Dead Cells

A timed daily level with the same loot for everyone, scored for points.

Every day: The Daily Challenge: a fixed level with identical loot for everyone each day; beat the boss inside a time limit for points, retry as often as you like, and rank on best-score and first-run boards. New puzzle: Midnight UTC+1 (23:00 UTC).

Play Dead Cells on store.steampowered.com

Dead Cells on Steam

Dead Cells key art from its Steam page

Dead Cells is Motion Twin's roguelite action platformer. Its Daily Challenge, unlocked with the Challenger Rune, drops everyone into the same level with the same loot and a few minutes to score points and beat the boss, with official daily rankings.

About Dead Cells

Dead Cells is a roguelite action platformer by the French studio Motion Twin, released in full in 2018 after early access. You play a mass of cells that takes over a body in a cursed island prison and fights through a castle that rearranges itself on every run, collecting weapons, skills and blueprints along the way.

The Daily Challenge arrived during early access in 2017. You unlock it by collecting the Challenger Rune from the Concierge. Each day everyone gets the same level with the same loot, and you have four and a half minutes to score as many points as you can and beat a boss. Kills, elite enemies and chests are worth points. Your score is posted whether you win or run out of time.

Unlike most daily runs you can try again as often as you like, and only your best score stays. Motion Twin publishes the rankings on its own site with two boards, best scores and first runs only, so you can choose between racing on a blind attempt or practising the route. Completing dailies also unlocks blueprints. It suits Dead Cells players who want a short, intense run to master with the same map as everyone else.

How to play Dead Cells

  1. Collect the Challenger Rune from the Concierge to unlock the Daily Challenge.
  2. Start the Daily Challenge and note the day's level and starting gear.
  3. Kill enemies and open chests for points while moving toward the boss; elite enemies score more.
  4. Beat the boss before the 4 minutes 30 seconds run out; your score is posted either way.
  5. Retry as often as you like that day to raise your best score.

Screenshots

Dead Cells screenshot 1 from its Steam page
Dead Cells screenshot 2 from its Steam page

Tips

  • Opening the map pauses the timer, so use it to plan your route to the boss.
  • Elite enemies are worth several times a normal one; plan the route around them.
  • Do a first blind run for the first-run-only leaderboard before practising the route.

Questions

When does the Dead Cells Daily Challenge reset?

At midnight UTC+1, which is 23:00 UTC. Some players report it may shift by an hour with European daylight saving.

Can I replay the Dead Cells daily?

Yes, as often as you like; only your best score counts. A separate leaderboard tracks first runs only.

How do I unlock the Daily Challenge?

Collect the Challenger Rune from the Concierge.

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