Gameplay Journal Entry #9

Game Link: http://www.cupheadgame.com/

For this week I decided to play “Cuphead,” which is a run and gun video game. The art style is inspired by animations from the golden age of American animation, for example, an old Disney animation. Each level contains a ‘boss’ that the player has to defeat in order to progress. The player kills the enemy by shooting fire blasts out of their finger, which was given to them by Elder Kettle (who takes care of Cuphead and his brother, Mugman). A short summary of the game’s plot is that Cuphead and Mugman were gambling in the Devi’s Casino. After being on a winning streak, the Devil makes an offer, in which Cuphead and Mugman agree on. The offer was if Cuphead and Mugman win, they take all the casino’s money. If they lose, then the Devil will take their souls. Cuphead and Mugman end up losing. With them pleading for mercy, the Devil decides that if they can get the soul contracts from previous runaway debtors.

I would say the game’s mechanics and mode of playing reflect Mary Flanagan’s concept of ‘critical play’ because the game can make you question the main character’s and their motivation. Flanagan states in her book, “Critical Play — Radical Game Design,” “Critical play means to create or occupy play environments and activities that represent one or more questions about aspects of human life. These questions can be abstract, such as rethinking cooperation, or winning, or losing; or concreate, involved with content issues…” (Flanagan 6). The plot of “Cuphead” is essentially gambling with the Devil. And in order to save yourself from the Devil, you need to be selfish and turn others in. You’re ruining others lives in order to protect yours. In the end the player is actually given a choice when it comes to giving the contracts to the Devil. This can be a tough decision for the player because again, you are dealing with the Devil. How can the Devil be trust worthy?

Sources:

Flanagan, Mary. Critical Play — Radical Game Design. Mit Press Ltd, 2013.