Contra: Rogue Corps

Of course, not everyone will enjoy Contra: Rogue Corps but I certainly did. Between its crazy presentation and challenging gameplay, it's definitely a tough game to put down. If you're looking for a more classic Contra formula then play Blazing Chrome instead.

The more I played Contra: Rogue Corps, the more I could recognize its flaws yet at the same time, I was strangely transfixed by those fleeting moments of being an action badass with the right weapons, only for my dreams to be swiftly dashed as those weapons overheated and I was mobbed to death by giant alien bugs.

Konami returns with a new game of its most iconic saga that, although it respects the great doses of action that characterize the franchise, has a series of imperfections that stand in its design and, therefore, in the experience of the player. Despite this, Contra: Rogue Corps can be a worthy proposal if viewed from the right perspective and, above all, if enjoyed in the company of a friend.

Contra: Rogue Corps tries to maintain the essence of Contra while changing the gameplay mechanics into something that doesn’t remotely resemble classic Contra. It plays more like Smash TV cosplaying as Contra with several nods to classic Contra titles. In the end, anyone wanting a return to the glory of 2D Contra won’t find it here, but removing expectations of what Contra should be will find a great deal of entertainment. The intro mission establishes that this is a title that doesn’t take itself seriously; it’s simple, over the top dumb fun with nonstop carnage and some dark humor. The characters, enemies and scenarios are all ridiculous but that is what makes the game so enjoyable.

A game that arrives a generation late. Improvable in all aspects except his cooperative and his thug style.

Contra: Rogue Corps may not get high marks for reinvigorating the Contra series, nor does it innovate or do anything exceptionally well. But a game that you enjoy playing doesn't have to, and I found myself enjoying this raucous shooter more than I thought I would. It may have its own fair share of problems, but its low price and low barrier entry make it a serviceable and potentially hilarious time to be had solo or with your friends. Just drop the Contra from the title if it bothers you so much and give it a try.

This game definitely will let you down if you used to be a fan of Contra series.

Against: Rogue Corps is a twin-stick shooter with too many problems to achieve a more than satisfactory experience.

The player will be doing a lot of the same in Contra: Rogue Corps. Although the progression systems and multiple modes are welcome, the game is just ok, and it definitely doesn’t feel like Contra. If the price was less it would be a good budget title, but for Konami’s newest Contra offering, it just doesn’t cut the mustard.

Visually dowdy, full of grind and filled with daft decisions for the couch co-op. Even if you are a hardcore-fan of the franchise, you don’t need this. Even less, if you are looking for a decent twinstick shooter.

The addition of a couch-play co-op mode with its own story is nice, but the procedurally generated maps lack the finesse of the main story. Rogue Corps is an odd release. It’s not Contra enough for fans but just about fun enough for the casual shooter crowd. [Issue@168, p86]

The only real accolade you can award this run-of-the-mill release is that it’s inoffensive, but even then it’s almost offensively inoffensive – if you get what we mean. An unwieldy upgrade system, which sees you augmenting body parts to each of the four heroes, adds a bit of character to proceedings – but it’s somewhat cumbersome and confusing. You may eke some fun out of the ostentatious action playing with buddies both online and offline, but there are better games to backdrop your banter. The panda’s pretty rad, we suppose.