Breaking barriers with Dead Cells

Dead Cells is a critically acclaimed roguelike that first graced the digital space nearly five years ago and has been ported across multiple systems including mobile, the Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC on Mac and Windows. But it is only now going that next step forward and adding an accessibility update for gamers of all abilities. 

“The intent of this update is to allow players who struggle to, or cannot play, Dead Cells to be able to experience the game as we intended. We had feedback during beta testing that some people who don’t ‘need’ Assist Mode will use it regardless and the result is that they won’t play Dead Cells as a challenging roguelike,” said an Evil Empire spokesperson. “We’ve put multiple messages regarding this in-game, but in the end it’s up to the player how they want to enjoy the game. However, we will not disable achievements for players who use these options. We are not going to make it possible for people to play the game and then take achievements away from them.”

The new Assist Mode includes mobility adjustments to adjust gameplay, visual and UI adjustments, a no-blood mode, and the following highlights:

• Multiple lives – Each time you die you can resurrect from the beginning of the biome, in the same state that you started in. You can choose between 1, 3, 7 or infinite lives. This is targeted for players who have involuntary movements or activity, such as muscle spasms, to have another chance if their run is ruined by something that is out of their control.
• Auto-hit – Automatically target nearby enemies with your primary melee weapon. This will automatically attack with your primary weapon, allowing players to just manage their secondary weapon and skills, reducing the need for rapid inputs.
• Adjustable trap damage, enemy damage and enemy health in % increments, plus toggable options for slower parry window and trap speed. This is meant to allow specific, dare we say delicate, adjustment of the game’s challenge while leaving the rest of the game as it is.
• An option to instantly reveal the whole map for players who struggle with spatial awareness.
  In addition, the “Breaking Barriers” update comes with eight new weapon reworks, and a reduction in early-game item cost to allow players to unlock new weapons more quickly alongside the crucial life & gold upgrades.

The Breaking Barriers update is available across all platforms for Dead Cells.