Contra: Hard Corps Uprising (Review) Xbox 360

The Contra series is synonymous with gaming. When Contra first appeared on Nintendo’s 8-bit NES system, gamers instantly fell in love with it.

Over the years, Contra has seen many incarnations. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System arguably had one of the best versions ever released (i.e. Super Contra), while the Playstation had Contra: Legacy of War – a terrible Contra remake with chunky graphics and questionable gameplay.

Contra: Hard Corps Uprising for Xbox 360 does not suffer from the mistakes made in the past. Unlike Legacy of War, HCU has returned to its 2D roots with incredible contrast.

Developed by Arc System Works, HCU takes the Contra series in a slightly different direction. As the story explains, the year is 2613 and several nations are under the control of the Commonwealth – an organization  owned by Tiberus. As a member of a group of elites, it is your job to challenge this organization.

While the story sounds typical for this type of game, the in-game action is the complete opposite.

There are plenty of features to choose from: Arcade Mode is pretty self-explanatory. Rising Mode allows you to customize your characters. There are two elites to choose from in the beginning (Bahamut and Kyrystal)  and everything from weapon upgrades to your character’s actions can be customized. Additionally, continues, health and extra lives can be added if unlocked.

There’s also an Online Mode, Help and Options (with instructions on how to play and customize your joypad), and even an  online Leader board to keep track of scores.

Aside from the aforementioned features, CHCU also offers intense gameplay that will surprise Contra fans. Unlike previous incarnations, HCU focuses on the action that made the series popular. The first level (known as the Desert) is absolutely breath-taking.

After being dropped off by a chopper, the game begins without hesitation. While the enemies look foreign (instead of Guerrilla soldiers and tanks, you’re attacked by hooded soldiers in black), the environment feels familiar. Weapon upgrades fly overhead, platforms are littered with enemy soldiers, and gun turrets are at every turn. The action is non-stop from start to finish.

Surprisingly, there are no checkpoints in any of the levels. Even if you continue during a boss battle, you are forced to replay the level from the beginning. Since the action is so unforgiving, forcing the player to start over can be very frustrating.

Boss encounters range from easy to extremely hard. The mid-boss encounters – like the motorcycle sequences  – have you dodging gun fire from a mechanical spider-like machine. Jump over the bullets, return fire, and avoid being rammed. Rinse, repeat.

The final boss encounters are not nearly as easy and require intense pattern memorization. Ironically, boss patterns will frequently change, completely throwing off your strategy.

At its core, HCU is very much like the Contra we remember. It controls very similar  (additions aside): the X button fires your weapons; A button jumps; Y button switches between weapons; and RB allows you to dash/run.  The dashing/running technique comes in handy during boss battles or avoiding aerial attacks.

On its surface, HCU’s HD graphics are absolutely beautiful. The 2D sprites move with fluidity, the explosions are bright and colorful, and the 3D backgrounds – while a bit sparse in the first level – come to life in later ones. While it can be argued that the improved graphics strip Contra of its identity, they bring the series into the modern age of gaming.

As an unofficial sequel to the franchise, Contra: Hard Corps Uprising offers enough knuckle-whitening action to keep any fan – or even newcomer – on the edge of his / her seat for hours. Plus, with all the extras that were added in, you would be hard-pressed to find yourself bored anytime soon.

CHCU will be available on February 16th for 1200 Microsoft Points during Xbox Live’s ‘House Party’.

Mike Pittaro
Platform: Xbox 360
Developer: Arc System Works
Publisher: Konami
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points

Review Score
Graphics
The 2D graphics are HD eye-candy.
Sound
A fantastic soundtrack rounds out the experience.
Gameplay
Classic Contra gameplay with new mechanics.

Overall
Fans and newcomers alike are in for a battle worthy of the Contra name.