Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
March 6, 2023
The inspiration behind it all returns to its 2D action roots! Castlevania’s unforgettable characters &a; gothic setting meet the fast-paced combat of the award-winning roguelite Dead Cells in this unprecedented collaboration. A gateway to a striking castle has suddenly appeared, and an imposing warrior called Richter asks you to help …
Critic Score
87.9
36 critic reviews
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Critic Reviews (36)
"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a must-buy for any fans of Dead Cells or Castlevania, it&s;s a breath of fresh air for those who have played the base Dead Cells in the past, plus the music is fantastic!"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
65.0
"Return to Castlevania is an obvious and great mix between Dead Cells and Castlevania. This new DLC is a great tribute to the Konami historic video game saga. If you already a Dead Cells player, you will obviously like playing …"
Read original review"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is another excellent expansion for the base game. It’s remarkable that nearly five years after its initial release, the development team continues to provide so much additional support, making one of my favorite games of …"
Read original review"This DLC largely revives the entire Castlevania franchise, building upon the best elements this saga has to offer, creating incredible moments that remind us of the series&s; potential and leave us wanting more."
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
80.0
"The DLC has issues trying to accommodate new players, but it’s still worth playing for its fun weapons, fantastic boss fights, and great usage of iconic music."
Read original review"In what feels like a match made in hell, Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania provides a beautiful love letter to Konami’s iconic series while adding something new to the mix"
Read original reviewGraphics
96.0
Gameplay
97.0
Story
85.0
"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a shining blueprint of how to do a crossover right, celebrating Castlevania&s;s history while mixing it with Dead Cells’ own identity to make something that’s more than the sum of its already excellent parts."
Read original reviewGraphics
80.0
Gameplay
90.0
Story
70.0
"At $9.99, Return to Castlevania is the most expensive DLC for Dead Cells yet, but it is substantial enough to be worth it. The new areas are a ton of fun, and the number of new weapons and costumes is …"
Read original reviewGraphics
60.0
Gameplay
95.0
Story
70.0
"For people who have been playing Dead Cells routinely since launch, Return to Castlevania offers a cathartic experience akin to your favorite author reading you their favorite book. For new players who love games like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night …"
Read original reviewGraphics
88.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
76.0
"Return to Castlevania doesn’t just revive a legend—it reminds us why mastering pain and persistence is so endlessly rewarding."
Read original reviewGraphics
78.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
86.0
"The crossover of my dreams is made exactly like Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania, an expansion that embellishes the formula of the base game by incorporating a massive dose of references and content taken from one of the most beloved …"
Read original review"I can&s;t imagine a finer tribute to Castlevania than this incredible DLC. Easily accessible to new Dead Cells players and brimming with content, this left us hoping that Konami will turn Motion Twin loose on a brand new whip-cracking, Drac-smashing …"
Read original review"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania may not break new ground, but it is a lovingly made ode to an iconic series that has long remained dormant. The new biomes, bosses, weapons, enemies, and story content are all the highest quality, …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
70.0
"Return to Castlevania fits in perfectly with the rest of Dead Cells, and it’s easily the best crossover you’ll get to experience this year. You can stake your bet at that!"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
65.0
"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a great excuse to get back into the game with its great atmosphere, impressive soundtrack and gameplay variety."
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
65.0
"Dead Cells fans will find a lot of value in the add-on, as will any Castlevania followers willing to tolerate a considerable amount of repetition and randomness."
Read original review"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a remarkable crossover packed with quality. Content from the Vampire Hunter series is creatively introduced into the Dead Cells universe, with new stages and gear that further enrich the experience. The numerous references are …"
Read original reviewGraphics
95.0
Gameplay
100.0
Story
85.0
"If you’re a Castlevania fan who hasn’t played this game for some reason, you owe it to yourself to buy this now. And even if you’re not, it’s still more super high-quality content for an awesome game that clearly is …"
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
95.0
Story
75.0
"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is an immaculate love letter to one of its inspirations, but it still retains so much of its own identity and humour as you explore Dracula&s;s castle as The Beheaded."
Read original reviewGraphics
92.0
Gameplay
87.0
Story
84.0
"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC is an absolute triumph that everyone should play. It&s;s one of the few times we get a DLC to a modern game that absolutely nails the classic gaming franchise it took inspiration from. The …"
Read original reviewGraphics
80.0
Gameplay
90.0
Story
40.0
"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a fun and challenging action-platformer that will stimulate the part of the older gamers’ brains that loves nostalgia, while teaching a new generation that a 2D game can still be great, even in 2023."
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
45.0
"Chances are you&s;re playing Dead Cells because you are a fan of the search action genre, so it&s;s only fitting you would appreciate the slice of love Motion Twin has made from this humble-sized DLC."
Read original reviewGraphics
95.0
Gameplay
98.0
Story
70.0
"Unsurprisingly, the combination of Dead Cells and Castlevania proves to be nostalgic and truly fantastic in this paid DLC Package"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
78.0
"To put it simply, if you’ve ever been waiting or wanting to find a reason to play Dead Cells, there has definitely never been a better time. And the absolute best outcome from this content? Konami agree to let Motion …"
Read original review"Return To Castlevania integrates into Dead Cells without distorting it, revealing itself as a heartfelt tribute and well inserted within the flow of the main game."
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
90.0
Story
80.0
"The best parts of Return to Castlevania are all the times the DLC says, “hell yeah, Castlevania!” The not so best parts are whenever the DLC tries to invoke Castlevania in its gameplay. Chasing the unlockable outfits, listening to the …"
Read original reviewGraphics
92.0
Gameplay
88.0
Story
73.0
"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is an impressive DLC that adds a lot of new content to an already excellent game. The attention to detail, new weapons and abilities, and challenging bosses make this expansion a must-play for fans of …"
Read original review"Dead Cells was always compared to Castlevania, and having the two meet in this way with such reverence on the part of Motion Twin is weirdly heartwarming."
Read original reviewGraphics
80.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
65.0
"Crossovers can be hit-or-miss, but this one makes more sense than the majority of them – the difficulty, tone, and slow approach to fighting is positively seamless and ensures this game will not only appeal to fans of each/both franchises, …"
Read original reviewGraphics
88.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
84.0
"If you liked Dead Cells, it&s;s a no-brainer that you must get the Return to Castlevania DLC as soon as possible. It may be brief, but this is a brilliantly intense and nostalgic trip to a spookier world that fits …"
Read original reviewGraphics
92.0
Gameplay
94.0
Story
93.0
"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is the best DLC that has been published for dead cells so far and of the best DLCs of all time. from challenge boss fights to unique atmosphere, it&s;s almost perfect. The only thing that …"
Read original reviewGraphics
88.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
75.0
"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is pitch-perfect revival of a franchise we&s;re desperate to see anything new from and a perfect excuse to spend another week of sleepless nights back inside this iconic roguelite. If Motion Twin and Evil Empire …"
Read original reviewGraphics
92.0
Gameplay
96.0
Story
30.0
"Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is a glorious mash-up of two incredible franchises and it&s;s simply sublime. Whether you&s;re a long-time fan of Dead Cells or a newcomer like me, this is a meaty Castlevania expansion you can really sink …"
Read original review"The newest expansion to Dead Cells is an action-packed homage that injects Castlevania flavor into Dead Cells&s; familiar roguelike structure."
Read original review"Return to Castlevania is, hands down, Dead Cells’ best expansion yet, and it’s not even close. This isn’t to say that its previous add-ons have been lackluster, as every update to the game has only served to help flesh it …"
Read original review"What makes Return to Castlevania better is that it essentially allows you to turn Dead Cells into a Castlevania roguelike, and a damned good one. The DLC serves as a fantastic love letter to one of the series that helped …"
Read original review