2. Cuphead
Though it now stands alongside Dark Souls as a quick reference for something that is extremely difficult, Cuphead is so much more than that. It's a work of such brilliant precision that can only come from a very deep love and understanding of the very essence of video games.
Cuphead and his pal Mugman get into a big heap of trouble when a risky gamble finds them endebted to none other than Satan himself, who agrees to release his vendetta on their souls if they'll take care of some collecting for him by defeating a series of bosses (who are, in my opinion, presented as normal people, animals, or beings that have been possessed by evil).
The setup sounds simple enough, but - in case you have somehow never heard of this game - that is obviously absolutely not the case. This is a gamer's game; a test of precision platforming and muscle memory that will stretch your abilities to their absolute limits.
You're only allowed three hits per boss fight, and considering that most go on for at least a solid two minutes of action, that is no small task. The various fight settings and enemy abilities will test your skills in all the classic platforming maneuvers: Jumps, double jumps, dashes, projectiles (both firing and dodging), ducks, and dodges, just to name a few. Imagine having to play through the most difficult sections of the hardest Mega Man, Donkey Kong, Super Mario, and Gradius games, and you start to form the tapestry that is Cuphead.
And the ART, my goodness THE ART! Lovingly hand drawn with so much personality and character given to every single entity on the screen. Every time you play, you'll spot something new in the background, on enemies, and even on yourself as you complete various objectives. It's all absolutely stunning.
Complementing it is the equally incredible soundtrack, which was recorded with a real live big band!
The entire experience is just so unbelievably unique and just so damn fun. It's one of the hardest games you'll ever play, yes, but it's the kind of hard that makes you okay with 500 deaths to get one knockout.
Absolutely recommended without qualification of any kind. All gamers must experience Cuphead.
