There are inherent problems with scoring video games in reviews, at least when taken at face value. For example, the average reader will probably look at the score above and assume that Neo Contra isn’t much of a game. After all, we as gamers generally hold our games to a high standard, and a 6.5, a score indicating that the game is just above the satisfactory mark, generally means that it isn’t worth your time. Certainly, Neo Contra probably isn’t going to be a contender for Game of the Year from any publication (including this one), and the game does have its flaws. But let me get this out of the way right away just so there isn’t any further confusion: I love this game and am recommending it to not just fans of the series, but to those who have grown up with games since the 8-bit NES days. Neo Contra will send you right back to the “good old days” when fast-paced action, throw-away stories, bad ass characters, faceless enemy drones, and gargantuan bosses were all it took to make a game playable.



Some may remember with great pain the 3D Contra games from the PSone, which now rank among the Hall of Shame in gaming history. It was truly a dark day when the beloved franchise was reduced to a third-rate crap-fest. Luckily, Konami decided to take the series back to its roots with Contra: Shattered Soldier and it seemed that all was once again ass-kickingly great in the Contra universe. Shattered Soldier returned to the side-scrolling style, it was painfully difficult, and the action was again lightening fast and frenetic.

But then, in a surprise move, just when gamers had been reunited with the 2D goodness, Konami announced that they were going to take another stab at a 3D Contra. The good news is that they didn’t farm the series out to Appaloosa this time and the game plays like less of a 3D adventure and more of an Ikari Warriors, top-down style game. And what we get with Neo Contra is much of the same action-packed gameplay that we got with Shattered Soldier. In fact, much of that style is carried over into Neo Contra. Even better is that the toxic puking giant baby is back, and we all loved him, right?

However, despite my earlier rant on scoring, this is not a perfect game, nor is it as good as Shattered Soldier. In many ways it’s more accessible and fans of the old arcade games will probably like it a bit more. But certain issues hold it back; namely the difficulty. Contra has always been tough as nails without the famous Konami code. [Go ahead. Recite it now…] But in a bizarre turn of events, Neo Contra is incredibly easy and can be beaten in under an hour with little effort without the help of a cheat code. Blasphemy! Furthermore, the game is incredibly short and there is very little motivation to come back and play again. In its defense, there are unlockable features, but even these inspire little desire to play again.

In ditching the side-scrolling style, jumping is also eliminated and is replaced by a dodge move that allows you to get out of the way of oncoming enemy fire. Also included are strafing functions and a character lock ability that lets you lock your character in place while remaining able to fire in all directions. Frankly, if it weren’t for these two buttons, Neo Contra would have been nearly unplayable due to the incredibly loose control you have over your character. What this means is that you’d better get used to keeping your fingers glued to the R2 and L2 buttons, because you’re going to be using them all the time.



What Neo Contra does do better than its predecessor is introduce us to its cast of characters. Granted, nobody really cares about the heroes and villains in the Contra series, but luckily the characters in this game are filled to the brim with absurd, over-the-top bravado, making them instantly likable. The bosses are outrageously evil (Mwahahaha!), and hard ass Bill Rizer makes his return with a new, and very cool sidekick Jaguar, a sort of futuristic samurai mercenary. These characters smack of classic Contra gusto and Konami has done a great job with them.

From a presentation standpoint, Neo Contra is incredibly fun. The wanky guitar-heavy soundtrack and onscreen visuals (huge explosions, giant, screen-filling bosses) all culminate in a feast for the senses. It’s goofy, a bit over-the-top, and very obnoxious. And that’s just the way we like our Contra games. So crank up the volume, hook up your largest TV screen, and enjoy.

Neo Contra is the furthest thing from depth in a video game. It’s simple, sometimes cheesy, and the controls are a bit on the clunky side. Additionally, it’s not even the best in the series. But despite its problems, we really had a great time with it. It’s pure, mindless fun. And sometimes that’s not a bad thing.



Article By: John