Cuphead Isn't Just About Boss Fights Anymore

New gameplay footage of retro cartoon throwback game Cuphead reveals that it is no longer just about boss fights, but rather features traditional platforming as well.

Dating back to its initial reveal, Cuphead has been all about boss fights. The game has been pushed as a being built entirely around epic boss battles with a 1930’s cartoon visual aesthetic, but now that’s going to change. A new slice of Cuphead gameplay has been revealed ahead of a probable showing at E3 2016, and it shines a spotlight on the new gameplay features that have been incorporated into the game since its latest delay.

As it turns out, Cuphead will feature traditional 2D platforming levels to lead up to its visually dazzling boss fights. As can be seen in the new Cuphead gameplay video, the platforming levels in the game will be a marriage between the classic platforming ideals of Super Mario Bros. and the action platforming gameplay of classic Mega Man titles.

While it can’t be said for certain, it seems likely that these levels will be themed after each of Cuphead‘s boss encounters. For example, the gameplay footage below appears to be set in a forest setting, which could mean that it leads up to the sunflower boss fight seen in previous Cuphead gameplay footage and trailers. Likewise, the boss battle with the Devil will probably have the titular Cuphead traveling through areas that look like a 30’s cartoon version of Hell.

If the new gameplay video is anything to go by, the platforming in Cuphead looks like it is pretty well designed, and should satisfy fans of the genre. It should also impress those that have been following Cuphead since its announcement trailer, as it appears as though the platforming levels won’t shy away from the stiff challenge present in the game’s signature boss battles.

The addition of platforming levels to Cuphead is probably why the developers decided to delay the game from its planned 2015 release to this year. It seems as though the game’s scope keeps widening over time, and it will be interesting to see if any other new gameplay features have been added to the project as well.

In the meantime, we will likely see more of Cuphead come Microsoft’s E3 2016 press conference on Monday. After all, Microsoft featured Cuphead at E3 2015, giving the game its own distinct trailer, as well as highlighting it in its [email protected] montage. With Cuphead presumably set to launch within the coming months, hopefully Microsoft gives the game its due attention come this year’s E3.

Cuphead will be available in 2016 for PC and Xbox One.

Source: IGN