Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course (2022): The Review
Overview
Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course is a fitting finale for a game that truly defines the phrase “one of a kind.” Veteran players might blast through its six bosses and King of Games minibosses in just a few hours, but the sheer quality of those battles more than makes up for the brief runtime. Every encounter, from start to finish, ranks among the best the series has ever offered, no small feat given how high the bar already was. I’m not usually one for dessert, but when it comes to Cuphead, The Delicious Last Course is too sweet to skip.
Score: 9 out of 10
The Positives ✅
Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course isn’t just dessert: it’s a five-star epilogue that tastes better than most full-course meals. What Studio MDHR pulled off here is nothing short of stunning: six main boss fights, and every single one feels like an event. These aren’t recycled scraps from the original game; they’re beautifully animated, creative, and brutally fair gauntlets that push your reflexes and pattern recognition to the edge. The hand-drawn animations are more detailed than ever, packing so much movement and personality into every frame that it’s hard to believe this is technically just DLC. The game’s art direction, humor, and musical swagger make it feel timeless, like a 1930s fever dream brought to life by perfectionists with pencils.
Then there’s Ms. Chalice, the new playable character who’s far more than a novelty addition. She shakes up Cuphead’s already razor-sharp mechanics with a new rhythm of play. Her double jump, dodge roll, and dash-parry don’t make the game easier, they make it different. She demands you rethink your timing, positioning, and even how you approach bosses you thought you’d already mastered. Her four-hit health bar helps newcomers survive a bit longer, but veterans will appreciate the nuanced trade-offs: she’s agile, yes, but her limited charm access and awkward single jump keep things spicy. It’s clever design, not handholding.
Add in the new weapons and charms, like the Crackshot’s hands-free homing turret or the Heart Ring’s life-saving parry bonuses, and suddenly Cuphead’s already complex combat system feels brand new. Even the side content is a blast. The King of Games’ parry-based mini-boss challenges are an unexpected gem, a pure skill test that replaces the old “run-and-gun” levels with clever, chess-themed duels that reward finesse over firepower. They’re a clever remix of Cuphead’s best ideas, and arguably one of the DLC’s biggest surprises.
The Negatives ⚠️
If there’s one bittersweet bite in The Delicious Last Course, it’s how short it is. You can clear all the new bosses in a few hours, and while every second is gold, it still leaves you craving more. It’s quality over quantity, sure, but after years of waiting, you can’t help but wish there was just a little more to chew on. The story, as charming as it is, remains a simple excuse to hop between bosses, which is fine for a series that’s always prioritized gameplay, but still, it’s mostly window dressing to the real action.
And while Ms. Chalice’s kit adds welcome variety, she isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (pun intended). Her altered controls can feel awkward at first, and the inability to equip other charms while using her limits experimentation. Some players might also find the new weapons slightly overpowered, the Crackshot’s auto-aim, for instance, can make some encounters a touch easier than intended. These aren’t dealbreakers by any stretch, but they can slightly upset the balance that made Cuphead’s difficulty so perfectly punishing.
Still, the only real complaint most players will have is simply that The Delicious Last Course ends too soon. When the credits rolled, I wasn’t relieved, I was disappointed that it was over. But that’s not failure; that’s the mark of a game that hits every note perfectly.
The Experience 🎮
Playing The Delicious Last Course feels like stepping back into a world you thought you knew, only to realize it’s been upgraded in every possible way. Every boss fight is a visual explosion, every pattern a puzzle, every victory a rush of adrenaline. The game’s balance of chaos and clarity remains unmatched; it never cheats, never blindsides, it simply demands excellence. Every death teaches you something, and every retry feels like progress. Studio MDHR continues to prove that Cuphead isn’t just a pretty face, it’s a masterclass in design, difficulty, and style.
What makes this expansion special isn’t just the challenge, but the craftsmanship. Every phase, every background, every animation frame feels alive with care and personality. It’s rare for DLC to elevate its base game rather than just extend it, but The Delicious Last Course does exactly that, it’s richer, smoother, and more refined, like an artist perfecting their masterpiece years after release.
In the end, this isn’t just more Cuphead, it’s better Cuphead. It’s short, yes, but every fight, every frame, and every note of that jazzy score reminds you why this world became iconic in the first place. It’s not a side dish. It’s the encore, and what a finale it is.
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