Remember Contra? The game that ate your quarters, stole your best friend’s life, and still kinda ruled? Well, Contra: Operation Galuga is here to bring that classic mayhem back, but this time with a few modern tricks up its sleeve. It’s a heart-pounding trip down memory lane, but does it have the firepower to take down today’s run-and-gun competition?
Old School Mayhem, New School Moves
Story-wise, it’s the usual – Bill, Lance, and some new faces are back on that cursed island to blow up aliens. The cutscenes are a bit of a drag, but hey, we’re here to shoot, not chat. And shooting feels awesome! The classic spread gun, lasers, and homing missiles make a comeback, but now they level up if you snag the same power-up twice. It’s that perfect loop of getting stronger as you carve through hordes of baddies. You also get a snazzy double jump and dash from the start, making you way more agile than the clunky dudes of old.
The snag? Well, even on the default settings you lose upgraded guns when you get hit, and a death sends you back to your basic pea shooter. Ouch. But hold on, Operation Galuga lets you cushion the blow! You earn credits by playing well, and can spend them on perks like permanent weapon upgrades, extra lives, or even keeping your good stuff after dying once. It’s a smart way to let you adjust the difficulty to your liking.
Feels Great, But Looks a Bit Flat
When the action’s firing on all cylinders, it’s pure Contra bliss. Leaping around a hail of bullets, switching weapons on the fly, taking down some giant boss… it’s the good stuff. Stages are short, but replayable, with an Arcade mode if you’re an old-school purist. There’s even some optional Challenge stages if you’re a hardcore masochist.
But here’s the thing… the story’s goofy, but kinda goes nowhere. Worse, the whole game looks so…dull. Everything’s got this shiny plastic action figure vibe, and it just doesn’t have the same charm as the old pixel art. It needed something way bolder, more stylized.
PROS
- Feels like classic Contra: The core run-and-gun gameplay, iconic weapons, and challenging levels evoke that classic Contra experience.
- Modernized mechanics: Double jump, dash, and weapon upgrades keep the formula feeling fresh without sacrificing the classic feel.
- Perks shop: Lets you tailor the difficulty and playstyle to your liking, adding strategy and replayability.
- Adrenaline-pumping action: When the combat clicks, it’s an intense and satisfying blast of mayhem.
- Nostalgic for series veterans: Recreates classic levels and boss fights with updated mechanics and visuals.
CONS
- Short campaign: The main story can be beaten in a few hours.
- Bland visuals: The shiny, plastic-looking art style lacks personality and charm.
- Overly wordy story: Cutscenes drag on, and the story ultimately feels inconsequential.
- Limited content: Outside of the main campaign, there’s the Arcade Mode and Challenge stages, but not much to keep players engaged long-term.
- Relies heavily on nostalgia: May not be as compelling to players without experience with past Contra titles.
Verdict
Contra: Operation Galuga gets the core right. Upgraded weapons, new moves, it feels like Contra stepped into the modern era without losing its soul. But with the short campaign and plain visuals, it doesn’t quite become a must-play.
If you’re a diehard Contra fan, it’s well worth getting, especially if you tweak the difficulty down a bit with perks. Newcomers looking for a good run-and-gun might find it fun too, but be prepared for some of that classic difficulty!
