7 Hardcore games like Dead Cells that you should try

It shares the essentials of what Dead Cells does: dark, oppressive atmosphere, melee combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and pixel art. Where the two diverge is setting: horror setting.

Genre puts it alongside Dead Cells, and so does punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: a sci-fi setting.

On paper it is what Dead Cells is — exploration and discovery, punishing difficulty, and single-player focus — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on 2D presentation. The distance is in setting and visuals — its own ground is a sci-fi setting.

What brings it close to Dead Cells is punishing difficulty, procedural generation and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and world. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. They part company on tone and visuals.

What brings it close to Dead Cells is punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and setting. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. The distance is in tone and visuals — its own ground is cozy, relaxing feel.

What brings it close to Dead Cells is punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and progression. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and pixel art. The distance is in tone.

If Dead Cells worked for you because of punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus, the same is here. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and pixel art. They part company on setting and tone: this one brings cozy, relaxing feel and a sci-fi setting.