Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, known for his distinctive visual style and compelling narratives, has revealed himself to be a fan of the roguelike game Dead Cells. However, his appreciation comes with a specific request: a version of the game that is more forgiving, particularly for older players.
In an interview with IGN, del Toro explained his difficulty with the genre's inherent repetition. "Dead Cells was really interesting to me, I just hate respawning," he stated. "You get 35 levels in and then you start again, you get faster, but please do a version without respawning for the older, for the elderly players. I'm available, you contact me and send it to me, please I beg you. Because I like the world, great design."
Del Toro's sentiment touches on a common point of friction for players who enjoy the rich worlds and intricate design of many roguelikes but struggle with the genre's core mechanic of frequent, punishing resets. While this core loop is fundamental to the identity of titles like Dead Cells, Hades, and The Binding of Isaac, the idea of a more accessible experience for those who might find such repetition draining is a notion many can empathize with.
Beyond his thoughts on Dead Cells, del Toro also shared other titles that hold a special place in his gaming history. He expressed a desire to "get lost" in the world of BioShock, and also cited Journey, Monument Valley, Left 4 Dead, Death Stranding, and Shadow of the Colossus as significant games that have impacted him, with the latter prompting introspection. As a surprising curveball, he also admitted to playing Angry Birds daily and being "really good at it."