Guillermo del Toro Wants Dead Cells Respawn Option Removed

Guillermo del Toro has never been shy about his love for video games, and a recent interview brought that enthusiasm into the spotlight—this time with a specific complaint about Dead Cells. The filmmaker said the roguelike’s loop and re-tries are thrilling at first, but he wants an option that removes the respawn cycle for players who prefer a less punishing restart structure.

Del Toro calls out Dead Cells’ respawn loop

In an interview with IGN, del Toro said Dead Cells genuinely captivated him, but he “hates the respawn system.” His criticism centers on the way progress is tied to repeating runs: he described reaching 35 levels and then starting over, arguing that it leads to faster advancement but still feels punishing.

Del Toro’s request was direct. He asked for “a version without respawn” aimed at older players, and said he is willing to help—offering to be contacted so it could be shared and reviewed. He also stressed that he loves the game’s world and praised its design.

Quick facts

• Guillermo del Toro said Dead Cells is exciting but that he “hates” the respawn system.
• He referenced a loop where players reach 35 levels and then restart.
• He asked for a “version without respawn” for older players.
• Motion Twin responded, saying it offers an “Assistance mode.”
• Assistance mode lets players resume at the start of the current biome or at the nearest checkpoint.

Motion Twin answers with an in-game alternative

After learning about the remarks, the studio behind the game—Motion Twin—responded to del Toro. The team said it was surprised and honored to hear he plays Dead Cells, and pointed to an existing feature that can address the core problem: it highlighted an Assistance mode.

The studio explained that Assistance mode allows players to restart at the beginning of the current biome or from the closest checkpoint rather than beginning the entire run from scratch. In other words, it reduces the full repetition del Toro was complaining about while keeping the roguelike framework intact.

Why roguelikes frustrate some players

Del Toro’s comments also underscore a wider issue: roguelikes aren’t a universal fit. The interview frames the genre’s repetition and difficulty as potential sticking points for players who need a different pace to stay motivated.

Dead Cells, despite its accessibility challenges, is still presented as having a strong artistic identity and a world worth engaging with—making the respawn criticism land harder for fans who value its design. The underlying tension is that the genre’s signature loop is also what can make it feel exhausting.

Del Toro’s game tastes go beyond one roguelike

The filmmaker didn’t limit his praise to a single title. In the same broader discussion of games he enjoys, he named multiple productions across different styles, including BioShock, Journey, Monument Valley, and Left 4 Dead.

He also spoke positively about Shadow of the Colossus, saying it pushed him toward “deep introspection” on intangible themes. Taken together, the list reinforces that del Toro’s appeal isn’t just about gameplay mechanics—it’s about tone, atmosphere, and the kind of emotional or thematic weight games can carry.