A brand-new hand-drawn game on Steam called Moylo has been dubbed Cuphead meets Hollow Knight, with the developer saying, “That was the initial idea.” Moylo is still in development and has no release date on Steam, but its first trailer has already generated significant buzz, racking up nearly two million views just days after its release.
Visually, Moylo could be seen as a spiritual successor to Cuphead. Developer Bugle Duck describes its art style as “classic rubber hose cartoon style inspired by the animation of the 1930s and 1940s,” which closely mirrors the visual direction of the Cuphead games. Gameplay-wise, Moylo is still figuring out what direction it wants to take, with Hollow Knight-style melee combat already being one of the possibilities.
Moylo Might Let Cuphead-Style Boss Fights Take Center Stage
Responding to fans theorizing about how Moylo‘s gameplay could compare to Cuphead, the official Bugle Duck YouTube account said, “Let’s say a game more focused on boss fights for now.” The short work-in-progress trailer for Moylo also supports this, showcasing several bosses with unique, Disney-esque designs. In other words, Moylo could end up being a Cuphead-like game with an even greater focus on challenging boss fights.
According to developer Bugle Duck, “Each boss has its own story, mechanics, and visual style, creating memorable battles that test your skills in different ways.” Other confirmed features in Moylo include skill-based melee combat, unlockable abilities, and explorable gothic maps. The protagonist also appears to be an unnamed, caped cat equipped with a sword, though that’s pretty much all that is known about the game at this point.
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Image via Bugle Duck -
Image via Bugle Duck -
Image via Bugle Duck
Every Confirmed Feature for Moylo’s Gameplay
- Melee combat. Players will be able to use close-range attacks to take down enemies, similar to the combat in Hollow Knight.
- Boss-rush gameplay. Moylo will feature numerous bosses with unique designs and attack patterns.
- New abilities. Players will be able to enhance their combat moves by acquiring new skills.
- Mysteries. Moylo’s gloomy world will likely feature secrets for players to uncover.
Hollow Knight’s Metroidvania Elements Could Influence Moylo
Regarding Moylo‘s gameplay, developer Bugle Duck said, “We’re prototyping and testing to find out what we’re able to create.” That means the gameplay loop is not set in stone and could change in the future. However, Moylo‘s Steam page lists it as an indie Metroidvania game, which has excited Hollow Knight fans. The trailer already features brief melee combat reminiscent of Hollow Knight, and fans would likely appreciate Moylo going beyond combat to implement similar Metroidvania exploration features.
While it is still too early to know exactly what Moylo will become, its early reception suggests there is already solid interest in another hand-animated 2D platformer. The game can be wishlisted on Valve’s storefront, allowing interested players to keep an eye on its development. That said, no release window has been announced at the time of writing. In the meantime, fans of the genre have two confirmed Cuphead games to look forward to, with Studio MDHR working on both a Cuphead sequel and the spin-off Mighty Cuphead Adventure.
- Released
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September 29, 2017
- ESRB
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E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Developer(s)
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Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc.
- Publisher(s)
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Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc.
