Cuphead: A Well-Stylized and Challenging Platformer

Cuphead is finally here, a game that is inspired by rubber hose animation. A more unique game that has its own spin on run and gun platforming games like Contra and the Metal Slug series. Now that we're here in the studio, we can take a look at the new challenging game that has captured the hearts of many gamers.

Yes, the story starts off in a book. This opening will get your attention when you first start off.

Let's talk about the story. The story is about our titular heroes, Cuphead and Mugman (who's available to play as in co-op) who after losing a bet with the Devil himself, must gather the contracts of the Runaway Debtors in order to save their own souls. The story itself is of course simple and predictable. You must defeat the bosses, get power-ups, go through these wacky levels, and simply defeat the Devil at the end of the game. This information is not a spoiler.

Would you play dice with this man?

Now that the story is out of the way, let's get into presentation. From start to finish, the game genuinely looks and feels like a game made from the golden age of cartoons, the 1930s. Everything from the characters, the music, the sound effects. Everything just feels so right. The smooth and jazzy piano tunes sound so perfect in about every level in the game, you just can't dislike it.

Every single frame of animation in Cuphead looks so GOOD

Let's get into the actual gameplay. The game has a cute-looking overworld where you walk around on. The on the painted overworld, you come across some animated objects that contrast well from the background, which is a reference to how things are animated which I find hilarious. You can talk to various npcs which will give you information about the world and go to a shop owned by a pig who is one of the few characters that has a voiceline in the game hilariously enough.

"WELCOME," said the shopkeeper who sounds like he's talking through a tube.

In the Run 'n Gun levels, you must go through an entire level without dying. It's simple, so simple that if you take too much damage, from the massive bombardment of enemies constantly attacking you, you must start the whole level over. No checkpoints, no coins to keep you going, do the level again. I love it! Each level has a unique set of enemies and all play differently. One level, you must jump over some holes in a tree while a woodpecker attacks you, and in another level you have to fight through a funhouse while jumping back and forth from walking on top and bottom screen.

You see, he's a carrot with psychic abilities because carrots give you good eyesight.

Now the boss battles are a different story. They take up most of the game not only since there are more bosses than Run 'n Gun levels, they are pretty damn difficult. You will never beat a boss your fist time meeting them. They all have different abilities and goofy gimmicks that players won't expect unless they're either really good, or have beaten them before. If you're like me, you'll take about thirty minutes beating a candy castle, which I won't spoil for you. The game is also nice enough to show you your progress with fighting each boss if you die, so you'll know that you can beat them. Not only are they fun and difficult to fight, they are all so unique and are lovely on the eyes. One of the reasons I wanted to beat a boss is to see what they'll do next.

It's also worth it to beat the bosses just to wipe that mug off their face. Take them down a notch.

With all that said, Cuphead is an amazing game that will challenge everything you know about platformers. If you like cartoons, animation, boss battles, silly quotes, and 1930s references, you'll love Cuphead.