Cuphead:

80 years in the making

“Don’t deal with the Devil!” is the catchy slogan for this new run and gun action game. Cuphead is a game recently released by StudioMDHR Entertainment Inc., that has had overwhelmingly positive reviews. If you enjoy hand-drawn visuals, jazz recordings, and solid gameplay, this game is for you.

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Cuphead takes place in a 1930’s cartoon, where Cuphead and Mugman live with a man called Elder Kettle. Despite his warnings, the two go off to play in the Devil’s casino. After making a bet with the Devil himself, and losing, Cuphead must go throughout the world and collect contracts for the souls of the Devil’s debtors, lest Cuphead and Mugman forfeit their own souls. There are three lands to explore, each with unique boss battles as well as a few run and gun levels. Finding secrets, acquiring new weapons and learning super powerful moves will be essential to completing the game.

 

While the game is considered a run and gun shooter, it heavily focuses on the boss’ battles with the Devil’s debtors. The enemies are unique, from fighting a clown in a demonic circus to a genie in a lamp, each battle will have you learning patterns and brushing up on your skills for the final battle with the Devil himself.

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Gameplay is similar to classic shooters, such as Contra and Megaman. You have a selection between different somewhat unique weapons, each suited for certain situations you may find yourself in. There are also many power-ups you can obtain to make the game easier.

 

The gameplay is fantastic, but what really catches the eye of players are the visuals. As stated previously, everything in the game is hand-drawn. The backgrounds were painted with watercolors, really giving it that old-school cartoon feel. The animations can only be compared to early Mickey Mouse cartoons, with the characters bouncing up and down to the music, and characters doing things that would only be possible in the cartoon world. Despite the game being a cartoon, it also has the humor of the 1930’s, with a lot of cartoon violence, as well as an abundance of references to alcohol and cigarettes.

 

Cuphead is only available on both Steam and the Xbox One, for only $20 on each platform, which is a phenomenal deal for the game you get for your buck. The game features a couch co-op, which is rare to see in more recent games. If you are looking for a good, difficult game for a great price, I would highly recommend Cuphead.