What I’m Playing Right Now – #02

I did it. I deactivated my Twitter. Here’s the explanation in case you missed it. And I think it’s a safe bet that I shouldn’t be doing reviews while I’m both sick to my stomach and emotionally devastated. I played through Contra three times, and I was a complete zombie. Contra! One of the greatest games of all time, but the lights were on and nobody was home. I wrote a review with all the emotional punch of a turnip. So, what am I playing? Nothing. I think it’ll probably be a couple days before I feel.. anything.

A few months ago I started LCD Games XI, and I never finished it. So, here’s a thing from it.

CUPHEAD!!
“Homebrew” by Itizso
Gameplay Type: Spinning Plate

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Cuphead is an original creation by recreation master Itizso. While it’s a typical six-channel spinning plate game disguised as a gallery shooter, there’s a big twist to this one: you’re not scoring points. Instead, you’re just trying to survive for as long as you can, with scoring measured in minutes and seconds. Unfortunately, there’s no auto-fire here. You actually do have to mash the shooting button. This isn’t a game I could put extended playtime into without annihilating my hands. I suppose the question is “does it feel like Cuphead?” And the answer is “not even a little bit.” The pea shooter’s noise, that now apparently iconic clicking sound, is here for the LCD, but otherwise, nah. I think most fans of the franchise would be disappointed that the LCD is themed more after one of the platforming segments instead of an encounter with one of the humongous, transforming bosses. But, while I don’t think this necessarily works as a Cuphead game, the addition of leaderboards makes this a one-off spinning plate experience that I enjoyed, in small doses.
Verdict: YES!

How I feel inside right now.