The basic mechanics are good: parrying, dashing, shooting, etc. However, the level design in the run and gun sections barely utilizes them in satisfying ways. I've never wanted Nintendo to oversee a platformer as hard as I did while playing Cuphead. The main problem is the punishing difficulty which requires beating a level in one try. No checkpoints. When I turned the difficulty down, the game told me it didn't count and that I had to beat the boss, "the right way." 3 stage bosses (for a start) where you have 3 hits before dying and no checkpointing became so frustratingly difficult I basically gave up on this game. There needs to be an easy mode for us "casuals" who feel that getting through a borderline cheap boss fight's multiple stages is too much hassle as a starting point of entry for a game.
