Summary
Despite a recent barrage of pretenders to its throne,Cuphead’s presentation and gameplay have remained an unmatched duo. With the title being as popular as ever, it would be a crying shame if theCupheadfranchise took its final bow so soon.
Released back in 2017,Cupheadhas maintained its reputationalmost 7 years later. The game has a respectable merchandise empire under its belt, as well as a hit Netflix show and an incredible DLC package that beats out the base game in many areas. Studio MDHR has consistently demonstrated not only an impeccable ability to imitate the look and feeling of animation’s golden age, but a willingness to develop upon a strong gameplay foundation. Though it may be tough-as-nails,Cupheadis nevertheless a game that feels fun to chip away at—even after a losing streak.
Cuphead’s DLC,Delicious Last Course, was delayed for years before a release in 2022—and it was well worth the wait. The new isle is filled with substantial content and a final boss that’s no slouch, making for an excellent sendoff to the game. On the other hand,Cupheadis frankly too good of a game to just pack up and go. Though there are many franchises that ought to have quit while they’re ahead, and the game is by no means going out on a low note as is, the title is bursting at the seams with sequel potential.
A (More) Final Showdown Is Still On The Cards
Chef Saltbaker isa terrific finale toCuphead’s DLC; though the twist concerning him is predictable, his fight is definitely the toughest in the game. His first phase is a gorgeously-realized bullet hell that requires fans to have mastered the title’s tight controls, while his next three phases test the player’s endurance with more projectiles, sudden attacks, and a vertical race against time in a pocket dimension of salt and glass. Despite the battle’s difficulty, it’s also one of the most fun scraps to play through, something that more than makes up for how often players will need to repeat the stage.
However, the game could definitely aim higher. Chef Saltbaker may bea great capstone toCuphead, but he still feels like a side quest. He has no relation to the base game’s plot regarding The Devil, so the smaller adventure that is the DLC can’t help but seem like a digression (albeit a great one). TheCupheadcartoon produced more ideas for what schemes The Devil could use, such as roping in the Four Horsemen, which are ripe for pilfering. Furthermore, a higher power that sits above The Devil could be called in to put a stop to Cuphead and Mugman. Any of these ideas could be used to produce a true sense of finality.
Cuphead’s DLC introduced some great new weapons, but one of them is a tad problematic. Crackshot is a fun option with a lot of versatility, combining a chaser shot with high damage on a direct hit. Unfortunately, it’s a little too good; its damage is too reliable, lacking the drawbacks of many competitors.
A sequel with a nerfed or removed crackshot would be a solid plan, but it still wouldn’t be a great loss if the weapon was kept as is. The most important thing a sequel should do is produce more of the same;Cuphead’s art and gameplay are already fantastic, so fans really just want new challenges in the same format. Still, some small polish in terms of balance and RNG would be welcome.
Cuphead
WHERE TO PLAY
Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era, i.e. traditional hand drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz recordings.Play as Cuphead or Mugman (in single player or local co-op) as you traverse strange worlds, acquire new weapons, learn powerful super moves, and discover hidden secrets while you try to pay your debt back to the devil!
