Contra: Operation Galuga

Many pretenders and contenders have attempted to lay claim to Contra’s run-and-gun throne over the years, with some glowingly successful and others failing abysmally, but Contra: Operation Galuga largely preserves its legacy with this faithful recreation of the much-loved 1980s classic. While Operation Galuga won’t offer fans anything shocking or out of the ordinary, it’s still a pleasing upgrade they’ll be clamouring for. There’s plenty in here to relish, and it’s not bloated with new features and ideas that could otherwise jeopardize this renewed relic. Yes, more could’ve been done to reinvent the classic gameplay, but one shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken, and so Operation Galuga is a successful if formulaic return for one of gaming’s most hardcore franchises.

While it never transcends its own limitations and fumbles, Operation Galuga is a solid entry into the Contra franchise that is fun enough to play on its own merits.

Contra Operation Galuga is a welcomed return to form for this classic franchise, but it is also a 101 scrolling shooter that takes very few risks. We sincerely hope to see Wayforward again at work with this brand and to see them unleash their talent without restraints.

Contra: Operation Galuga is a fine retelling of the game that kicked the run-and-gun formula into mainstream gaming. It retains that arcade feeling along with the bells and whistles you’d expect for a console release, and the introduction of more multiplayer slots would make this a great party game, or one to play late at night when you just want to switch your brain off and talk about life. Where it falters is how memorable it is, as when you’ve rolled credits it’s unlikely you’ll be eager for a second playthrough unless you fancy upgrading the challenge with the difficulty settings.

I’m not the world’s biggest fan of Contra in the first place, but I’ve always admired the series for challenging and inspiring so many players over the decades. Likewise, I understand what WayForward’s done with this remake of the original. I appreciate the effort to try and find a broader audience. But if that was the goal they should have properly built the game around that kind of experience, rather than half-measuring it and then giving players the ability to just ignore it all. The complete lack of confidence in actually following through with whatever creative vision WayForward took into this project, unfortunately, leaves the entire experience feeling soulless.

A metroidvania adventure with immersive atmosphere and slow-paced gameplay, The Mobius Machine offers solid action in labyrinthine maps with a variety of enemies and platforming challenges. Despite minor flaws like delayed map acquisition and floaty jump controls, its striking graphics and sound design enhance the otherworldly experience, making it a noteworthy title in the genre.

Contra: Operation Galuga tries above all to impress with nostalgia, but this cannot conceal the sterile graphics and the sometimes irritating collision detection. Indie homages have now overtaken the arcade forefather, even if it can be a lot of fun in 4-player co-op.

A disappointingly timid reboot/remake that while competently made does little to add to the Contra formula or move beyond the original games.