Cuphead

Cuphead is one of the most visually stunning games I’ve ever played. The hand-drawn animation and 1930s cartoon style are just a joy to watch. The boss battles are intense and unique, but the difficulty is no joke. It’s a tough game, but the challenge feels fair, and each victory feels earned. However, the lack of variety in the levels might turn some off, and the game can feel repetitive at times. Still, it’s a must-play for those who love a good challenge.

Cuphead isn't a title for the faint of heart. Of course, no game can suit everybody's tastes, but this one is specifically tailored to those who enjoy relentless boss rush action and an hefty challenge. There are run and gun platforming stages too, and they're just as fiendish in their own way, but the bosses are the stars of the show.

The Ye Olde animation is sublimely done, and it's a treat to watch the transformations, unpredictable attacks and funny little references that make up each battle and stage. It's rather brutal that the easier mode doesn't technically allow the player to progress (because the all-important Soul Contracts can't be collected from your foes in this mode), being more of a practise option, but fiddling with builds and trying over and over again is what Cuphead is all about. If you're committed to getting the highest grades for each boss battle, there's potentially a lot of gameplay to enjoy here.

It might seem odd to view Cuphead as a relaxing title, but it's genuinely a title I always go to when I want to kick back and chill. I don't need to traverse anything complex to get a good time out of Cuphead, I can just hop right into an incredible boss fight with some of the best art I've ever seen in a game. It's old hat to call Cuphead visually stunning, but it's true! Every corner of the game shows just how dedicated the team at MDHR are to paying homage to the rubber-hose era of animation. From its superb animation to its unforgettable soundtrack, Cuphead is a stylistic powerhouse.

That's not all folks, however, as Cuphead is both incredibly tough and incredibly tight from a controls and design perspective. Every movement feels responsive and you feel responsible for (almost) every slip-up. Dying in Cuphead rarely feels infuriating to me, as just playing the game is a reward in-and-of itself. However, finally conquering a boss that's been giving you trouble is always satisfying.

Cuphead is a near-perfect boss-rush platformer, and I can't wait to see what MDHR does next.