Contra: Operation Galuga – Review

Contra is back! Man fans of the franchise were wondering when this would happen, especially with plenty of spiritual successors out there. I am happy to report that Contra has finally returned and is back on the scene. Does this old classic reignite the series, or is the revival short-lived? Let’s take a look at our review.

 

Game: Contra: Operation Galuga
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Genres: Shooter game, Platform game
Developer: WayForward
Publishers: Konami, Konami Digital Entertainment
Series: Contra
Release date: 3/12/2024

*Special thanks to the PR team for providing a review key and the opportunity*

 

Intro/Story:

From the official website:

Year: 26XX AD. The Galuga Archipelago off the coast of New Zealand is ground zero for a mysterious meteor shower. Six months later, the Red Falcon terrorist group invades the island, and unusual gravity waves can be detected emanating from the area. The Earth Federation sends in the GX Army for reconnaissance, but contact has been lost. With no other viable options, the Earth Marine Corps dispatches its most elite soldiers – Bill Rizer and Lance Bean of the Contra unit – to investigate and neutralize any potential threats. The conflict that follows turns the once-peaceful island into an all-out warzone where the fate of mankind hangs in the balance.

 

Contra is a reimaging of the classic title from the 1980s. It brings a story element into it that is easy to digest. It introduces new stages, new bosses, and new mechanics to an old classic. This includes everything to the old classic title. The story is easy to understand and follow. It is well-paced with in-game cutscenes, well done breaking down the story. In the end, this reimagined classic is the definitive way to play the old Contra title.

Is it just these features? Let’s take a look at the gameplay section.

Gameplay:

The gameplay in Contra is the same as the classic title. However, new mechanics are introduced. This includes new stages, new enemies, new bosses, and additional players joining the fray. Contra to its core is a Run’n’Gun game. It is a side scroller shoot ’em up. This game captures that. Contra adds new elements such as riding a motorcycle, and new mechanics that bring a much-needed quality of life change to the franchise as a whole. Playing the game was a fresh breath of air that revitalized the franchise.

This was played on the Playstation 5 for this review. There was next to no loading in the game, in all the modes that were tested. It felt like that next-gen game for an old title. If there was a game that deserved that kind of revitalization, it is Contra. Well done to the developers for accomplishing that.

Audio and Visual:

Visually, the game looks fantastic. Each environment looks fantastic in each new stage. The character models are well done, the same with enemy designs. The overall looks and feel of the visual capture what defines Contra in terms of aesthetics. It is well done, and for a franchise like Contra, it is well deserved.

 

Audio-wise, the game sounds great. The voice work is fantastic, the audio mixing is well done, and everything in between with the audio. It was well done across the board here.

https://youtu.be/OFUmAvhrNmw?si=ljAbCxeeGEKJAait

 

Wrap-up/Conclusion

To keep it short and sweet, Contra is back. This reimagining of the classic is a step in the right direction for the franchise. Is it the best game out there, that is a shoot ’em up? Nope, but it is fun, especially in COOP. I hope this is the much-needed revival for it, and we do see more entries in the future for it.

*until next time, mgs2master2 out!