Cuphead Standard Edition - Xbox One [Digital]

I bought my son an XBox one S for christmas and it has hardly been played. I was hoping that there would be a physical release, especially if it came to Playstation. He has asked for this game repeatedly, and I knew he wouldn't actually play it, but I found a Physical case in store for Cuphead. I knew it was a download code, and with my GCU discount, it would have been $15.99 instead of the $19.99 that it was on Xbox live, so i bought it, and Bloodborne for PS4, only the store didn't want to honor my 20% discount. they called a manager over that tried to tell me that games under $20 didn't qualify. After telling them why they were wrong, I said that I would just tae it up with someone else later. Anyway, i got home, and saw that to download it, you had to redeem the code on the microsoft store. After insuring that my son's Xbox and his PC were on the same account, I redeemed the code (BEWARE: The code is on the receipt, and not in the case!!), and it was instantly available on his Xbox and PC. the case also included one of five different art cell collectibles. Best Buy rectified the price issue with a gift card.

First off, this game's production value is through the roof. The 1930's art, animation and music style is so on point that it can be a bit eerie at times. It's reminiscent of old Steamboat Mickey, Betty Boop and Popeye cartoons of yore. It looks like you are watching an actual cartoon. However you should know that this is NOT an easy to play game at all. Perhaps one of the hardest games I've played in recent memory. You will probably die at least 10 times before you can clear just one level. My kids wanted to love this game so bad but it literally brought them to tears within the first 20 mins. They were begging for the pain to stop. Now when I mention the name Cuphead they give me a look of pure disgust. That being said, the game's not a lost cause. If you are persistent enough and research gameplay tips via google and youtube you just might be able to clear a level or two. I'd suggest changing your controller scheme if you find the controls funky. Polygon had a pretty good scheme they've shared in an article. My other suggestion is to use your in-game coins wisely. Purchase the "gas bomb dash" move first, as it's integral to getting through this game. It will allow you to avoid damage as you dash past enemies. Then either get an extra HP or the "Roundabout" weapon. It takes some getting used to but it's the largest projectile and has a boomerang effect that if held down as you play, will probably randomly save you from cheap kills as you run n' gun your way to the finish line. Last tip is the most important... PINK projectiles and enemies can be parried. In this game you NEED to Parry ALL the time in order to build up your power shots and even quickly revive a pal whos been "ghosted". My very last tip is to remember the enemy patterns as you go through levels. The bosses have patterns too but some are randomized. These are just a few minor tips, but honestly the only way to succeed in this game. So just understand this will NOT be an easy game. At all. But! If you give it some practice you will be able to stay long enough to enjoy it's charm. The developers actually hand drew everything and recorded actual live jazz bands to make this as authentic as possible to the 1930's cartoon style, and for that I give this game a fifth star. I love the idea and am planning to do my best at finishing it. But it'll take a lot of convincing to get my kids to even look at the game again. Good luck!

I've been looking forward to Cuphead for a long time now. The art style always grabbed me and refused to let go. The game looks like a 1930s-1940s cartoon with modern colors. The enemies are varied and weird and the boss battles are memorable as heck. However, this game takes it's cues from the old school games that you may or may not have played in the 1980s and 1990s. If you ever spent hours upon hours playing old school games like Ghosts 'n Goblins or Contra dying constantly and screaming with rage at times. Well...this is THAT type of game. This is the type of game that you MUST master the controls and timing and even then the video game gods will curse you. You will have a flawless run going through the level and BAM! you lose your health from a couple of unlucky hits from enemies. It can drive you up the wall, especially when you see how close you were to the end. However, the euphoria you feel when you finally conquer one of those aforementioned levels is worth it. If I had one major gripe with the game I feel that the control scheme for the shooting should be mapped to the right thumbstick. It would allow for smoother aiming. Currently you can pretty much aim in eight directions and you'll sometimes get hit by an enemy that comes at you from a degree you just can't quite hit him from. But it's a minor gripe. Just for it's art style alone Cuphead is worth the $20 price of admission. If you don't mind replaying a level every time you die, Cuphead will keep you occupied for hours at a time.

I've been looking forward to Cuphead since it first showed up on the Xbox stage at E3 a couple years back, the game looked truly unique and utterly fun. After delays, it is finally out, and it delivered. This game is wonderful, and also terrible, but still wonderful. The fact that this game was put together by three people is amazing, the art, the sound, the style are all spot on. You will be transported back to watching old Looney Tunes and Disney cartoons (just without the blackface). The game does have its dark comedy elements but it is stylistically a gem. Gameplay wise it is solid, not perfect, but solid. It's a straight forward scrolling shooter, with most fights being boss centric. It is also very, very hard. If you're going to say, "Oh no it's not." well, cool for you my dude! But for most everyone the game can be aggravating, yet still instills enjoyment and a desire to beat it. It's a great game to play with a friend, or alone if you hate yourself.

There is no other game that looks like this, but I'm assuming even casual fans know the story with this game as far as that is concerned. The main thing to keep in mind here is that this game is very difficult. It may get frustrating at times. But as much as this game killed me I never wanted to quit because it remained fun throughout.