Cuphead is one of the coolest games to look at. Perfectly emulating the art style of classic cartoons from the 1930s, Cuphead is so good looking, I found myself getting distracted from the actual game.
Mixing many different genres and game styles, Cuphead’s demo at PAX East had multiple boss battles to tackle. One fight against several different oversized vegetables played out like a classic boss brawl, with players having to learn patterns to avoid attacks. A second battle was similar to a shmup game, with players flying airplanes to take out an evil, flying shapeshifting monster.
Playing Cuphead will be familiar to anyone raised on 2D NES games. The boss is typically on the right side of the screen, with our hero on the left. Anyone who has played a Mega Man game will figure out the jumping, shooting and movement needed to best any boss after an attempt or two at learning the right patterns.
These boss battles were all wrapped together thanks to a large overworld where players can wander from stage to stage: think the map in Super Mario Bros. 3. From this overworld, players will also be able to access a shop to spend their hard-earned cash on upgrades and new weapons.
While only boss battles were featured in the demo, there will also be platforming stages as well. These stages are going to be most similar to Contra, with enemies and platforming challenges mixed together. These platforming stages will unlock new areas in the overworld while also providing players with the money needed to buy upgrades.
Along with the visuals and gameplay, Cuphead also features a jazz soundtrack befitting the era that inspired its graphics. Sound effects also seem like they have lept from scratchy, old speakers or a phonograph horn. Providing a big swing sound, the audio really helped sell the art style and animations.
Perhaps the best part about Cuphead, after the visuals, is the fact that it is entirely possible to play with a second player tagging along. Two player co-op is fun to play with a partner, and little touches like being able to revive dead teammates adds to the fun.
There’s still no formal release date for Cuphead yet, but it is still on target for a 2016 release. Cuphead will be coming to Xbox One and Windows 10, with ports to Mac and Linux being considered for the future.
So what do you think? Are you a fan of the distinctive Cuphead artstyle? Are you ready to blow bosses like giant carrots and flowers away? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
