Bloody Tears! Vampire Killer! Vampires! Whipping! Castlevania! Ah, it’s been quite some time since a DLC reveal trailer even interested me. I was starting to think it just wasn’t possible anymore. But then Motion Twin decided to reveal Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania with a trailer as incredible as the expansion itself will hopefully turn out.
Like any story worth telling, this piece of DLC begins with the “gateway to a striking castle” suddenly appearing, and of course, a great evil lies deep within this cursed place. But can you really turn down the one and only, Richter? What do you mean, “Richter who?”? Oh, you’re actually serious. Wait, does that mean you haven’t played Castlevania: Rondo of Blood then? You really should do something about that. There’s still time before Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is released upon unsuspecting vampires everywhere.
Anyway, it’s time to take care of business – and Dracula while you’re at it – by which I, of course, mean… it’s time to loot the place! Once you’ve dealt with the hordes of supernatural beings under the control of the legendary vampire, that is. Oh, and the new storyline spans a total of two levels and no less than three bosses. Sounds like a solid amount of content to me, although how about no less than 14(!) iconic weapons, secret rooms, flame-lit corridors, tombs, paintings, food in… wait, food in walls? Oh, right: Castlevania.
Although what really sealed the deal for me – from the trailer below, anyway – is the music. Goodness, the music! I mean, the art style, the animation, and the overall direction are undeniably top-notch, and I was curious to see what the protagonist was in for. But then a genuinely groovy rendition of Bloody Tears from Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest started playing and my hype level for Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania reached previously impossible heights. Again, it’s not that I’m trying to downplay everything else in the trailer (which, again, can be found below). It’s just that – well, take a gander for yourself, and then get ready to Return to Castlevania.
Oh, almost forgot: an alternative soundtrack will be available as part of the DLC, featuring 51(!) of the original Castlevania tunes, and yes, Bloody Tears and Vampire Killer are among them. Or hey, how about being able to roleplay as Alucard, Richter Belmont, Simon Belmont, Maria Renard, to name but a few, courtesy of a slew of unlockable outfits? Ah, Q1 2023 seems so far away now.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is set to crack the whip and on PC (Steam) & consoles, come Q1 2023. Holy water sold separately.
