Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course DLC review: a hell of an encore

It is impossible to find a game quite like it Cuphead. Studio MDHR’s passion project instantly stood out from other 2D action video games thanks to its remarkable recreation of 1930s cartoon style. Its numerous boss fights were cleverly designed and stunning to watch, even if it meant seeing the same one a dozen times as you threw Cuphead and Mugman into the game’s woodchipper of challenges.

The time has almost passed five years. Cuphead’s initial launch, the game has gotten its very first DLC.

Last Course: The DelectableIt was originally announced for release in 2019, but delayed delays forced it to be released until 2022. It was worth it. Unquestionably. This adds approximately five to six hours to the new time CupheadThere are many shenanigans. But it recontextualizes and enlivens the whole main game. It’s all due to Ms. Chalice. She plays the starring part.

Even by CupheadStandards, The plot of Last Course: The DelectableIt’s quite out there. Cuphead meets Mugman, who discovers a new NPC in the main map. He looks suspiciously like Charon. Charon is the ferryman who carries dead souls over the Styx to the afterlife. Charon takes Mugman and Cuphead to another island. When they reach the island, Ms. Chalice opens a portal that allows them to see her and gives Mugman an apple. He takes the cookie and immediately dies. Ms. Chalice is alive and well.

Image: Studio MDHR

Unfortunately for her, the Astral Cookie’s effects are temporary, and within a few moments, she’s swapped once again with Mugman, who is back in action. This new venture aims to rescue Ms. Chalice permanently from the Astral Plane. It involves collecting ingredients for a local bakery, who will cook a Wondertart that will restore her to normalcy. A few guardians keep these ingredients safe. Cuphead-esque bosses, each as outlandish as this DLC’s plot. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Cuphead is at its best when it’s unexpected and, well, weird.

While she’s the driving narrative force behind Last Course: The DelectableThe dramatic departure of Ms. Chalice also comes from Cuphead’s gameplay. After arriving on the island, Ms. Chalice can be played by equipping her Astral Cookie from the Charm slot. While this does prevent further customizing your gameplay with the various other Charms you’ve collected, it comes with plenty of upsides: Ms. Chalice has one more health point than Cuphead or Mugman, and she can double jump. Also, she parries attacks in a different way than Cuphead and Mugman. She jumps into projectiles instead of bouncing off them. Lastly, she’s got an invincible ground roll. These abilities, together with her extra mobility, are enough to offset the loss of a Charm slots.

Ms. Chalice’s enhancements are even handy in the original game’s levels. You can also bring Ms. Chalice to the main island and upgrade her skills there if you find the boss fights difficult. It’s actually pretty game-changing. It’s one of a few bosses that was never intended to have a double jump or a dashparry. This changes how battles flow the second time. It’s a rare piece of DLC that makes you rethink the base game in such a satisfying way.

Image: Studio MDHR

Even with Ms. Chalice’s upgrades, the DLC is challenging. There are six main bosses, and they’re some of the most complex boss fights yet in Cuphead. A jazz-themed battle features a jitterbugging, sonic wasp that emits damaging sound waves using her Victrola. This is one of the first fights. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed while you get the hang of these fights, which is why the “Simple” mode (returning from the main game) is still a boon. Because fights are simpler, it’s easier to absorb the patterns than regular.

It’s a little disappointing, though, that people who are unable to surpass the high difficulty of Cuphead won’t be able to experience all of the DLC’s story or final boss, both of which require beating all of the bosses on Regular. This was also the case with the main game, and it does feel like it’s time for Cuphead to be more welcoming to casual fans who just want to see all of the content — even if they don’t have the skills, patience, or ability to make it through all of the fights without some help. There are no accessibility features. CupheadThis is feeling a bit outdated, especially in comparison to 2D challenges like Celeste.

For those that can enjoy the intense challenge of a multi-stage boss fight — and I count myself among them — Cuphead: A Delicious Last CourseIt has some of the finest stages and art in the game. There’s no filler here, and every fight stands out as a memorable experience, from a bearded stone golem and his pack of evil gnomes to a train-riding cow who sees the business end of a pressure cooker only to keep on fighting. If you’ve been desperate for more Cuphead, this is likely the last new content you’ll see. Thankfully it’s a hell of an encore for Cuphead, Mugman, and now, Ms. Chalice.

Cuphead: A Delicious Last Course The game was available on Windows PC and Xbox One on June 30, as well as on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Studio MDHR gave a pre-release downloading code to Windows. The review was conducted on Windows. Vox Media is an affiliate partner. They do not affect editorial content. However, Vox Media might earn commissions for products bought via affiliate links. Here are some links to help you find. additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.