The excellent Dead Cells is coming to Apple Arcade in December

Apple Arcade is continuing to get a steady selection of strong added to the service. In December 2022, the new additions are led by Dead Cells+, the iOS mobile version of the critically acclaimed 2D action roguelike from studio Motion Twin.

Originally released in 2018, the roguelike nature of Dead Cells – after each death, you start from the beginning with a few more tools at your disposal – makes it a very good pick-up-and-play game. And while it’s available on PC and every major console platform, the portable versions of the game on mobile and Nintendo Switch are undoubtedly the best.

In 2019, shortly after the game hit a milestone of 2.4 million copies sold, a representative of Motion Twin said that sales of the Nintendo Switch version of the game were ‘completely ridiculous’. The game has sold 5 million copies as of March 2021.

Needless to say, it’s a very strong game – especially one to always have on you – and years of content updates have filled the game with an excellent amount of variety.

Joining Dead Cells+ on Apple Arcade in December 2022 are two new Arcade Originals: JellyCar Worlds, a physics-based platforming game and followup to JellyCar, which made a small splash on Xbox Live Arcade and iOS in 2008 – and My Little Pony: Mane Merge, a puzzle game based on the Hasbro media franchise of the same name and developed by Gameloft (Disney Dreamlight Valley, The Oregon Trail). The game seems to lean heavily on the charm of the show’s characters.

For more on Apple Arcade additions, catch up on the new games that came to the service in November and October.

Apple’s official descriptions of the new Arcade titles for December follows:

Arcade Originals

• JellyCar Worlds (Walaber Entertainment) Launching 9 December — After over 10 years, the classic jelly driving and platforming game returns. JellyCar Worlds is an all-new modern take on the JellyCar game, featuring the same distinctive soft-body physics and gameplay. Journey through multiple worlds made of jelly, in a car also made of jelly. Players will utilise the vehicle and environment’s gelatinous nature to navigate levels, overcome obstacles, and find the exit. Players can also create custom car designs and even have the ability to record custom sound effects. 

• My Little Pony: Mane Merge (Gameloft) Launching 16 December — Saddle up and help the Mane 5 — Sunny, Izzy, Zipp, Pipp, and Hitch — in My Little Pony: Mane Merge, an all-new puzzle game based on the My Little Pony: A New Generation animated film. Now that magic has returned to Equestria, darkness has fallen across the land. In a new original story, clear the darkness, defend magic, and rescue ponies and critters alike by merging and making items to restore Equestria to glory. 

App Store Greats 

• Dead Cells+ (PlayDigious) Launching 2 December — Dead Cells+ is a roguevania action platformer that requires players to master frantic 2D combat with a wide variety of weapons and skills against merciless minions and boss. Play as a failed alchemic experiment and explore the sprawling, ever-changing castle to find out what happened on this gloomy island. Players can also test their skills against player worldwide with new daily leaderboards, only on Apple Arcade.