How is this for cumbersome? Dead cellsthe side-scrolling roguelite that was clearly inspired by Castlevania now has DLC based on Castlevania, the side-scrolling action series that clearly inspired Dead cells, the… Okay, yeah, we could do this all day. Point is, there’s a new one Dead cells Castlevania expansion that absolutely rules.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania features a tasteful amount of fan service alongside two new biomes, plus a fight against… well, no spoilers, but if you’re familiar with Castlevania, let’s just say you know who. However, the expansion is like all things Dead cells: bit confusing! Once you’re in the new biomes, you’ll find the format pretty familiar (find weapons, kill things, try not to die). It is the act of starting the Dead cells Castlevania DLC, that’s the problem.
How to start Dead Cells ‘Return to Castlevania’ DLC
If you’re working from a new playthrough, you’ll need to do that dead three times before starting the Dead cells DLC. In your next life, a group of bats will fly across your screen. Note that you are not looking for the typical bats that occasionally flutter out Dead cellscaves – these bats are considerably larger. And redder.
Image: Motion Twin/Evil Empire via Polygon
As soon as you see those bats, you can start Return to Castlevania by talking to Richter. He’s located somewhere in Prisoner’s Quarters, the starting area of all runs. Don’t leave the biome until you talk to Richter. (Richter’s exact location is undetermined; Dead cells levels are procedurally generated in a random way every time you reset.)
After you find Richter, he will lead you through a series of paths, eventually leading to the Outskirts of the castle biome. Castle’s Outskirts is an alternate path to your second biome Dead cells runs. Keep in mind that it’s noticeably more difficult than the other three options – Toxic Sewers, the Promenade of the Condemned, and the Dilapidated Arboretum – so you’d do well to scour Prisoner’s Quarters for as many level-ups as possible before moving on.
