Dead Cells studio thanks Guillermo del Toro for playing its game, gently suggests he try the easy mode

Director Guillermo del Toro revealed in a July 29 IGN interview that he has been enjoying Dead Cells, Motion Twin’s challenging action-roguelike. However, del Toro expressed frustration with the game’s difficulty, specifically lamenting the frequent roguelike restarts and wishing for a more accessible mode that would ease the punishment of failure.

Motion Twin responded to the interview with good humor and surprise, expressing honor that the acclaimed filmmaker is among their playerbase. The studio gently pointed out that Dead Cells already features an Assist mode designed for exactly this purpose—allowing players to resurrect at the start of the current level rather than facing the traditional roguelike punishment of complete restarts.

The exchange highlights a common challenge for challenging games: balancing difficulty with accessibility. While some players embrace the brutal roguelike formula that Dead Cells is known for, others seek ways to enjoy the game’s artistic merit and combat mechanics without the repetition-heavy progression. Motion Twin’s response was characteristically friendly, welcoming del Toro to explore the assistance options already available to help smooth his Dead Cells experience.

Sources