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

In a July 29 IGN interview, celebrated director Guillermo del Toro expressed his appreciation for the challenging action-roguelike game, Dead Cells, but lamented its difficulty level, wishing for a mode that eased up on the roguelike restarts. Motion Twin, the studio behind Dead Cells, responded to IGN's report and suggested that del Toro try the easy mode already available in the game. The studio expressed their surprise and honor at del Toro's enthusiasm for Dead Cells and offered to assist him with the Assist mode.

The Assist mode in Dead Cells allows players to respawn at the start of the current biome or the closest checkpoint instead of restarting the entire run. Motion Twin stated, "We'd like to officially add this moment into our own personal Cabinet of Curiosities. Thank you very much Guillermo for your kind words and your time on the game. We hope this little message will help you!"

Del Toro had asked for a version without respawning for the elderly players, which could be interpreted as directed at the roguelike genre's consequences on death, such as losing all possessions, and the map getting randomized. The author and PCG news writer Elie Gould speculated that del Toro was directed at the roguelike genre's consequences on death, specifically the loss of items and randomized maps upon death. The author hopes del Toro will find what he's looking for in Assist mode.