac
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a highly acclaimed action-platformer that serves as a love letter to the franchise's lore and fans. Developed by Motion Twin and Evil Empire with Konami's support, the game features beautiful art, a compelling story with new characters like Rose Belmont, and deep gameplay systems. It is set to release on October 15, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse – 15 Things To Know Before You Jump In
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, developed by Evil Empire, introduces Rose Belmont as the new protagonist investigating a resurrected Dracula in 1499 Paris. The game features a revamped whip mechanic for traversal and combat, seven weapon categories with unique perks, and an Arcana system where defeated bosses grant new abilities. The game promises a challenging yet fair experience with non-linear exploration and difficulty modifiers, and a demo is available with save data carrying over to the full release on October 15th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Nintendo Switch eShop latest sales: lowest prices ever for Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, Rift of the NecroDancer, more
The North American Nintendo Switch eShop is currently featuring significant sales on a wide variety of games, including some at their lowest prices ever. Notable titles on discount include Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, Crypt of the NecroDancer, Hogwarts Legacy, and many more, with prices slashed across numerous genres.
Konami teases that Belmont’s Curse won’t be the end for Castlevania
Konami has teased future plans for the Castlevania franchise beyond the upcoming release of Castlevania: Belmont's Curse. Producer Tsutomu Taniguchi indicated that the company wants to avoid long gaps between titles to maintain momentum and player engagement. The game is set to release on Nintendo Switch on October 15, 2026.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Has Its Fangs In Me Already, And Fangfully, There’s A Pre-Order Discount
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, developed by Evil Empire, offers a familiar yet refined Metroidvania experience reminiscent of Dead Cells. Players control Rose Belmont, a vampire hunter in Paris, utilizing a Tarot Card system to wield defeated enemies' skills. The game is available for pre-order at a discount on Steam, including a bonus Alucard Style Costume.
The 12 most exciting video game releases of October 2026
October 2026 is set to feature a diverse lineup of video game releases, including Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and Gears Of War: E-Day. Other notable titles include Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, and Final Fantasy Resonance, which marks a return to turn-based combat. Microsoft is also releasing an Xbox and PC exclusive, while Nintendo is launching Nintendo Switch Sports Resort.
