Cuphead is a side-scrolling, run and gun video game where you (and possibly another player) play as Cuphead, who has made a deal with the Devil, to progress through levels in different world to eventually beat the Devil. It’s a game I have yet to finish due to its difficulty, but I always find myself going back to.
In Cuphead, there are many mechanics that make the game very interesting and engaging by creating a challenge. Firstly, this game is structured as a level-by-level playthrough through a series of different worlds with a run and gun mechanic. The character you are playing as, Cuphead, has only 3 “lives” or chances to be hit by an enemy,; this mechanic which creates a unique challenge to progress through the level basically unscathed. Furthermore, after the completion of each level, players receive a letter grade based on their performance of the level, which motivates players to do well, even on challenging levels. All of these mechanics add to the overall aesthetic of challenge in the game, as the levels and bosses get increasingly more difficult as the game continues (I’ve never beaten the entire game due to how difficult it is!). The overall mechanic of run-and-gun becomes particularly strategic as you can equip different types of finger guns, and it is up to you to strategize which finger guns work best against different bosses and scenarios!
Cuphead also serves as a great vessel for both fantasy and narrative. The story starts off with Cuphead and his brother Mughead, who make a deal with the Devil and lose, and therefore must collect the souls of different creatures, who are all bosses in their respective worlds. The story progresses and the plot thickens as you play through each level, and the story is told through a very traditional storybook manner, which creates a great sense of narrative, as you work your way through beating the bosses to finally fighting the Devil himself. There are also a lot of fantastical elements woven into the mechanics of the game; the bosses are a mix of magical creatures and objects come to life, including a headless mermaid, a deck of cards, and even a hotdog. Every world and level has enemies unique to the “place” the world is in, which includes places such as the ocean, a casino, and a carnival.
I also particularly enjoyed the game for its amazing visuals and soundtrack, which also adds to the aesthetic of sensation. The game consists of very traditional 2d illustrations which are very reminiscent of 1930s-style American cartoon animation, which I found very refreshing to engage with. I was impressed with the level of details in the background of the game as well as how amazing the character designs were, and the music incorporated in each level was unique and engaging. Overall, it is one of my favorite games in terms of visual design!
