Sometimes, there’s a crossover that just works wonders. We could talk all day about how Super Smash Bros. Ultimate mastered this, or the very idea that Link could fit within the Mario Kart universe alongside the squidlings (Squid Kids?) from Splatoon. But then you have an indie studio like Motion Twin, who took the diabolical chance of talking Konami into letting them cross over Dead Cells with Castlevania.
This new expansion, Return To Castlevania, drops this week, incorporating elements from the classic game series into this indie darling. The results are, as you might expect, spectacular. It does still require the proper skill set to get through Dead Cells and, well, not die. But once you get past that particular hump, you’ll find this sweet little crossover idea nothing short of compelling.
Let’s Begin
You can actually start the Return to Castlevania quest from the start, provided you can find Alucard in the Prisoner’s Quarters. It may take a few deaths for him to pop up, but show up he will. Once that’s done, you’ll make your way to the Castlevania themed levels, including the familiar Dracula’s Castle and the two boss rooms that await.
Now, don’t expect to get into a familiar battle right away. This is Dead Cells, after all; and the buildup can take a while, particularly if you’re new at the game. Still, the way that Motion Twin has incorporated the world of Castlevania into Dead Cells is something else. You’ll note the familiar beats with the music and design, but still get reminded that, yeah, you’re in the midst of a roguelike. And you’re going to die if you’re not careful.
Just…don’t expect a full game. This is a deluxe add-on, meaning that you can get through it in a matter of a couple of hours on a good dedicated run. But, for the $10 price tag, you’re being reintroduced to a classic series that would later inspire Dead Cells, and the latter now paying respect to the former in return.
Plus it plays great, and the extra content you can unlock over the course of the game is absolutely excellent. That includes a bad-ass whip that, yep, can crack open someone’s head in two with just the right shot. (Oh, I’m kidding, but it will make them explode in all the right ways.)
Whip It Good
Along with fun content, there’s a lot of cool stuff to unlock, as well as the ability to level up properly, just as you could in the original Dead Cells. My particular favorite piece of content is the holy water, if only because it’s fun to fling it around again like it’s going out of style. There’s also side characters that join the fray, including Richter, Trevor, and, for those that loved the olden days of Dracula X, even Maria.
Along with the colorful visuals that really bring the best out of the Castlevania motif, there’s also a superb soundtrack. Some of the classic tunes are finely represented here, and well worth listening to on a headset. Not to mention the great sound effects that emerge over the course of your small but enjoyable adventure.
The Best Kind of Crossover
Dead Cells has proven, over the past few years that it’s been out, that it’s been able to stand the test of time thanks to sharp content that players have come back to enjoy on multiple occasions. Return To Castlevaniajoins that fray, a wonderful piece of content that’s both nostalgic and a fine additive to the growing Dead Cells picture we’ve seen thus far.
And, along with the other indie content we’ve seen for the game in the past, it makes me wonder just what else we could see from this universe. Imagine if Motion Twin convinced Capcom to lend some Darkstalkerslore to the picture. Or, for that matter, how about a Dead Space theme from EA? The possibilities are endless.
For now, Return To Castlevania is highly worth the $10 investment. It’s hardly what you’d consider a “miserable little pile of secrets.” Have at it.
RATING: 5/5
