"Well it's about time we got a good Contra game!"

Contra: Shattered Soldier is the game that all Contra fans and nostalgic gamers have been waiting for. This entry in the Contra series goes back to it’s 8 and 16-bit roots with nonstop side-scrolling action. This is a huge relief after the more forgettable Contra games for the PSX that were in full 3d. Shattered Soldier’s background graphics are definitely in full 3d but the game has the great 2d feel that was needed. Don’t forget the Contra series’ reputation for being one of the hardest games out there. This one is definitely not for the faint at heart.

Gameplay: 9/10
The gameplay, much like any video game, is the most important aspect in the game. Shattered Soldier goes back to the early Contra roots with side-scrolling shooting action. You do so much cool stuff like riding hover bikes down the battlefield to riding snowboards down an enemy-populated mountain. Then there are the bosses. The bosses, much like any Contra game, are so huge and extremely powerful. These may be the biggest bosses I have seen in a while. The only thing that may drive some people away is the incredibly steep difficulty level. Codes are recommended.

Graphics: 9/10
The graphics in Shattered Soldier are brilliant! The developers managed to make this game in 3d but also have a 2d feel. All of the environments look real clean and detailed and the bosses look really cool. There is so much going on with no slowdown at all! All of the huge bosses move so fluently, it is a joy to just look at them. But there is one flaw. Your characters move just like robots, their movements could have used just a little work.

Control: 9/10
Contra games have been known throughout the land as a game with easy controls accessible to all players. Shattered Soldier is no different. It is really easy to move around and shoot up your opponents. The only flaw is that some of the new things may take a little bit of learning.

Sound: 9/10
I loved the heavy metal soundtrack that was featured in Shattered Soldier. All the sound effects and musical scores sounded really good and really gives you the adrenaline feel of the game. The only problem was the weapon effects didn’t sound completely right. They could have been better.

Game Time: 7/10
In Contra: Shattered Soldier, there are only around five or six levels in the game. But, each of the levels is pretty long and challenging, so it may seem as if the game is pretty long.

Challenge: 10/10
Are you kidding?! Practically all of the Contra games are insanely challenging, and this is one the harder ones! With the heavily armed aliens and robots coming at you from all directions and huge, powerful, bosses that won’t quit, how can this game not give you a challenge!

Replay Value: 8/10
There aren’t that many secrets to unlock as soon as you beat this game so, this is the type of game that only keeps players coming back for more because of the fun of the game.

Story: 6/10
Well, like most Contra games, the story is a very miniscule aspect in the game. All you have to do is shoot everything that moves, and there are no real missions in the game. The story is actually a bit interesting in this entry of the series. The story follows Bill, the hero of the early Contra games, and Lucia, his android counterpart. Bill has been cryogenically frozen for his crimes in the Alien Wars. Years later, the Triumvirate is forced to revive him because the threat of a terrorist organization.

Shattered Soldier is the game that Contra fans have been waiting for all these years. It brings back the great 2d-style gameplay that was missing in the last couple entries in the series. For anybody who likes a game that is challenging, I would definitely recommend this for purchase.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/22/03, Updated 02/22/03