After so many years of waiting, the MDHR studio finally delivers us from this curse with the arrival of the Cuphead add-on. His last appearance during the Summer Game Fest had made our mouths water, while confirming the requirement of his gameplay. The whole question is whether once the controller is in hand, the result meets our expectations. We still keep in mind that this is a DLC at the displayed price of 7.99 euros.
New recipe
The Cuphead brothers and Mugman enjoy a well-deserved rest after so much effort. This truce does not last long since they are approached by Ms. Chalice who needs help to carry out a mysterious quest. Our heroes are then instructed by Chef Saltbaker to gather the ingredients needed to create a secret recipe. So here we are on a new watercolor island full of challenges and formidable bosses, access to which is only possible, however, after passing the first two bosses of the base game in order to access the pier.
The arrival of Ms.Chalice in the team is not only cosmetic. This new character brings its own game mechanics. It is now possible to perform a double jump, make rush parries as well as dodge using a roll. The possibility of embodying this character in the basic game also raises the challenge by allowing a “rereading” of the original bosses. Good news never comes alone, new weapons and new charms are appearing in the shop. This DLC is therefore not just a simple addition of levels but it also comes to refresh the whole game. It should be noted that when playing as Ms. Chalice it is not possible to equip ‘a charm. An additional difficulty of which it will be necessary to measure all the consequences in its choices.
It always cartoon
The artistic direction inspired by 1930s cartoons still has its effect. The level design of the new bosses is rich and a lot of things happen on the screen without it being messy. It is necessary to show a very great concentration during the fights as these are animated. So as not to lose the rhythm during the action phases, the music is still just as groovy, somewhere between furious Charleston and supercharged jazz-band. The patterns have also been the subject of remarkable work and even if they seem to have been designed for the gameplay of Ms. Chalice, it is quite possible to overcome them with Cuphead or Mugman.
Like the basic game, you should not rely on the easy mode to take a shortcut because only the normal mode allows you to validate a victory. It’s still a good way to familiarize yourself with the opponent even if the patterns are simplified and don’t reflect the real challenge that awaits us.
Local co-op is also possible. Although it requires an extra effort of concentration not to get lost in the animations, it is always so pleasant to go into battle with a friend. Bad faith session guaranteed…
If it was necessary to collect coins in the levels in run and gun in order to be able to shop, it will be necessary here to take up the challenges of the king. This tournament mode does not allow any weapons or charms (except to embody Ms. Chalice). Each challenge offers the player a different mechanic. Whether by decapitating lanterns or carrying blows with parades for example, each stage is renewed.
The cherry is missing
It is difficult to estimate the lifespan of a game as demanding as Cuphead. Defeating the new bosses, however, takes no more than 4-5 hours. This lifespan is extended by the king’s tournament mode as well as by the replayability of old levels with the new gameplay of Ms.Chalice. The Last Delicious Course brings its share of novelties but we still regret the absence of run and gun levels. Achievement hunters will also have plenty to do with the 14 new challenges introduced by the DLC.
Tested on Xbox Series X.
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