Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a side-scrolling adventure game that offers players a wealth of action-packed two-dimensional environments to overcome. In this gothic roguelike title, players will have to face hordes of supernatural minions before they can defeat the ominous Dracula boss.

Similar to other modern iterations, such as Castlevania Anniversary Collection, this action game from Motion Twin intends to pay homage to the incredibly popular Castlevania series. Thus, many of the graphics offer a decidedly retro flavor that’s reminiscent of your classic arcade games, however, with a more modern twist.

A rogue-like experience with classic gameplay

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania provides a much more immersive storyline than the plot associated with the original platform. The player must join forces with a mysterious warrior named Richter, who has invited you to join forces with him with the promise of loot and treasures. After being tempted by the promise of riches, the two set out on a quest to defeat the dark lord, Dracula. Take note, though, that the gameplay can be unnecessarily difficult, especially for newer players.

Those who enjoy the original Castlevania game will be pleased to learn that many of the classic weapons have been added to this game. Examples of the 14 available weapons include a throwing ax, holy water, and a gun known as the "vampire killer." Note that all of the aforementioned weapons have been adapted in order to satisfy the fast-paced combat associated with this modernized retelling.

An iconic soundtrack

The developers of Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania have decided to include all 51 songs from the original Castlevania soundtrack for fans of the franchise to enjoy as they immerse themselves in the nostalgic feeling of playing their favorite game. However, it is also possible to access updated versions of 12 of the most popular tracks among the large list of songs. This can be adjusted within the settings menu.

A wealth of new additions

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania represents a combination of classic Castlevania and the well-known Dead Cells franchise. Therefore, players are provided with an entirely new storyline alongside customization options, such as 20 different character outfits and a total of three boss fights. Therefore, it should appeal to a wide range of audiences. Some of the available characters include:

• Alucard
• Richter Belmont
• Simon Belmont
• Maria Renard
• Trevor Belmont
• Sypha Belnades
• and even Dracula

Heart-racing adventures ahead

With a wide array of major upgrades from the original Castlevania title, Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania offers much for fans of the franchise to look forward to. Although some aspects of the game — such as the weaponry and soundtrack — have been updated to match modern game expectations, these still provide a classic air to them that allows you to enjoy the game’s original essence. Just prepare for additional challenges in the gameplay.