Cuphead

Cuphead is a single-player and multiplayer run-and-gun action platformer game. The story begins on Inkwell Isle, where Cuphead and his brother Mugman lose a wager with the Devil at his casino. To save themselves from losing their souls, the two brothers agree to collect the soul contracts of other debtors scattered across the land. The player takes control of either Cuphead or Mugman and embarks on a dangerous journey through strange worlds filled with hostile creatures and powerful bosses. The objective is to defeat these opponents, recover their contracts, and ultimately face the Devil himself.

The presentation is designed to resemble a 1930s cartoon. Characters, backgrounds, and animations are hand-drawn with techniques inspired by early animation, accompanied by a jazz and big band soundtrack. The game world is divided into several themed islands that serve as hub areas. From these maps, the player chooses levels and boss encounters. While the premise is linear, the structure allows some freedom in which bosses or stages to challenge next. The narrative is conveyed through short scenes and stylized animation, with the focus placed on action rather than extended storytelling.

Gameplay emphasizes precision shooting and dodging in side-scrolling stages and elaborate boss battles. Each character is equipped with a finger-gun that fires projectiles indefinitely, and players can equip alternate shot types with different behaviors such as spread fire or homing bullets. Many encounters require memorizing attack patterns and reacting with quick movement, jumping, and parrying. Parrying is a key mechanic that allows characters to deflect pink-colored projectiles or objects, filling a special meter that powers stronger attacks or a super move.

Progression is tied to overcoming increasingly difficult enemies. Completing levels and defeating bosses grants coins and unlocks new regions of the overworld. Coins can be spent in shops to purchase alternate weapons and charms, which provide passive abilities such as extra hit points or faster movement. Boss fights often feature multiple phases with changing attack patterns, requiring adaptation and mastery of both reflexes and strategy. Unlike many action games, enemies do not drop health or power-ups during battles.

Platforming levels supplement the boss battles and provide additional coins. These stages combine run-and-gun mechanics with vertical or horizontal scrolling environments, filled with enemies, hazards, and obstacles. They are less central to progression than the bosses but reward exploration and offer variety in gameplay. Completing levels and contracts eventually opens the way to new islands and the final challenges.

The game can be played solo or cooperatively with two players on the same screen. In co-op, each player controls one of the brothers, and defeated players can be revived by parrying their departing spirit before it leaves the screen.