"A showcase of good game design for hardcore gamers, casual gamers stay away"

When Contra first hit the NES, it became hugely popular due to a high challenge factor, tight controls, and fun gameplay. All of the direct sequels were excellent, using the same formula with a few minor twists to make the series even better. Other than Contra Force and the PS1 games, the series has been great. So, does the next direct sequel earn the right to be called Contra 4? Is this a true successor to The Alien Wars?

Graphics - 7 out of 10

It's hard to rate the graphics in the game. There is no 3d at all, as WayForward decided to stick with 2d. The sprites are nicely detailed, and backgrounds look wonderful. However, the zoomed in version of the sprite you are playing as on the character select screen, as well as the intro movie, are a bit pixelated. Also, perhaps it would have been nice to see a 2d style gameplay with 3d graphics, ala Maverick Hunter X. However, these are minor issues, and may not even be an issue to many gamers.

Control - 10 out of 10

Contra 4 has very precise controls, Nothing feels too slippery at all. You may die frequently, but every time you hear your avatar yell in pain, you know it's all your fault, not the controls. The new grappling hook ability is intergrated very well. It also has the handy feature to scroll the screen to the left or right using the shoulder buttons, much like you could in Super Mario World. This is a great way to get a sneak peek forward to see what enemies are coming your way.

Story - 5 out of 10

The story is sufficient. Black Viper comes 2 years after the defeat of Red Falcon in Contra 3 and begins to enslave earth, and 4 soldiers are found to make a last stand for humanity. Cue the explosions. Not much else after the intro, just a stock happy ending for beating the game on Normal or Hard. No ending at all for the poor saps that just beat it on Easy. I really wish Konami and WayFoward fleshed out the Contra mythos a bit here, as the DS definately has enough storage for a big more story. Even a quick cutscene (skippable by pressing a button) before each level would have been nice.

Challenge - 10 out of 10

Just because your player is a burly. manly man, able to snap necks with just a quick flick of his arms, you can only stand one bullet, or even one touch, from the alien forces. Let's make no bones about it, this game is HARD. You will die quite frequently, but as I mentioned earlier, you know it's your fault when you die. There's a way out of any situation this game puts you in. Things may look and feel impossible, especially the first time you play and you expend all your lives halfway through level one, but the more you play, the better you get.

Replayability - 8 out of 10

The game may have only 9 levels, and 3 difficulty levels, but you will keep coming back to them for more. The high challenge means it will be a while til you beat the game unless you are already a Contra god. Plus there are little touches when you change difficulty levels that greatly change how you play. The best example is in the Factory/Waterfall level, where on easy mode all you face are stock enemies. But when you switch over to Normal, suddenly you have to deal with boulders hurdling towards you while scaling the waterfall, as well as enemies, turrets, and bullets. Plus, if you have a friend with the game, it becomes a whole different monster in multiplayer. You have twice the firepower, but also must be careful that your movements don't scroll the screen too fast causing you to kill your partner.

Reviewers Tilt - 10 out of 10

The game is just extremely fun to play, simple as that. Only a few niggling fault keep the game from absolute perfection, yet those same faults contribute to the games appeal as well, and is what makes the Contra series what it is. Is it hard? Absolutely. Can it be repetitive? At times, yes. Does it use the same formula it used two decades ago? Sure does. But that's also what makes it fun. Also, it's a great value at only 30 dollars. And to answer the question I posed at the beginning of this review, this game is without a doubt worthy of the name Contra 4. Heck, it almost made me forget about Contra Force and Legacy of War. Konami and WayForward have successfully resurrected the Contra series, and it's well worth your money to go pick up a game that takes a look at the past, and show current gamers what a great, classic, challenging game really is. And if you need a break from the game itself, plenty of bonuses can be unlocked, such as comics, an interview, the 2 NES Contra games, and an interview with a man who's worked with the Contra series since close to the beginning.

Games getting too easy?
Gamers becoming wimps?
LETS ATTACK AGGRESSIVELY!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/19/07

Game Release: Contra 4 (US, 11/13/07)