It took 7 years. The Canadian Brothers Chad and Jared Moldenhauer presented a concept for a Jump'n'Run game in 2010, which should not only convince with the ingenious design, but also with the gameplay. It has now been almost a month since MDHR (for Moldenhauer) Entertainment announced that by fans long-awaited game "Cuphead" released, which gave us reason not only to rate the game, but also to provide useful tips and tricks. Admittedly, I just finished the game yesterday. And yes, the very accurate and detailed engine will certainly put you off at first, but every boss is beatable within reasonable limits. Of course standing with me too hundreds of deaths on the clock, but that's exactly what it's all about: study your opponent until you drop! Which opponents are particularly difficult and how you can win against them can be found in the following guide.
Keybinding & Parry
Cuphead goes for a gorgeous 30s Mickey Mouse look that covers the difficulty of the game like a wolf in sheep's clothing. "Beautiful and young - old at heart", "Schicker fail" or "Pure love-hate for detail" were therefore also the headlines of many games magazines. The game not only requires a quick reaction, but also the correct assignment of the keys. Because it's exclusively for Microsoft PCs and the XBOX One I can therefore only advise you to change the button assignment of the XBOX controller right at the beginning. Shot is set to X by default. However, since you have to shoot away everything that is in your way anyway, it is strongly recommended to place shot on the right bumper so that you can fire continuously without having to use your thumb. Also essential is the "dash", i.e. the quick dodge by a small jump. This is initially on Y, which should be changed to the left bumper. This allows you to react lightning-fast with your left index finger. That leaves the X and Y keys to be assigned. This is of course a matter of taste and you can choose freely. Personally, I assigned X to "Lock" and Y to "Switch Weapon". B stays the "super" and A naturally jumps.
So far so good. The gameplay of any 2D platformer game should be familiar enough, thinking back to the early days of Super Mario for the SNES or Gameboy. So let's get straight to the point. As an example, I take out the first opponent "Botanic Panic" to go into the "Parry Move" in more detail. Any pink projectile, enemy, or item can be mastered while jumping by pressing A again with the "Parry Move". For example, the last shot of the potato or the pink tears of the onion. What is that good for?
If you shoot at opponents, five playing cards fill up on the bottom left. If a card is full, B can discharge a loaded card in one shot with great damage ("Ex Shoot"). When all five cards are loaded, B launches a super attack, which unloads a corresponding amount of damage. By "parrying" a pink object, a card is filled up directly. Accordingly, this element is of great importance, especially towards the end of the game, in order to be able to destroy opponents quickly. So now to the first tip. Almost all enemies are very large and are usually hit automatically. So it makes more sense to focus on dodging and landing the odd parry along the way. Depending on the opponent, you can also help yourself with the appropriate weapons/shot types. Before this distinction is made, however, first the hidden coins of the game in order to get to the important extras in the shop faster.
Hidden coins
In addition to the 30 coins through the Gun'n'Run level, there are seven hidden coins and an Easter egg to be found.
You can already find the first hidden coin in the tutorial. Shooting the box will give you the first gold coin in the game.
In world 1, i.e. Inkwell Isle 1, you will find a hidden coin with the boy with the ax head ("Axeman"). Standing unmistakably at the edge of the forest is the first hidden coin right next to it "between the trees". However, "Axeboy" only moves aside when all opponents in World 1 have been defeated.
In world 2, i.e. Inkwell Isle 2, there are three hidden coins. Number 1 is past the three singers through the brown tent towards World 3. There is a green trailer on the right. The first hidden coin of level 2 is behind it, not visible to the player. The second one is when you talk to the little girl with a yellow bow on her head ("gingerbread girl"). Then run behind the bird house of the level "Aviary Action" and then right once along behind the mountains. Back to the girl again and she will give you a coin. The third has to be worked harder. So you go to the juggler ("Juggler") before entering the level "Fiery Frolic" at the dragon tower. Then you have to "parry" four times in a row (no matter which one). This works best in the penultimate level with the cube, so be patient with this hidden coin. There is also an Easter egg on Inkwell Isle 2. The three sad singers miss their fourth husband. This is behind the tent, to the left of the Gun'n'Run level "Funfair Fever".
In world 3, so Inkwell Isle 3, there is a very simple hidden coin. Behind the shop is a small house with a red and white awning. Behind it is a coin.
The last gold coin can be found in world 4, the finale. Just look behind the stairs of the casino entrance.
Buy the right items
So that you don't spend the coins pointlessly at first, here's a tip on the order of purchases in "Porkrind's Emporium". Clearly, the first thing to do is buy the “Smoke Bomb”. This allows you an "Invisible Dash". With it you can go through everything in an emergency. Similar to the “Flash” in MOBA games. This is one of the most important items in the game. You should also make sure to buy the right types of shot afterwards. I cracked the game with only three different shots (also the Expert Mode): "Peashooter", "Spread" and "Chaser". In my opinion, the other three shots aren't really necessary and too inflexible for the many facets of each opponent. Last but not least, the charm. As said, "Smoke Bomb" is clearly the most important one, followed by "Heart" and "Twin Heart". I never used the others. I used "Twin Heart" for the last boss, the devil. Otherwise, I only switched between "Smoke Bomb" and "Heart". For all flight levels I took the heart since "Smoke Bomb" doesn't work as an airplane.
Conclusion
In the end I have to say: The game is absolutely amazing for people with patience and above all with the ambition to kick the game in the a***h! The perfectly successful graphics and the specially composed sound do the rest. Have fun with the tips and the constant running back!
