Comparison

XCOM 2 Collection vs Dead Cells

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

XCOM 2 Collection

Lead a resistance against an alien occupation on Earth. Engage in turn-based tactical combat, customize your soldiers, and undertake unique missions. This collection includes the full game and all DLC packs, optimized for mobile devices.

Highlights
  • Turn-based tactical combat
  • Full game and DLC included
  • Mobile-optimized touch interface
  • Soldier customization
  • Procedurally generated missions
  • Alien resistance gameplay
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READ BEFORE BUYING: Please expand this description and read the full list of supported devices below to confirm that your device is supported. Aliens rule Earth with a new order promising a brilliant future for those who conform, while silencing all those who do not. At the edges of the world, the scattered forces of XCOM gather to defend humanity, ignite a global resistance, and reclaim the planet. Bring down the alien regime from your iPad or iPhone with the XCOM 2 Collection; the complete experience of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen and four DLC packs in a single package with no in-app purchases. COMPLETE COMMAND Delivers all the turn-based tactical challenges of XCOM 2: War of the Chosen. ENGINEERED FOR iOS Lead the Resistance using a touch-screen Command Interface designed for mobile. CUSTOMISE YOUR SQUADS Customise each soldier’s look, loadout and abilities. EVERY GAME A UNIQUE CHALLENGE Direct your forces through a near-infinite combination of goals, missions, and maps. INCLUDES FOUR DLC PACKS Access new missions, soldier types, and enemies with XCOM 2's DLC packs. XCOM 2 Collection requires iOS 18 or later. You need 11GB of free space on your device, though we recommend at least double this to avoid initial installation issues. Supported iPhones: • iPhone XR and later • iPhone SE (2nd generation, 2020) and later • iPhone Air (2025) Supported iPads: • iPad - 8th Generation (2020) and later • iPad mini - 5th Generation (2019) and later • iPad Air - 3rd Generation (2019) and later • iPad Pro - 3rd Generation (2018) and later • If you require assistance, please contact our support team at support@feralinteractive.com © 2026 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Originally developed by Firaxis Games. Take-Two Interactive Software, 2K, Firaxis Games, XCOM, XCOM 2, and their respective logos are trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Developed for and published on iOS by Feral Interactive. iOS and the iOS logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Feral and the Feral logo are trademarks of Feral Interactive Ltd. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

About

Dead Cells

Explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle as a failed alchemic experiment. Master frantic 2D combat with a variety of weapons and skills against dangerous foes. Death is not the end; learn from each attempt to progress through this roguevania action platformer.

Highlights
  • Roguevania exploration
  • Frantic 2D action combat
  • Nonlinear progression
  • Permadeath with learning
  • Unlockable weapons and skills
  • DLC content packs
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Death is not the end. Play as a failed alchemic experiment and explore the sprawling, ever-changing castle to find out what happened on this gloomy island…! That is, assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers. Dead Cells is a roguevania action platformer that will require you to master frantic 2D combat with a wide variety of weapons and skills against merciless minions and boss. Kill. Die. Learn. Repeat. First available on PC and consoles, the indie hit Dead Cells is now slaying foes on mobile! Main Features • Roguevania: The progressive exploration of an interconnected world, with the replayability of a rogue-lite and the adrenaline-pumping threat of permadeath • Frantic and Dynamic 2D Action: Learn your enemies’ patterns to stay alive, or prepare to be sent back to your cell before you can say “baguette” • Nonlinear Progression: Unlock new levels with every death, opt for the path that suits your current build, your playstyle or just your mood. Surely, the ramparts can’t be as bad as the sewers, right? • Play at your own pace: Will you explore every nook and cranny of the castle, or rush to the end? *Latest updates are available: Clean Cut & The End is Near* RETURN TO CASTLEVANIA DLC Time for some vampire slaying • New storyline - overcome the Ruler of Darkness alongside Alucard and Richter Belmont, • 2 new biomes - Explore Dracula's Castle and its outskirts • 9 new monsters - Werewolves, haunted armors, and medusas are waiting for you • 14 new weapons - wield the Vampire Killer or the Holy Water to defeat creatures of the night, • 3 new bosses - go fangs to fangs against Death and Dracula himself • 20 new outfits - dress as your favorite Castlevania characters such as Simon and Richter Belmont or Alucard • Alternative soundtracks - play along 51 Castlevania original tracks and 12 tunes reimagined in the style of Dead Cells THE BAD SEED DLC You reap what you sow • New levels to lose your head in the not-so-peaceful Dilapidated Arboretum and the noxious Morass of the Banished • New monsters to rip to pieces: get to know the locals, such as the Jerkshroom and the Yeeter • New weapons to play with: trim sticking-out heads with the Scythe Claw, or make them dance to the sound of the Rhythm n' Bouzouki • New boss to fight against: Mama Tick is dying to meet you FATAL FALLS DLC Ready for a leap of faith? • 3 new biomes - Get some fresh air at the Fractured Shrines, splash around at the Undying Shores and take a picture at the Mausoleum • 8 new monsters - The Cold Blooded Guardians and their friends would love to teach you about their culture. ... Wait, aren't those relatives of yours in the Undying Shores...? • 7 new weapons - Lil' Serenade is perfect for breaking the ice with the locals, although the Snake Fangs would make for a perfect souvenir... • 1 new boss - The Scarecrow is very proud of his gardening skills and won't hesitate to show off QUEEN AND THE SEA DLC Take it to the sea! • 2 new biomes - Battle your way through a rotten shipwreck, or scale a burning lighthouse and confront your deadliest foe yet. • 9 new weapons, including a throwable shark, a trident and a pirate hook hand (eyepatch not included). • 2 new bosses - Don't lose your head before you meet the Queen! This DLC also gives you the usual extras: - A not-so-cute pet. - Loads of new outfits. - New enemies to bash. WARNING: Devices with less than 2 Gb of RAM may not be able to run this content correctly. We recommend not to take this DLC if your device is under 2gb of RAM. Carefully redesigned for mobile with a revamped interface • Two game modes available: Original & Auto-Hit • Custom controls & More touch controls options available: Change the buttons’ position and size to your liking, swipe to dodge… • MFi external controller support • No ads, no F2P mechanics! If you run into a problem, please contact us at support@playdigious.mail.helpshift.com with as much information as possible on the issue.

Screenshots

XCOM 2 Collection4 screens
Dead Cells4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Dead Cells at 4.8 against XCOM 2 Collection's 4.2. Dead Cells also leads on price ($8.99 vs $14.99) and review sentiment (89% vs 64%). XCOM 2 Collection's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

XCOM 2 Collection costs $14.99 and Dead Cells $8.99 up front. Dead Cells sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. XCOM 2 Collection asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dead Cells holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dead Cells has 12K ratings behind it against 860, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of XCOM 2 Collection's written reviews are positive against 89% of Dead Cells's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

XCOM 2 Collection ships an update monthly, Dead Cells every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
XCOM 2 Collection versus Dead Cells: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterXCOM 2 CollectionDead Cells
Price$14.99$8.99 — better
Rating4.2 (860 ratings)4.8 (12K ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.5% of reviews88.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings86012K — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#35#8 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS18.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3.4 GB1.8 GB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperFeral Interactive LtdPlaydigious

Customer experience

XCOM 2 Collection

All ratings860 ratings
Positive79.4%
Neutral3.3%
Negative17.3%
Written reviews458 reviews
Positive63.5%
Neutral9.6%
Negative26.9%

Dead Cells

All ratings12,164 ratings
Positive95.6%
Neutral1.5%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews1,780 reviews
Positive88.5%
Neutral3.6%
Negative7.9%

User reviews

XCOM 2 Collection

From 860 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth performance
  • 🎮 Excellent mobile controls
  • 💎 Full game experience with DLC
  • 👍 Faithful port of PC version

Room to improve

  • 🔋 High battery drain
  • 🔍 Graphical downgrade from PC
  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🤔 Difficulty with double-tap movement

Dead Cells

From 12K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 👍 Excellent controls
  • 💎 High-quality graphics
  • 🎮 Great controller support
  • 🔥 Addictive and challenging

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Audio glitches and bugs
  • 🤔 Lack of custom mode
  • 📱 Finicky touch controls
  • 🔇 No background music support

Bugs and requests

XCOM 2 Collection

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to change equipment
  • Crashes on certain missions
  • Disappearing save files
  • Issues with device compatibility

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add controller support
  • Provide option to disable War of the Chosen
  • Improve camera controls and UI
  • Add more graphical settings

Dead Cells

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Saves not compatible across platforms
  • Texture and graphical issues on some devices
  • Persistent memory leaks causing performance drops

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add Chinese language support
  • Implement cross-save functionality
  • Introduce online multiplayer mode
  • Optimize for older devices

In-app purchases

None

XCOM 2 Collection

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Dead Cells

One-time4
  • The Bad Seed$3.99
  • Fatal Falls$3.99
  • The Queen and the Sea$3.99
Show 1 more
  • Return to Castlevania$6.99

Questions

Is XCOM 2 Collection free?
XCOM 2 Collection costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dead Cells free?
Dead Cells costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, XCOM 2 Collection or Dead Cells?
Dead Cells is rated higher. XCOM 2 Collection averages 4.2 out of 5 from 860 ratings, while Dead Cells averages 4.8 from 12K ratings.
Do XCOM 2 Collection or Dead Cells have ads?
Neither XCOM 2 Collection nor Dead Cells shows ads.
Which is updated more often, XCOM 2 Collection or Dead Cells?
XCOM 2 Collection ships an update monthly, and Dead Cells every 5 weeks. Most recently, XCOM 2 Collection was updated on September 29, 2026 and Dead Cells on October 1, 2026.
Which is more popular, XCOM 2 Collection or Dead Cells?
XCOM 2 Collection currently peaks at #35 in the App Store charts, and Dead Cells at #8. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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