THE STORY
Unravel the mysteries of the island and the origins of the Malaise
The Island's Dark History
Dead Cells takes place on an unnamed island that has been ravaged by a mysterious plague known as the Malaise. The island was once ruled by a King who, in his desperation to find a cure, conducted horrific experiments on his subjects.
You play as the Beheaded, a failed experiment - a mass of cells that can animate and control dead bodies. As you progress through the game, you'll uncover fragments of the island's history and your own mysterious origins.
The story is told through environmental storytelling, item descriptions, and occasional encounters with NPCs. Much of the lore is left open to interpretation, creating a mysterious atmosphere that encourages exploration.
Key Characters
The Beheaded
The protagonist of Dead Cells, a failed experiment created during the King's desperate search for a cure to the Malaise. The Beheaded is a mass of cells that can animate and control dead bodies.
Despite having no head, the Beheaded possesses consciousness and the ability to learn and adapt. Each time you die, the mass of cells finds a new body to inhabit, explaining the roguelike nature of the game.
Story Timeline
The Kingdom's Golden Age
The island prospered under the King's rule. Scientific and alchemical advancements flourished, and the castle became a center of learning and culture.
The Malaise Appears
A mysterious plague begins to spread across the island. The infected exhibit strange symptoms, including physical mutations and mental deterioration.
The King's Experiments
Desperate to find a cure, the King authorizes increasingly unethical experiments on his subjects. The Alchemic Department begins work on various potential cures and weapons against the Malaise.
The Rebellion
As the King's methods become more extreme, a rebellion forms among the citizens. The castle is eventually stormed, but by then, most of the island's population has succumbed to the Malaise.
Present Day
The island is now a desolate place, populated by the infected and the remnants of the King's guards. The Beheaded awakens in the Prisoner's Quarters, beginning their journey to uncover the truth.
Key Locations
Once used to house prisoners, this area is now where the Beheaded begins each journey. The cells here were used for both common criminals and subjects of the King's experiments.
The Promenade of the Condemned was once a beautiful garden path for the castle's nobility. Now it's overgrown and filled with infected creatures and hostile guards.
The seat of power on the island and the King's former residence. The castle contains many secrets about the origin of the Malaise and the fate of the King.