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Is Cuphead Only Local Multiplayer? A Deep Dive into Delicious Last Courses and Co-op Capabilities

The short answer is: yes and no. Cuphead was initially designed with a strong focus on local co-op, allowing two players to team up and tackle its notoriously challenging levels and bosses side-by-side on the same screen. However, while the game doesn’t natively support online multiplayer, there are viable workarounds and third-party solutions that enable you to enjoy the experience with friends remotely. Let’s explore the co-op aspects of Cuphead.

Diving into Cuphead’s Multiplayer Landscape

The Core Experience: Local Co-op

At its heart, Cuphead is a celebration of classic run-and-gun gameplay, reminiscent of cartoons from the 1930s. A key component of this experience is the ability to play alongside a friend in local co-op. One player controls Cuphead, and the other controls his brother, Mugman. Together, they navigate the Inkwell Isles, battling formidable bosses to repay their debt to the Devil.

The game is specifically designed to be played locally, fostering a sense of shared challenge and triumph as you strategize, coordinate, and revive each other amidst the chaos of the visually stunning, hand-drawn levels. Two players take on the Devil’s adversaries as either Mugman or Cuphead in local co-op. Local co-op is where you can play with other people in the same room on one PC/console. So you have two controllers being used or one controller and the mouse and keyboard. Multiplayer is generally online, so online multiplayer games, like Fall Guys and Among Us for example.

Bridging the Distance: Workarounds for Online Play

While Cuphead lacks built-in online multiplayer, the community has devised several clever ways to overcome this limitation. These methods typically involve using screen sharing software and virtual controller emulation to simulate a local co-op experience over the internet. Here are a few popular options:

Parsec: This is a popular, low-latency screen sharing application specifically designed for gaming. It allows one player to host the game and stream it to their friends, who can then connect their controllers and play as if they were in the same room. Download Parsec for free and install it. Head to the Parsec Arcade, and choose to host Cuphead (this will only work if Cuphead is already running). Share the big link with your friends. Your friends will be asked to download Parsec too, and once they have, you’ll be ready to play together.
Steam Remote Play Together: If you own Cuphead on Steam, you can utilize Steam’s Remote Play Together feature to stream the game to another player over the internet. This method also allows for controller emulation, making it a convenient option for Steam users.
Nvidia GeForce Experience (Limited): The article mentioned this as a possible workaround, but it’s generally considered less reliable and user-friendly than Parsec or Steam Remote Play Together.

Is Co-op Harder? Debating the Difficulty Curve

Playing Cuphead in co-op can significantly alter the difficulty curve. While having a teammate to revive you and share the burden of boss battles might seem advantageous, it also introduces new challenges:

Increased Boss Health: Bosses typically have more health when playing in co-op, requiring a higher damage output from both players. The bosses do get some more health.
Screen Clutter and Chaos: With two characters and countless projectiles flying across the screen, the visual chaos can be overwhelming, making it harder to track enemy patterns and dodge attacks.
Revival Mechanics: While reviving a fallen teammate can be crucial, it can also distract you from the primary goal of defeating the boss, potentially leading to both players dying. A second player adds to the screen clutter and can tempt you to prioritize saving each other over beating the level, which usually just results in both players dying faster.

Ultimately, whether Cuphead is easier or harder in co-op is subjective and depends on your playstyle, communication with your teammate, and ability to adapt to the increased chaos. Coop is way harder. You also have to factor in learning the fights, however health is doubled so learning a fight makes it harder just to push to the new phase.

FAQs: Your Burning Cuphead Co-op Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the multiplayer aspects of Cuphead:

1. Is Cuphead 2 players local?

Yes, Cuphead is designed for two players locally. Two players take on the Devil’s adversaries as either Mugman or Cuphead in local co-op.

2. Will Cuphead ever get official online multiplayer?

Currently, there is no online co-op functionality, but the developers are keen to add it at some point in the future.

3. What is the easiest way to play Cuphead online with a friend?

Parsec is generally considered one of the easiest and most reliable ways to play Cuphead online, thanks to its low latency and user-friendly interface.

4. Does Cuphead on Switch support local co-op?

Yes! You can grab a friend and play co-op with two Joy-Cons, or dock your Switch and experience all the thrills from the comfort of your living room.

5. Can you play Cuphead with more than two players?

No, Cuphead is designed for a maximum of two players in either solo or local co-op mode.

6. Is the Cuphead DLC, “The Delicious Last Course,” also playable in co-op?

Yes, The Delicious Last Course DLC is fully playable in both single-player and local co-op, introducing a new playable character, Ms. Chalice, and a new island to explore.

7. How does the difficulty scale in co-op mode?

Bosses generally have increased health in co-op mode to compensate for the increased firepower of two players.

8. Does Cuphead have cross-platform multiplayer?

No, Cuphead does not support cross-platform multiplayer, even with workarounds like Parsec. All players must be on the same platform (e.g., PC, Switch, Xbox) to play together.

9. Is Cuphead easier on co-op?

Co-op play is probably harder in the long run.

10. Where can I find tutorials for setting up Cuphead for online co-op?

YouTube is a great resource for finding tutorials on setting up Cuphead for online co-op using Parsec, Steam Remote Play Together, or other methods. There are tutorials online to perform a workaround and have it running in online co-op with help from Nvidia’s GeForce Experience.

11. What are the minimum system requirements for playing Cuphead online?

The minimum system requirements for playing Cuphead online depend on the streaming method you choose. Parsec, for example, requires a stable internet connection and a reasonably powerful PC to host the game.

12. Is Cuphead a co op switch?

Play as Cuphead or Mugman (in single player or local co-op).

13. Is Cuphead good for casual gamers?

While Cuphead’s difficulty may be daunting for some casual gamers, its engaging visuals and gameplay make it an enjoyable experience for players of all skill levels.

14. Can you beat Cuphead without killing anyone?

Yes, In order for Cuphead players to earn the Pacifist Achievement/Trophy, they’ll need to earn a P rank on all Run ‘n Gun levels in the game, which requires players to not fire at any enemies whatsoever.

15. Is Cuphead rated E?

“Cuphead” is rated E (10+ for everyone). It’s defined by the ESRB with mild cartoon violence and alcohol and tobacco references.

The Last Word

While Cuphead shines as a local co-op experience, the resourceful community has found ways to extend the fun to online play. Whether you prefer the camaraderie of playing side-by-side or the convenience of connecting remotely, Cuphead offers a challenging and rewarding experience for players of all skill levels. To explore more about the intersection of games and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Get ready to perfect those parries, memorize those patterns, and prepare to face the Devil himself – with a friend, of course!

Is Cuphead only local multiplayer?