Cuphead – The Dark Souls of Disney World [REVIEW]

Finally after years in the making Cuphead is out, and everyone has only one question on their mind. Was it worth the wait? Can this three person’s team endeavor finally add some new spice to the Xbox One’s exclusive library, or is it a massive dud that will take down the developers?

The concept of boss rush battles has been on the resurgence with Titan Souls and even Furi from last year. However, while boss rush games are fun, most of the recent attempts were shall we say, less than visually appealing. They were great regarding gameplay, but there were parts that lacked the polish.This time rather than a just low-budget indie game, with okay graphics, and boss designs that usually copy of Dark Souls – we get a 1930s animation with bosses that are unique with multiple phases, and different scenery at every boss. The result is something unique that I have not seen in a long time.

Dealing with The Devil

The story of Cuphead is a rather simple one. Cuphead and Mugman are two brothers on Inkwell Isles. Gleefully enjoying their carefree days, but one day they wander into a Casino, run by the King of Dice. After many bets, and wins, Cupman and Mugman are faced with the final bet, all of the Casino’s money if they win, or their souls if they lose. Naturally, they lose, and they begin to beg for their lives and try to get out of their unlucky fate. As such they must go on a quest and hunt down those who owe their soul to the Devil. Thus begins the journey for our two cups, and they must defeat all of the bosses on three separate worlds within Inkwell Isles.

The story is not that special, and nobody should expect twists for the storyline throughout the gameplay. In fact, the core gameplay can be divided into two distinct parts. The Run n Gun sections where you have to reach the end of the stage while avoiding stage hazards, and killing enemies that cross your path. While there are no bosses at the end of the level, or not as long boss battles, it does provide the player with coins that can be used at the shop as currency.

Hit the weak point!

The second part is the boss battles, which are multiple phases, plus can be quite tough. All bosses have unique move sets, minions that they might spawn. These battles are chaotic, fast-paced and exhilarating to say the least. The bosses themselves are full of variety, from a garden full of giant vegetables to a circus clown that transforms to carnival machines, and to a Genie that can bend time and space to its will. The phases are also not long-winded, and if you fail, you can instantly jump back (even if you start from the beginning).

A boss fight can last up to around two or three minutes, so for those who are worried about ten or twenty minutes, long battles can rest easy. However there is a lot of memorization involved with these encounters, as the player only has three lives (four if you pick up the upgrade), and sometimes losing a health can ruin an entire run. It really depends on when the player loses health, as losing them near the end can still allow for survival. The player can also choose between multiple different shooting methods, plus there are special abilities, and finally super strikes. While it might not seem much, all of the bosses need to be approached carefully, as some phases can be insanely difficult.

Items can be unlocked via coins in the shops and open up the gameplay significantly. However none of these items will make the player overpowered, they only make the gameplay different.

Mickey Mouse would be jealous

The graphics are a sight to behold, and one of the best stylistic choices I have seen in a long time. It is as if you are really in a 1930s cartoon. There is really not much to talk about here, as even on a 4K TV it looks awesome. The design of the monsters is superb, the effects are also excellent, and the environments are varied, and do not bore the player. The sound design and music is also on point and mimics the 1930s as best as they could. In fact, there are times when too many things are happening, like the effects, monster phases, and lasers that Mugman and Cupman shoots, can fill the screen pretty quickly.

So while the game does have a local co-op option, it is not always the most fun part of the game. Two players, plus the boss, and the heavy effects can result in frustration and make the game harder as it is. Also, there are bosses that at times do not do anything, or (at least during my playthrough), certain bosses would not be damaged. While this did not happen often, it does ruin the final phases of a boss.

One more cup, please!

In the end, Cuphead is a worthy console exclusive for the Xbox and provides hours of fun plus some frustration due to its difficult nature. While it lacks a great story, and while the gameplay is simple, but the boss fights are fun. Cuphead provides endless fun for the player especially for such a low price. Cuphead is a must buy for all those who love challenging platformers with epic boss fights.

-Dante-

A well worth wait for such a great game has some bugs, but it is a near spotless game

Developer: StudioMDHR Entertainment
Publisher: StudioMDHR Entertainment
Genre: Run and Gun

Release Date: 29th of September 2017

Pro:

Great visual style
Epic boss battles with multiple phases
Superb music and sound effects

Con:

Some bosses can become bugged
Can be quite frustrating
Two-player co-op is at time too chaotic

Gameplay: 89
Graphics: 93
Story: 53
Music/Audio: 96
Ambiance: 91

Total: 92