Cuphead

A game adaptation of a well-loved iconic cartoon

Cuphead is a premium action game that combines shoot-'em up and platforming mechanics. Developed by StudioMDHR, the game stands out mainly for its artistic style, inspired by the classic cartoon of the same name. 

This little indie gem will transport you to another era full of color and jazz music. Here, you will play as Cuphead or his brother Mugman and traverse through a strange world as you try to pay your debt back to the Devil. Employing the visual techniques of the 1930s era, Cuphead is designed to evoke nostalgia among players. 

What is Cuphead?

Cuphead is a classic action game inspired by cartoons of the 1930s. The story of the game revolves around brothers, Cuphead and Mugman. In the game, the brothers made one too many poorly thought-out bets. In the end, they find themselves indebted to the Devil himself. To keep their souls from Lucifer's hands, they must venture across fantasy worlds and battle all manner of creatures to recover runaway souls.

The mobile Cuphead follows the same premise as the original title, with its gameplay revolving around run 'n gun mechanics and focusing heavily on boss battles. The attacks involve parry, dash, and a few special attacks. However, while the controls are easy to learn, mastering them is harder. Unlike other similar games, 90% of winning is down to learning the boss's movement patterns.

Both the desktop and mobile versions of the game utilize the same graphics. With this, expect to see 1930s-style visuals and audio, including traditional hand-drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz recordings. The music, composed by Kris Maddigan, is a faithful reflection of the musical style of the past era, making it seem like you are fully immersed in a cartoon movie. However, players should also expect repetitive gameplay.

A fun game for two

The game mechanics are designed to be both challenging and fair, offering players infinite lives and the ability to retain all equipped gear between deaths. Players can enhance their capabilities by purchasing various weapons and special abilities, known as Charms, from Porkrind's Emporium. Coins scattered throughout levels serve as the currency, providing a strategic layer to gameplay as players must wisely choose their enhancements to conquer increasingly difficult stages.

Moreover, the game features an overworld with a top-down perspective, populated with hidden secrets and accessed levels. It also includes a local two-player co-op mode. After beating a level, players receive a grade based on several performance factors, such as completion time, remaining hit points, successful parries, and super meter usage. This grading system adds a competitive and replayable aspect, encouraging players to master their skills and achieve higher scores.

Don't make deals with the Devil

Overall, Cuphead is an exceptional title that knows how to use the magic of the past to its advantage without being outdated or obsolete. Its incredible art style combined with its soundtrack will make it seem like you're watching a cartoon series instead of playing a video game. If you're looking for a challenging and unique gaming experience, don't hesitate to delve into this magical game world.