The art style and music are in perfect sync, but the gameplay and progression fall short. However, gameplay-wise, it sometimes left me feeling out of the loop.Ĭuphead keeps you on the outside. That makes thematic sense, since, for all of Cuphead’s cuteness, he’s there to kill everything and gather souls for the Devil (naturally). It’s cute and it all sounds like a big party, but it’s a party that doesn’t necessarily want or need you there. So while it’s gorgeous to look at, it’s also playfully murderous. Regardless, it's a powerful motivator to keep trying as you literally see yourself getting better with each attempt.Yes, the lady riding the angry cake just threw a spinning copy of her own head at me. Seeing that a boss was only a shot or two away from falling can be equal parts inspiring and infuriating. Sweetening the bitter spoonfuls of defeat is a wonderful progress meter that illustrates exactly how far players progressed during a fight. If you have a friend that’s up to the challenge, conquering foes in co-op play can be a raucous blast. The steep difficulty only makes each victory feel like a well-earned accomplishment. Boss patterns are relatively easy to decipher, so you can always tell where you went wrong. But no matter how crushing the loss, nothing ever feels cheap. Make no mistake: Cuphead is a very hard game. That’s because, despite their whimsical veneer, overcoming bosses demands a high level of timing, precision, and, most of all, patience. Watching them take on even wackier forms throughout the fight is both exciting and terrifying. From a sweets-loving princess who chucks her own head to pugilist frogs that merge into a giant slot machine, no two bosses are alike. Expect a sore thumb after holding down the Joy-Con’s tiny fire button during longer sessions.Ī rogue’s gallery of elaborate boss battles act as the game’s centerpiece and remain among of the most imaginative in gaming. The only drawback of playing undocked comes from the hardware side. Super crisp resolution didn’t exist 80 years ago, after all. In fact, the smaller screen’s lower resolution actually compliments the vintage presentation. The game never skips a beat while playing in handheld mode as well. Finger-gunning down foes and nailing the snappy parry move feels as smooth as it did on Xbox and PC.
Related: Katana ZERO Review - Mesmerizing Swordplay Dripping with StyleĬuphead’s run-and-gun side-scrolling gameplay takes inspiration from classics such as Contra and Mega Man. A varied and boisterous jazz soundtrack, one of the best in recent years, bolsters the incredible presentation. Smaller touches like the flickering film grain and muffled sound bites further sell the idea that you’re playing a cartoon from yesteryear. Cuphead’s old-school art regularly turns heads and for good reason: it looks fantastic and unlike anything else out there. The duo must collect the soul contracts of the dark lord's other debtors or face eternal servitude.
If this is your first rodeo, Cuphead and his pal Mugman wind up in hot water after an ill-fated night of gambling leads to a forced deal with the Devil. The Nintendo faithful will find to plenty to love (and loathe) about Studio MDHR’s deceptively tough platformer a game that’s much more than a pretty face.
That high quality hasn’t diminished in its move to the Switch. The game remains an immensely enjoyable and challenging romp at home or on the go.Ĭuphead earned praise and mild infamy in 2017 for its faithful homage to 1930’s animation and its polished but challenging gameplay. Cuphead and Mugman haven't lost a step in their move to Switch.