Lord, what an abomination is going on here
The studio behind Enchanted Portals, Xixo Games Studio, embarked on its debut with a tale about two young wizards. In a creative space, ideas do travel, sometimes in the name of polite borrowing. Yet borrowing carries a duty to add something fresh of one’s own. Xixo Games Studio attempted that pass of originality, but the result didn’t land as intended, leaving some echoes of inspiration without the substance that makes a game truly stand out.
The first impression is a familiar one. Enchanted Portals opens with a visual style reminiscent of classic cartoons, a look that instantly nods toward Cuphead. Even some one-on-one animations feel borrowed from that beloved game’s world. The sense lingers that there could be a thread connecting these two projects, a prehistory of a shared universe about Cup and Mug. Yet the thread frays early, and the game stands apart from Cuphead in purpose if not in appearance.
Two young mages, a boy and a girl, discover an ancient tome and begin experimenting with advanced portal magic. The worlds they reach prove to be perilous, demanding every ounce of the characters’ modest magical toolkit to survive and escape. Their adventure unfolds in a landscape that tests speed, reflexes, and strategic thinking, all while the pair tries to stay one step ahead of hostile environments.
The girl’s enthusiasm for the journey reads as a brighter spark in the storyline, adding a personal dimension to the otherwise task-focused chase through bright, dangerous realms.
In terms of gameplay tools, Enchanted Portals relies on a trio of basic spell types: fire, ice, and acid. The spells are delivered through outstretched wands, and most enemies present color-coded auras that hint at which spell will be effective. Using the wrong spell against a given foe makes progression harder, nudging players to observe and adapt rather than blast their way through every encounter.
Cuphead passed?
Early on, a central gameplay issue becomes apparent: the rhythm of play feels off. Cuphead offered a streamlined cartridge system, a single resource that kept the action intense and focused. Players could concentrate on dodging, timing, and collecting bonuses without being pulled into managing a flood of options. Enchanted Portals, by contrast, requires constant adjustments and additional inputs that slow the pace, breaking the momentum that fans often crave in a fast arcade run.
The main mechanic evolves into a double-edged sword. Clearing levels becomes a gating process, where success hinges on starting from the beginning after a failure rather than continuing forward. The shooter dynamic shifts toward careful, deliberate dueling with spectral foes, a style that diverges sharply from Cuphead’s rapid-fire, high-energy hits. The result is a sense of tedium that can creep in after repeated attempts, turning exploration into a 기다리다 of repetition rather than a thrill of discovery.
Are the bosses worth a closer look?
Boss encounters in Cuphead were celebrated for their variety and escalating challenge, demanding quick adaptation and a willingness to switch tactics between stages. Enchanted Portals attempts to translate that feel but leans too heavily on a familiar skeleton. Bosses showcase repeated attack patterns, with little room for the kind of dynamic counterplay that defines a memorable fight. Instead of evolving the encounter with each phase, the attacks recur so frequently that counterattacks lose their window, creating a loop that feels more like a test of endurance than a test of strategy.
Ultimately, Enchanted Portals serves as a case study in imitation. When a game closely mirrors another title, it must bring something uniquely its own to warrant comparison. The developers clearly replicated core mechanics and visuals from Cuphead, but the essence of smart, nuanced gameplay does not automatically transfer. Players seeking a fresh interpretation may feel disappointed, as the title lacks the inventive spark that turns a good concept into a lasting experience.
From a reader’s perspective, the takeaway is straightforward: inspiration can be a starting point, but ownership and originality matter just as much in game design. It is not enough to echo a successful game; there must be a voice that adds new dimensions, a clear fingerprint that marks a project as more than a pale reflection. In this sense, Enchanted Portals illustrates why talent matters—without it, a tribute risks drifting into mere mimicry rather than becoming a meaningful addition to the genre.
Would a player want to try Enchanted Portals?
For enthusiasts curious about how a familiar formula is reimagined, there is some curiosity value. The visuals will attract fans of vintage animation, and the spell system provides a straightforward, if shallow, framework for combat. Yet the broader experience may not sustain long sessions. The game asks players to endure pace shifts and a boss cadence that rarely rewards improvisation, which can dampen the sense of discovery that a true homage should ignite. In other words, the appeal is situational rather than universal.
Times