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 actually is not any different option to describe Lifeless Cells. The sport initially launched by way of Steam Early Entry in 2017 earlier than getting its full launch in 2018, and since then, growing 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 fashionable 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 fun one but.
From day one, it’s been clear that Lifeless 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 degree, the carnivorous meat food regimen that serves as your therapeutic gadgets, 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 appears like the final word love letter to its most important 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 growth.
The excellent news is, even when that is your first foray into Lifeless Cells, the Return to Castlevania content material is offered proper from the very begin. Out of your third run onward, you’ll be capable to entry the Fortress’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.
Issue-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. Except for a couple of situations the place you’ll want to have the ability to acknowledge hidden pathways that you could roll into, or understanding how door switches work, the enemies themselves have been fairly manageable within the first couple of biomes. I’d began a totally contemporary run to tackle Return to Castlevania, and was in a position to beat it earlier than I’d even unlocked all out there well being flasks.
This isn’t to say that there’s no problem for extra skilled gamers after all. 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 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 communicate to the extent of problem that awaits you behind these cell doorways, but when Movement Twin’s observe document is something to go by, you possibly can anticipate a very good problem to maintain you occupied for some time.
Previous that, there are fairly a couple 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 in the event you’ve been on the lookout for an excuse to return 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 in a position to undertake completely different methods to take it down every time.
Castlevania followers will certainly discover lots 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 option 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 provides up a brand new option to expertise Lifeless Cells by letting you play because the vampire hunter himself. Supplied you possibly can determine the best way to entry it, after all.
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 on the subject 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 all the things 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, palms down, Lifeless Cells’ finest growth 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 Selection | Copy offered by Writer.
Execs
- The brand new ranges and executives are simply accessible for newbies, however nonetheless difficult sufficient for veterans.
- The remixed soundtrack is superior.
- Fairly a couple of new blueprints to assist preserve your runs contemporary.
- Richter Mode. Sufficient mentioned.
Cons
- The bosses are a bit more difficult than those you’d get in a ‘regular’ run, which may make it a bit newbie-unfriendly, however I’m nitpicking at this level.
Launch Date
March 6
Developer
Movement Twin
Writer
Movement Twin
Consoles
PS4, Xbox One, Change, PC