Contra: Shattered Soldier

By: Michael Levy
Egg-laying monsters getting grinded up and being eaten by phallic looking larger monsters? Check. Giant rotting fish with human faces? Check. Transformers that just don't die? Check. Welcome back, folks. Contra missed you.

Those of you who have never played Contra have been missing out. Regardless, this is a good place to start. Please keep in mind that before purchasing this game you need to be:

1. A masochist

2. Love the sound of your own screaming

3. You don't mind throwing your controller at your TV

4. You have a strong stomach

The game begins with a plane crashing into the ground. From there, it's straight-forward into battle. The game is a classic platformer/shooter, and involves travelling (typically) left to right on the screen, firing weapons at everything and anything that moves. In previous installments, there were powerups. However, in this newest incarnation, everything you require is at your fingertips. There are 3 different guns that have two different modes. The machine gun also shoots multi-rounds out of one cartridge. There is a flamethrower that can also be used to shoot a long flame projectile. Finally, a grenade launcher is a main option to the alternate seeker missiles.



Don't look for a plot in this or any of the Contra games. There is none. The cut scenes are easily skippable, and typically involve moments that could have been written better. Dialog feels broken and there is no voice acting. Everything about the game feels classic, yet updated for the current generation. Except for the difficulty.

The reason why I said earlier that you'll be throwing your controller is that YOU WILL. This game's difficulty is through the roof, and only for people who enjoy memorization, cheap deaths, and no second chances (there are 3 continues on Normal and you only get 3 lives- one hit kill). For the people who wanted an old school Contra game, they have it with Shattered Soldier. Plus the creativity that went into the characters (Lucia is a great addition to the game, but I wish more was revealed about her) and monsters is fantastic. All the monsters and creatures are pervertedly messed up in one way or another.



Musically, this game rocks, literally. The music is heavy metal mixed with techno and trance, and it all sounds really fantastic. Some of you might recognize some of the songs from the original Contra games, but most are newer. A few have even been remixed and made into Dance Dance Revolution songs. The sound effects are on par with the music. Prepare to download (or purchase like I did) the soundtrack, because it will be a great addition to your driving music.

Overall, this game's difficulty is the main problem with the game itself. The game is way too difficult, however, if you're a glutton for punishment and have a fiending for some old school platform shooting you can sink your teeth into, you'll enjoy this healthy addition to an as-of-late starving franchise.

4 star(s) out of 5

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