Summary:
Since its release in 2017, Dead Cells has captivated players with its dynamic gameplay, frequent updates, and collaborations with iconic franchises like Castlevania and Hollow Knight. Now, the developers, Motion Twin and Evil Empire, are preparing to bid farewell to this beloved roguelike with the final major update, Update 35: The End is Near.
This update is packed with new features, including three new mobs that introduce challenging curse mechanics, powerful new weapons, mutations, legendary affixes, and a reworked biome system that offers greater rewards for higher risks. Additionally, the update includes extensive accessibility options, ensuring the game remains enjoyable for a wide range of players. With this update, Dead Cells continues to push the boundaries of roguelike design, providing players with one last thrilling experience before the developers move on to new ventures. In this detailed exploration of Update 35, we will delve into the new content, gameplay changes, and what they mean for the future of Dead Cells. Join us as we uncover the final chapter in the Dead Cells saga, celebrating the culmination of years of innovation and community-driven development.
Update 35: The End Is Near
Update 35: The End is Near marks a significant moment in the history of Dead Cells. As the final major update, it represents both a culmination of years of development and a heartfelt farewell from the developers, Motion Twin and Evil Empire. Since its debut in 2017, Dead Cells has captivated players with its fluid combat, intricate level design, and the relentless challenge that only a roguelike can offer. Over the years, the game has not only maintained a strong player base but has also continuously evolved through numerous updates, collaborations, and expansions.
This update, titled The End is Near, is more than just a collection of new features and tweaks; it is a celebration of the game’s legacy. For many players, Dead Cells has been more than just a game—it has been an experience, a challenge, and a community. The developers’ decision to make this the last major update speaks volumes about the game’s journey and its impact on the gaming world.
New Curse Mechanics and Mobs
Curses have always played a crucial role in Dead Cells, adding layers of difficulty and complexity to the gameplay. From the early days of the game, curses were a mechanic that could turn a successful run into a desperate struggle for survival. Whether it was the cursed chests that offered powerful rewards at the cost of instant death upon taking a single hit or the cursed weapons that demanded flawless execution, curses have been a constant reminder that in Dead Cells, no victory comes without risk.
In Update 35, the curse mechanic has been expanded in new and exciting ways. The introduction of cursed biomes and mobs that specifically interact with curses adds a fresh layer of challenge to the game. Players are now faced with choices that go beyond mere survival; they must decide whether to embrace the risk of curses for the potential rewards or to play it safe and avoid these treacherous new elements.
New Mobs
The new mobs introduced in Update 35 are designed to make the curse mechanic even more integral to the gameplay experience. Each of these mobs brings its own unique twist to how curses are applied and managed, making them formidable opponents in any run.
Sore Loser: This mob might look harmless at first glance, but it is anything but. The Sore Loser doesn’t deal direct damage but instead follows the player persistently, always trying to get close. While it might seem like a minor annoyance, killing a Sore Loser comes with a significant penalty: it curses the player. This mechanic forces players to think carefully about how and when to engage with these enemies, as every kill could bring them closer to a cursed demise.
Doom Bringer: The Doom Bringer is a melee attacker with a deadly twist. Instead of dealing damage, its attacks apply curse stacks and stun the player. The real danger lies in the fact that if the player reaches 50 stacks of curse, they will instantly die. This mob requires players to be on their toes, avoiding its attacks at all costs while managing their curse levels carefully.
Curser: The Curser is perhaps the most insidious of the new mobs. It launches a slow-moving, homing projectile that can pass through walls, making it difficult to avoid. If the player is hit, they not only take damage but also gain 5 stacks of curse. Additionally, getting too close to the Curser results in a staff bonk that can be devastating in the heat of battle. This mob is a constant threat, forcing players to prioritize its elimination or risk a quick and cursed death.
What Are Cursed Biomes?
Cursed biomes are a new addition in Update 35, designed to test the mettle of even the most seasoned Dead Cells players. These biomes are environments where the rules of the game shift significantly, introducing cursed mobs and offering greater rewards for those brave enough to enter. But these rewards come at a steep price—survival is far from guaranteed in these perilous zones.
Cursed biomes only appear in runs where the player has reached a Boss Cell level of 2 or higher. This restriction ensures that only players who have already demonstrated a high level of skill and perseverance will encounter these biomes. When entering a cursed biome, players are immediately faced with a higher level of danger, as these areas are populated with cursed mobs that can quickly end a run if not handled carefully.
Risks and Rewards of Cursed Biomes
The primary allure of cursed biomes is the increased rewards they offer. All items dropped in these biomes, whether from enemies, chests, or shops, will be one gear level higher than usual. Additionally, the chance of encountering a cursed chest—a chest that curses the player upon opening but contains powerful items—is increased by 10%. These incentives make cursed biomes tempting for players looking to power up their character quickly.
However, the risks are equally significant. Each cursed biome contains a random selection of cursed mobs, such as the Sore Loser, Doom Bringer, and Curser, each of which poses a unique threat. The number of cursed biomes a player can encounter in a single run is capped based on their Boss Cell level, with a maximum of eight cursed biomes in a 5BC run. This cap ensures that while players are tempted to push their luck, they cannot simply farm cursed biomes indefinitely.
The decision to enter a cursed biome is a gamble that can either set a player up for success or spell their doom. The increased difficulty means that even the most skilled players must weigh their options carefully, deciding whether the potential rewards are worth the risk of facing off against some of the deadliest mobs in the game.
Anathema – The Cursed Projectile
Anathema is a new weapon introduced in Update 35 that perfectly encapsulates the theme of risk and reward. This weapon allows players to rip out the heart of a Mushroom Boi and fire it as a heavy projectile that deals area-of-effect (AOE) damage. However, there’s a catch: every time the projectile hits an enemy, the player is cursed. This curse mechanic forces players to be extremely cautious in how they use Anathema, as each successful hit could bring them one step closer to death.
Strategically, Anathema is a powerful tool for crowd control, capable of dealing with groups of enemies in a single shot. However, its use must be balanced against the growing curse stacks that can quickly accumulate. Players who can master the timing and positioning needed to maximize Anathema’s effectiveness while minimizing the risk of curses will find it a valuable addition to their arsenal.
Indulgence – The Cursed Purge
Indulgence is another new weapon that adds a unique twist to the curse mechanics in Dead Cells. This weapon calls down a ray of light on the nearest enemy, dealing critical damage if the player is not cursed. Additionally, enemies killed by this ray purge the player of 3 stacks of curse, making it an excellent tool for managing curse levels during a run.
Indulgence’s true power lies in its ability to scale with the player’s curse level. For every 5 stacks of curse the player has, Indulgence fires an additional ray, with a maximum of 5 rays per cast. This mechanic encourages players to take on curses strategically, using Indulgence to both deal damage and reduce their curse burden. It is a weapon that rewards careful planning and execution, making it a favorite for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay.
Misericorde – The Risky Crit Weapon
Misericorde is a weapon that offers powerful critical hits under specific conditions but carries the risk of cursing the player if those conditions are not met. The weapon inflicts critical damage on enemies with less than 50% HP. However, if the critical hit does not kill the target, the player is cursed.
This mechanic makes Misericorde a high-stakes weapon that can either be a game-changer or a liability, depending on how it is used. Players must be precise and confident in their ability to finish off weakened enemies, or they risk accumulating curses that could end their run. Misericorde is a weapon that rewards skilled play, offering powerful damage potential in exchange for the risk of curses.
New Mutations and Their Effects
Cursed Flask is a new mutation that offers players an incredible power boost at the cost of significant risk. This mutation gives the player’s health flask infinite charges, meaning it can be used repeatedly without running out. However, each use of the flask curses the player with 20 stacks of curse, making it a double-edged sword.
The strategic use of Cursed Flask is crucial. In high-stakes situations, it can provide the healing needed to survive tough encounters, but the curses it applies can quickly add up, making the player vulnerable to instant death. Players who choose this mutation must carefully manage their curse levels, using the flask only when absolutely necessary and balancing the benefits of healing with the dangers of accumulating curses.
Damned Vigor – Surviving Fatal Blows
Damned Vigor is a mutation designed to give players a second chance in the most dire of situations. When the player is dealt fatal damage, this mutation allows them to stay alive at 1 HP for 2 seconds. During this time, if the player manages to kill an enemy, they will be saved and can continue their run. If not, or if they are hit again during this period, they will instantly die.
This mutation is a lifesaver in situations where a single mistake could end a run. It provides a brief window of opportunity for players to turn the tide in their favor, making it a valuable tool for those who prefer an aggressive, high-risk playstyle. However, its effectiveness depends on the player’s ability to capitalize on the brief window it provides, making it a mutation that rewards quick thinking and precise execution.
Demonic Strength – Power Through Curses
Demonic Strength is a mutation that turns curses into a source of power. This mutation increases the player’s damage by 30% when they are cursed, with the bonus increasing by 2% for each stack of curse. For players who enjoy pushing the limits of the curse mechanic, Demonic Strength offers a significant boost to their offensive capabilities.
This mutation is particularly effective in combination with weapons and tactics that already encourage the accumulation of curses. By embracing the curse mechanic, players can unleash devastating attacks on their enemies, making Demonic Strength a key component of any curse-focused build. However, the mutation also increases the stakes, as the more powerful the player becomes, the closer they are to being overwhelmed by their curses.
Reworked Legendary Affixes
Legendary affixes have always been a core element of Dead Cells, offering unique modifiers that can dramatically change the way weapons and items function. In Update 35, several legendary affixes have been reworked to provide new and exciting gameplay opportunities. These reworks are designed to enhance the strategic depth of the game, giving players more options for customizing their builds and adapting to the challenges they face.
The reworked affixes bring a fresh perspective to familiar weapons, encouraging players to experiment with different combinations and strategies. Whether it’s boosting their offensive capabilities, enhancing their defenses, or adding new tactical options, these affixes ensure that even in the final major update, Dead Cells continues to offer something new for players to explore.
Notable New Affixes
Flawless: Almost Perfect: This new affix allows players to continue dealing critical hits if they kill an enemy within one second of being hit. This affix rewards aggressive, fast-paced play, encouraging players to stay in the thick of combat and capitalize on their momentum. It’s a powerful tool for those who prefer to stay on the offensive, turning near misses into opportunities for devastating attacks.
Gold Digger: Filthy Rich: With this affix, the critical hit multiplier increases based on the amount of gold the player has. This affix adds an interesting economic dimension to the game, where managing resources becomes just as important as managing health or weapons. Players who accumulate large amounts of gold will find themselves dealing massive damage, making this affix a valuable addition to any treasure-focused build.
Rampart: Mirror Coating: Mirror Coating reflects the damage of attacks received while under the effect of the Rampart shield’s force field. The damage reflected scales with the strength of the attack received, making this affix particularly effective against powerful enemies. This defensive affix turns the enemy’s strength against them, allowing players to deflect heavy blows and turn the tide of battle in their favor.
Accessibility Enhancements in Update 35
One of the key focuses of Update 35 is ensuring that Dead Cells remains accessible to a wide range of players. To this end, the update introduces several new control options designed to make the game more intuitive and easier to navigate. Players can now choose between three different sets of control icons: “Legacy” (the current icons), “New” (a cleaner, updated set), and “Big” (a set focused on accessibility, with larger and easier-to-read icons).
These new control options are part of a broader effort to ensure that Dead Cells is playable by as many people as possible. The update also includes new input options for actions like moving through platforms, which can be customized to suit the player’s preferences. These changes make it easier for players to tailor the game’s controls to their needs, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the final major update without frustration.
Visual and Interface Improvements
In addition to the new control options, Update 35 also brings several visual and interface improvements aimed at enhancing the overall gameplay experience. One of the most significant changes is the addition of a background option for most in-game text, which can be adjusted in terms of color and opacity. This feature makes text easier to read, particularly in visually busy or dark environments, ensuring that important information is always clear and accessible.
The update also introduces a variety of new camera options, allowing players to customize how the camera behaves during gameplay. These options include adjustments for camera movement in response to the player’s actions, as well as settings for how the camera reacts during combat or when focusing on points of interest. These tweaks give players greater control over their viewing experience, making it easier to keep track of the action and navigate through the game’s challenging environments.
Head Customization: New Skins and More
One of the more lighthearted additions in Update 35 is the introduction of new head skins, allowing players to further customize the appearance of their character. These new skins include options based on various appearances of the Beheaded throughout the game’s history, as well as skins inspired by some of the game’s most iconic bosses, such as the Queen and the Time Keeper.
For players who enjoy personalization, these new head skins are a welcome addition, offering a fun way to stand out in the game’s vibrant world. The update also includes several secret skins, which players can discover through exploration and experimentation. These hidden skins add an extra layer of mystery and excitement to the game, encouraging players to delve deeper into the final major update.
Biome Routing Changes and Their Effects
The changes to biome routing introduced in Update 35 have significant implications for the overall flow and strategy of a Dead Cells run. By altering the connections between biomes, the developers have created new pathways for players to explore, offering fresh opportunities for strategic planning and adaptation.
For example, the addition of an exit to Master’s Keep in High Peak Castle opens up new possibilities for late-game routing, while the inclusion of new connections to biomes like Corrupted Prison and Ossuary provides alternative paths for players looking to mix up their runs. These changes ensure that even veteran players will find new challenges and opportunities in the final major update, keeping the game feeling fresh and dynamic.
Community and Developer Reflections
As Dead Cells reaches the end of its journey, the relationship between the developers and the community has never been more evident. Throughout the game’s development, the team at Motion Twin and Evil Empire has been incredibly responsive to player feedback, using it to shape and refine the game over the years. This final update is a testament to that collaborative effort, incorporating many suggestions and ideas from the community.
In their farewell message, the developers expressed their deep gratitude to the players who have supported Dead Cells from the beginning. This update is not just a goodbye from the developers, but a celebration of the community that has made Dead Cells such a success. It is a reminder that at its heart, Dead Cells has always been a game about community, challenge, and the joy of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds.
The Legacy of Dead Cells and Its Future
As we look back on the journey of Dead Cells, it’s clear that the game has left a lasting impact on the roguelike genre. With its innovative gameplay mechanics, tight controls, and ever-evolving content, Dead Cells has set a new standard for what a roguelike can be. The game’s success has inspired countless other titles, and its influence can be seen in many of the genre’s most popular games today.
While Update 35 marks the end of major updates for Dead Cells, the future is still bright for both the game and its developers. The legacy of Dead Cells will continue to live on through its passionate community, and there’s no doubt that Motion Twin and Evil Empire have many more exciting projects in store for the future. As we say goodbye to Dead Cells, we can take comfort in knowing that this is not the end, but rather the beginning of a new chapter for both the developers and their fans.
Conclusion
Update 35: The End is Near is a fitting conclusion to the remarkable journey of Dead Cells. With new curse mechanics, powerful weapons, challenging mobs, and enhanced accessibility options, this update encapsulates everything that has made Dead Cells a beloved title among players. As we reflect on the impact of this final major update, it’s clear that Dead Cells has left an indelible mark on the roguelike genre, setting new standards for gameplay innovation and community engagement. While this may be the last major update, the legacy of Dead Cells will continue to inspire players and developers alike for years to come.
FAQs
- What is the significance of Update 35 in Dead Cells?
- Update 35: The End is Near is the final major update for Dead Cells, marking the end of an era for the game. It introduces new curse mechanics, mobs, weapons, mutations, and accessibility options, providing players with one last major content update before the developers move on to new projects.
- How do cursed biomes work in Update 35?
- Cursed biomes are new areas in Dead Cells that appear in runs with Boss Cell level 2 or higher. These biomes contain cursed mobs and offer higher rewards but come with increased risks. Players must decide whether to enter these biomes for better gear and rewards or avoid them to minimize danger.
- What are the new mobs introduced in Update 35?
- Update 35 introduces three new mobs: Sore Loser, Doom Bringer, and Curser. Each of these mobs interacts with the curse mechanic in unique ways, adding new challenges and risks for players to manage during their runs.
- What are the new weapons in Update 35, and how do they work?
- The update adds three new weapons: Anathema, Indulgence, and Misericorde. Anathema is a projectile weapon that curses the player upon hitting an enemy, Indulgence purges curses while dealing damage, and Misericorde offers critical hits that can curse the player if not used carefully.
- How have accessibility options been improved in Update 35?
- Update 35 introduces several new accessibility features, including new control icon sets, input options, text background customization, and camera behavior tweaks. These enhancements make Dead Cells more accessible to a broader range of players, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the game.
