Studio MDHR’s Cuphead looks to be one of the most original games we’ve seen in a very long time, with a focus on intense boss battles and an art style meant to replicate the hand-drawn, imperfect look of 1930s cartoons, but it appears that to pull off such a novel concept, the game needs a little more time to cook.
“Throughout this year we discussed reducing the scope to make a 2016 release, but we made the difficult decision to delay the launch in order to ship with our vision intact,” says MDHR’s Chad Moldenhaur on the studio’s website. We are happy to announce that Cuphead will be coming to Xbox One, Windows 10, and Steam in mid-2017.”
The increased scope for Cuphead is largely the result of added platforming sections. Though the game was originally envisioned as something of a “boss rush,” it now features more traditional run-and-gun elements, coins to collect, and difficult jumps.
“We are constantly humbled by your continued support,” Moldenhaur adds. “[We] love you all and can’t wait to get this to you. Without further ado, we will get back to work!”
This isn’t the first time the game has been delayed. Back in 2015, Studio MDHR said that increased resources from Microsoft allowed the firm to “push the art further, refine the mechanics more, and deliver the Cuphead game we’ve always dreamed of.” The game was then delayed to 2016, though a specific window hadn’t been offered.
We’re still excited to get our hands on the final product, and Cuphead‘s use of filters to replicate classic animation is unique, but we’re hoping that “mid-2017” actually means “mid-2017.” Otherwise, this could be the first “Convention Exclusive” game, and given the ecstatic pre-release reception it has received so far, that would be a shame.
