Back when Studio MDHR first released Cuphead in September 2017 it felt like a really special moment. Everyone had seen footage of the stunning 1930’s Disney cartoon-style graphics, along with some hardcore platforming at previous E3 showcases and it had created a fully deserved buzz. Now, nearly three years and a Nintendo Switch port later, the game is arriving on PlayStation 4. The game is published by Canadian based Popagenda who are on a roll recently after bringing us the excellent Bloodroots earlier in the year.
STORY
The plot is light and charming. Cuphead and his brother Mugman are two boisterous young cups who live under the watchful eye of Elder Kettle. The two cups break the rules and enter the Devil’s Casino to play craps. At first, everything is going well as the two youngsters fill their cups with cash. That is until the Devil appears and decides to up the stakes. One roll. All or nothing. They either get all the money in the casino or the Devil takes their souls.
As luck would have it they lose, which puts in place the narrative for the game. The Devil is willing to let the pair keep their souls if they scoot around and collect a bunch of “soul contracts” by midnight the next day. After explaining the predicament to Elder Kettle he gives them a potion that allows them to fire blasts from their fingers to help on their journey. Equipped with their new power it’s time to set off and save their souls.
GAMEPLAY
As you might have guessed here, the gameplay is king. The controls are ultra-tight and responsive. There’s not much to learn on the surface, with a jump, shoot and dash your main inputs. The simplicity of the controls almost lures you into a false sense of security though, as the game is extremely difficult from the off.
You get the option to lower the difficulty during the highly inventive boss fights which definitely gives you a fighting chance, but unfortunately, that luxury is not extended to the run and gun levels. Mitigating the frustration of the game difficulty is the ability to restart instantly with no load times. During the run and gun levels when you die you also have an on-screen meter that shows you how far through the level you got which is a nice indicator of how well you are doing.
One negative I do have on the gameplay is the lack of controller feedback when shooting at enemies. This is especially noticeable during the boss fights as at times you are left wondering if you are dealing any damage at all. Other actions such as losing a health point do result in a slight controller vibration so this must have been a design choice, but it feels odd to me.
GRAPHICS & PERFORMANCE
Quite simply, this game is stunning. Studio MDHR has done an incredible job of making the whole thing look like an old 1930’s Disney cartoon. The personality just oozes out of the screen, from the terrific enemy design to the hand-painted backgrounds. It’s so unlike anything I have ever played before and has become one of the most recognisable games since it’s PC/Xbox release in 2017. Performance is buttery smooth which was vital to the precision of the gameplay.
VALUE
On one hand, I feel this is a game that everyone should own because it’s so unique and beautiful. However, I am cautious that for many gamers it may just be too difficult. I legitimately know multiple people who own this game on various devices and have been unable to complete more than two levels. There is a concern that you could buy it and tap out due to frustration pretty early on. The £15.99 price point is a good one though, so I would recommend the game to anyone with an appreciation of platformers.
TROPHIES
Getting the platinum in Cuphead is a real badge of honour. Completing the game itself is just the start. You also need to do it on expert mode and get A-ranks or higher on every boss. If however you are some kind of ninja platformer it can be done in a swift three hours.
OVERALL
Overall I really liked Cuphead. While not having the skills to finish the game – yet – I will be plugging away at it. It’s a mountain and I am determined to reach the summit. The game has one of the best art styles I have ever seen and while I do wish there was an ‘easy mode’ so that more people could enjoy what Studio MDHR has created here, it’s impossible not to admire the execution.
-Terry
A review code for this product was kindly provided by the publisher. Reviewed on PS4 Slim.