Cuphead is the type of RPG that you’re able to admire for its nostalgic graphics while also testing your patience with how easy the mechanics are. The first tutorial “level” enables you to change settings like shooting and movement to personal preference, and use them in that space.
Levels or “Run & Guns” focused not on storyline also provide opportunities to practice targeting enemies and eventually tackle the bosses that influence the trajectory of the game. They also provide opportunities to collect more coins as well as utilize shots and power ups purchased in “Porkrind’s Emporium”. (Any other time that the controls need to be tweaked, pressing the “start” button on a controller or whatever button is preferred.)
Each boss has unique attacks, each coming spontaneously depending on what stage of the fight you’re in. “The Root Pack” is the first boss encountered and consists of three different characters with varying attacks (each character is essentially a different phase), so it’s a hindrance when reaching a certain point to just start over. When you lose the fight there’s an end card that gives an approximate outline of where you ended and it’s only provided once you die.
When finally beating a boss, “A Knockout!” comes on your screen with the boss failing around, and that is the only indicator when a boss has been defeated successfully.
It is at times frustrating because even when recognizing all of the possible patterns through each stage, there’s chances of slip-ups–you only have three lives for the entirety of the boss or level you’re on. Some runs you’re able to get through until the final phase and fail or it’s just not working in the beginning or middle, either way it results in you starting over in the battle. However, the emotional release of finally beating a major boss to continue the plot (as well as unlocking access to more pretty graphics) is insurmountable, because it’s a moment of finally understanding what distinct patterns and strategies align which of course carries over when encountering bosses that are increasingly more difficult and rage-inducing.
