Top 7 mobile games like Dead Cells

Dead Cells, a roguelike metroidvania made a big splash when it first arrived on PC, so it’s no surprise that it’s done the same on mobile. This was especially true when the game became available for Netflix subscribers through the streaming platform’s mobile app. Now, more people than ever are experiencing the fast-paced, side-scrolling action of Dead Cells.

In our selection, Dead Cells stands out as one of our toughest yet most rewarding recommendations for mobile games. Its striking pixel art and impressive special effects in this genre make it visually appealing, while its challenging gameplay keeps things tough. Additionally, despite the difficulty, you’ll find that there’s a lot to explore within the game, making it an excellent value at just £7.49 on Google Play, or completely free if you’re a Netflix subscriber.

If you find that Dead Cells isn’t quite enough for your gaming needs, and you’re looking for more, here are seven game suggestions to help satisfy that lingering desire:

1. Hollow Knight – A challenging 2D Metroidvania adventure game set in a vast underground world.
2. Salt and Sanctuary – An action RPG with roguelike elements, offering deep combat mechanics and a large interconnected world.
3. Celeste – A precision-platforming masterpiece that will test your skills and determination as you climb to the top of a mountain.
4. Super Meat Boy – A fast-paced, side-scrolling platformer with tight controls and challenging levels.
5. Nuclear Throne – A fast-paced roguelike shooter with procedurally generated levels and a variety of weapons to master.
6. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth – A randomly generated action RPG shoot ’em up with hundreds of items, enemies, and bosses.
7. Furi – A unique blend of fast-paced sword fighting and dual stick shooting, featuring challenging boss battles and a dynamic soundtrack.

Our collection features side-scrolling games, action RPGs from a third-person perspective, and story-driven titles. Piqued your curiosity? Dive into our list and explore seven mobile games similar to Dead Cells that you might enjoy!

1 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Publisher:
Konami
Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

It’s hard to compile a list of Metroidvania-style games without including one of the pioneers. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night stood out when it revamped Konami’s vampire-slaying franchise by shifting focus from the Belmont family to Dracula’s son, Alucard, and significantly modifying the gameplay mechanics that were characteristic of earlier games in the series.

Prior to Symphony of the Night, Castlevania games generally adhered to a well-known, side-scrolling format where players, as members of the Belmont family of vampire hunters, would combat Dracula upon his return. The journey typically involved traversing through different stages either across the land or starting at Dracula’s castle itself. Along the way, players would gather power-ups and face off against bosses, while navigating obstacles, enemies, and Medusa Heads.

As a devoted gamer, I’ve got to admit that the Castlevania series has always been uniquely linear in its design. This is why it’s no wonder that Symphony of the Night stands out among other fantastic series like Lords of Shadow, being exceptionally unique and genre-defining. You see, alongside classics like Metroid, Symphony of the Night paved the way for the pseudo-RPG experience by allowing us to collect new gear, skills, and enhancements to navigate through the game map. It also introduced engaging merchant interactions, character development, and more, really setting a new standard in gaming.

However, you’ve previously encountered similar ideas. Discussing the impact Symphony of the Night had on Castlevania, its significance within the gaming industry, could essentially be considered a mandatory exercise when penning articles about video games. Yet, let us delve into the intricacies of its mobile adaptation instead.

Restated for clarity: Konami has again released Castlevania: SotN, which remains essentially the same as other versions. Since it was originally designed for the PlayStation controller, you won’t have to deal with many control options; just use the controller and four buttons.

Without a doubt, the condensed image – essential for use on mobile devices – inevitably means sacrificing some of that stunning pixel art, and it’s not equipped with features like scanline simulation offered in other versions. However, if your affection for Dead Cells runs deep and you yearn to appreciate the original, this mobile adaptation is far from a poor choice.

Currently, you can purchase Castlevania: SotN for just £2.99 on both Google Play and the App Store.

2 Blasphemous

Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Blasphemous

Blasphemous is a gruesome game similar to Dead Cells in style, but moves at a slightly slower pace. It features 2D pixelated graphics and hordes of agile enemies aiming to annihilate you. However, this game is significantly bloodier than most others, so it may not be suitable for younger players or those with sensitive stomachs who might find the depiction of dismembering an enemy or two unsettling.

In this game, your protagonist will regularly cleanse themselves in a gory manner, using blood instead of water for their daily skincare routine. The monsters resemble those from Miyazaki’s Dark Souls series, with the bosses offering particularly difficult but rewarding battles. What I found captivating about this game is its emphasis on exploration, with numerous secret rooms and extra content to discover, providing a mental workout in all the right ways. The satisfying sounds of striking enemies are impressive, as is the jarring impact when they strike back, especially with metallic objects or large impacts. This adds an additional layer of complexity and immersion to the already intriguing ambiance.

As a passionate gamer, let me tell you, if you’ve dabbled in the captivating world of Metroidvania games on mobile and are yearning for something that elevates the genre to new heights following your Dead Cells escapade, then Blasphemous is just the ticket!

Blasphemous is currently available on Google Play and App Store for £7.99.

3 Terraria

Developer: Codeglue
Publisher: 505 Games
Available on: iOS + Android + Windows Phone + Nintendo 3DS + PlayStation Vita + Steam
Find out more about Terraria

Indeed, this statement isn’t a jest, and there won’t be any apologies. While Terraria might seem like an unusual choice among the Metroidvanias mentioned, it shares striking similarities with them, particularly in terms of craftable weapons, armor, and items that draw inspiration from Castlevania. In fact, Terraria appears to owe a significant debt to the same games that inspired Dead Cells. If you’re seeking an adventure reminiscent of Dead Cells but with a unique twist, Terraria could offer the refreshing take on a familiar formula that you’re searching for.

In essence, Terraria is similar to Minecraft in that it’s an expansive crafting game set in an open world. But what sets it apart is the abundance of weapons, armor, and helpful items for players to use against a multitude of foes. As you conquer bosses within the game, you’ll gain access to additional resources and even tougher adversaries. A significant aspect of Terraria involves the ongoing upgrades that enable you to delve into unexplored regions of the map. And when you vanquish a specific boss (to avoid spoilers), the entire game transitions into “Hardmode”, significantly increasing its level of difficulty.

Enthusiasts will discover an abundance of content in this game, since it features numerous bosses, distinctive adversaries, and random occurrences that present fresh hurdles for players to conquer. This isn’t just about the Blood Moon (which amplifies enemy damage and health as anticipated), but also unique events like a Pirate Attack or Halloween-themed foes adding variety to the experience.

On your journey, you’ll find an assortment of tools and gadgets that will make traversing the terrain exciting and enjoyable, whether you’re running, jumping, flying, or swinging. After a while, you’ll be having the same thrilling, high-speed fun you’re familiar with, but in a whole new setting. If you choose to join in, you can utilize some of the Terraria mods we’ve collected.

As a devoted enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the striking resemblances that lie beneath the seemingly different layers. Although it might not follow a traditional path, and the incorporation of crafting elements, mining, and other typical genre traits could potentially alienate purists, delving deeper reveals an intriguing array of shared characteristics.

At this moment, you can purchase Terraria from both Google Play and the App Store for £4.59 (Google Play) and £4.99 (App Store).

4 Vampire Survivors

Publisher: Poncle
Available on: iOS + Android + Steam
Find out more about Vampire Survivors

Without a doubt, we’ve veered from the typical Metroidvania territory. However, any talk about retro vampire-themed games would be incomplete without mentioning the recent mobile adaptation that’s been making waves, Vampire Survivors. Despite its misleading title (no actual vampires are present, as a heads up), it offers a fresh and unique spin on the survivors genre – one that’s been instrumental in its resurgence in popularity.

In a unique twist, Vampire Survivors sets itself apart by having players navigate through waves of enemies from an isometric viewpoint. Your character moves around autonomously, launching spells or employing weapons to fend off enormous hoards. Progressing through the game grants access to fresh weapons and upgrades in each round, with the goal being to slay enough adversaries and endure long enough to reveal new levels and hidden secrets.

Upon closer examination, you’ll discover that Vampire Survivors has elements of Metroidvania gameplay hidden within its speedy, addictive hordes-slaughtering gameplay.” Lastly, instead of “Secret characters, levels and a particular sign you may want to see all allow players to gradually uncover vast new levels and weapons to use,” try this: “Players can slowly reveal additional characters, levels, and hidden areas by finding specific signs, leading them to discover more extensive stages and weapons.

Moreover, it’s worth mentioning that a future update for Vampire Survivors is planned to introduce traditional, sequential stages known as Adventures for players to conquer. Currently, these aren’t available on mobile platforms, but there are numerous additional content packs available – such as the Legacy of Moonspell expansion, with the main game remaining completely free.

Absolutely, Poncle takes pride in its subtle approach to monetization. In fact, the ads that appear in the game are entirely optional, allowing players to enjoy it without spending a dime if they so choose, making it a completely free gaming experience.

Vampire Survivors is currently free on Google Play and the App Store. DLC is paid.

5 Pascal’s Wager

Developer: TipsWorks
Publisher: Giant Games
Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Pascal’s Wager

Described as a game reminiscent of ‘Soulsborn’, Pascal’s Wager is another title that has generated a lot of buzz and would appeal to gamers who appreciate the challenging gameplay found in games like Dead Cells. Design-wise, it takes inspiration from games such as Dark Souls and Bloodborne, but unlike Dead Cells, it offers a 3D, third-person combat experience. To excel in this game, quick reflexes and strategic thinking are essential due to the importance of proper positioning, movement, and evasion.

As a ‘Courier’, you embark on an expedition in a world that resembles the aftermath of an apocalypse, where towering creatures known as Colossi used to dwell, shrouding the environment with a dark mist. But now that these giants are dying off, the land has been plunged back into darkness, making it your mission to uncover the truth behind this mysterious event. The atmosphere is ominous and filled with a sense of impending doom.

Although Pascal’s Wager’s graphics might appear less striking compared to Dead Cells’ vibrant retro style, its gritty, dark-toned environment mirrors the tough, challenging atmosphere often found in Soulsborne-inspired games. In case you’re not familiar, a Soulsborne-like refers to a type of game that encompasses key elements, primarily a grim tone and high difficulty level. Therefore, Pascal’s Wager is definitely not for those seeking a casual, stress-free gaming experience.

What stands out the most about Pascal’s Wager is that it’s often marketed as “not your typical mobile game” due to its rich content and high-quality graphics. While it carries a premium price tag, and isn’t available on streaming services like Netflix (as Dead Cells is), if you’re considering the higher-ranked games, Pascal’s Wager should not be overlooked.

Pascal’s Wager is available on Google Play for £4.79.

6 Grimvalor

Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Grimvalor

Grimvalor shares the style and mechanics of games similar to Dead Cells, and it has a similar atmosphere too. This side-scrolling hack ‘n slash game is reminiscent of classic Castlevania titles in its execution. Although Grimvalor may seem less complex than Dead Cells, its simplicity doesn’t diminish the level of challenge it presents. In fact, this straightforwardness can make it an enjoyable and captivating choice for satisfying your Metroidvania cravings.

Just remember that Grimvalor is an older game, yet it still works with modern systems such as Google Play Games, enabling you to play mobile games on Windows. However, its visuals might seem outdated, and while you can replay the initial chapter indefinitely for free, you’ll need to pay to access the rest of the content.

In essence, Grimvalor offers five full acts of gameplay, enclosed within an intuitive combat system and challenging bosses. Essentially, it serves as an alternative to Dead Cells without the need for additional runs or meticulous build management. Instead, it presents a more traditional side-scrolling action-adventure experience, offering enough complexity to engage your mind.

1) You can download Grimvalor from both the App Store and Google Play. It costs £5.99, but it’s free on Google Play with certain in-app purchases.

7 Cultist Simulator

Publisher: Weather Factory
Available on: iOS + Android
Find out more about Cultist Simulator

Absolutely! While Terraria may share some resemblances, it’s important to note that Cultist Simulator and Dead Cells have striking similarities as well, particularly in their overall mood and roguelike gameplay style. If you’re drawn to games with a dark yet vibrant atmosphere and a focus on the unusual and mystical, these two titles could be perfect for you.

From the perspective of an enthusiast: In Cultist Simulator, you immerse yourself in the enigmatic role of a cultist, navigating through a beautifully detailed 3D card game. At first glance, the gameplay appears straightforward, focusing on managing cards, decaying resources, and other assets. However, as you delve deeper, the challenge intensifies as you strive to construct your cult, evade authorities, maintain health, and preserve sanity.

As you advance, you’ll uncover an intricate tapestry of Lovecraftian entities, offering various paths to conclude your journey. You might emerge victorious as a cunning cult leader, a gifted artist, a scholar, or even find yourself confined in a psychiatric institution. The choices are yours to make in this captivating and immersive experience.

In this game, similar to Dead Cells, you’re likely to face defeat, but each loss is an opportunity to learn and grow. The game employs a minimalist, gothic style inspired by Lovecraftian themes, which might make the gameplay seem more wordy and slow-paced compared to Dead Cells. However, when the tension mounts, Cultist Simulator can be as thrilling as Dead Cells.

Cultist Simulator is available on the App Store and Google Play for £6.99 and £5.99, respectively.

Wrapping up our journey here, you’ll find some peculiarities along the way, but if you’re keen on exploring and delving into the Metroidvania genre, these games will serve as an excellent introduction. Once we’ve covered the games akin to Dead Cells, perhaps a list of mobile games reminiscent of Hades or titles similar to Gacha Life might pique your interest next.

2025-01-15 15:49