I believe this game should really be seen as a collection of "boss challenges" in the style of retro 2D shooters such as Contra/Probotector or even R-Type. The game has a two-player cooperative mode that adds another human player to the single-player boss battles playing as Mugman."Īs far as I understand this and there are no gameplay videos to say otherwise, there are no side scrolling platforming levels as each location you visit is a 'single screen' boss fight. The levels are accessible through an action RPG-style world map with its own secret areas. Cuphead has a parry abillity and parrying various color coded objects will fill up a special meter that will enable Cuphead to perform a special move. Cuphead has infinite lives and keeps weapons between deaths. The game features a branching level sequence and is based around continuous boss fights. As the titular Cuphead, the player loses a bet with the devil and spends the game attempting to repay the bet. The official gameplay description is as follows. This is what seems to confuse me somewhat and I am hoping people are only bringing up the comparison based on their love of "nice" art styles and not the side scrolling platforming gameplay that said games are in/famous for. Most forums I go on people seem to bring up Ori or Megaman as comparisons. Although that's not surprising considering Cuphead takes it's inspiration from early Warner and Disney. The only games that I can think of that come close visually are old Disney Mickey Mouse games on Sega devices. The art in the style of 1930 cartoons is definitely unique which to be honest in this day and age is very surprising it has not been done before. Like most people I have fallen in love with the art style of Cuphead but I do have some concerns about the gameplay, or maybe to better explain it I have concerns on what the media and fans so far seem to believe what it will be like.