Contra: Rogue Corps – A Thrilling Rebirth of the Classic Run-and-Gun Franchise

The Contra series is legendary among gaming enthusiasts, with its origins tracing back to the late 1980s. Known for its relentless action, co-op gameplay, and a difficulty level that could humble even the most seasoned gamers, Contra established itself as a pioneer in the run-and-gun genre. Fast forward to 2019, and Contra: Rogue Corps, also known as Contra: Deadly Resurrection, burst onto the scene, offering a fresh take on the iconic franchise. Though it brought new mechanics, visuals, and ideas to the table, Rogue Corps remained faithful to the chaotic spirit of its predecessors.

In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into Contra: Rogue Corps, examining its core features, gameplay innovations, and what makes it a unique but divisive entry in the Contra legacy.

A Bold New Direction: The Basics of Contra: Rogue Corps

Unlike previous Contra games, which predominantly featured side-scrolling, fast-paced action, Rogue Corps introduced a blend of third-person, top-down, and twin-stick shooting mechanics. Developed by Konami and directed by veteran series producer Nobuya Nakazato, the game was designed to offer a fresh perspective on the Contra universe while retaining the series’ signature intense combat and over-the-top action.

Set in a dystopian future, Rogue Corps picks up years after the events of Contra III: The Alien Wars. Players control a group of ex-military mercenaries, each with their own unique abilities and personalities, as they fight through waves of alien enemies in the Damned City – a chaotic, war-torn wasteland.

  • Top-Down/Twin-Stick Gameplay: One of the most notable departures in Rogue Corps is the switch to a top-down, twin-stick shooter format. This allows for 360-degree movement and shooting, giving players more control over their attacks and dodging maneuvers compared to the side-scrolling nature of older titles. The dynamic camera angles provide an immersive and frenetic combat experience that fits well with the modern gaming landscape.
  • Four Distinct Playable Characters: Another significant feature in Rogue Corps is its cast of four eccentric playable characters. Each has their own special abilities and weapons, offering a variety of playstyles to suit different preferences:
  • Kaiser: A cybernetically enhanced soldier with a powerful machine gun arm. He’s the balanced, all-around character in the roster.
  • Ms. Harakiri: A deadly assassin with a sword that can perform devastating melee attacks, particularly useful for close-quarters combat.
  • Hungry Beast: A giant panda outfitted with human consciousness and a brain implant, Hungry Beast is slower but equipped with heavy firepower to make up for it.
  • Gentleman: A brain-eating alien with a taste for combat. His unique skills revolve around speed and precision.

These diverse characters add depth to the gameplay, allowing players to experiment with different strategies depending on the enemies they face. Each character can be customized and upgraded as players progress, giving an RPG-like layer to the traditional Contra action.

Key Features and Gameplay Highlights

1. Cooperative Multiplayer and Teamplay

The Contra series has always shined brightest when played cooperatively, and Rogue Corps continues that tradition. The game allows for up to four players to team up either online or locally, making it perfect for friends who want to tackle the chaos together. The co-op gameplay focuses on teamwork, with each player’s abilities complementing those of their teammates. For example, one player can focus on crowd control with heavy artillery while another goes for precision attacks or takes on melee combatants.

Teamwork becomes crucial during boss fights, which are chaotic, large-scale encounters that require constant communication and coordination to survive. The fast-paced action, combined with strategic decision-making, ensures that multiplayer sessions are filled with intense moments of adrenaline and excitement.

2. Customization and Weapon Upgrades

Rogue Corps introduces a robust system for customizing characters and weapons. Players can collect resources and currency throughout the game, which can be used to upgrade their characters’ health, abilities, and weapons. This system adds depth to the game, as players are encouraged to grind levels, defeat enemies, and collect resources to enhance their arsenal.

Weapon customization is a significant part of the game’s appeal. Players can swap out various parts of their weapons, modifying their stats to suit different playstyles. Whether you prefer fast-firing machine guns or devastating rocket launchers, Rogue Corps provides a range of options to tweak and improve your loadout.

3. The Alien Horde: Diverse Enemy Design

The enemies in Rogue Corps are as diverse and grotesque as one would expect from a Contra title. Players face waves of alien invaders, mutant creatures, and massive bosses, each presenting unique challenges that require quick reflexes and smart tactics to overcome.

Boss fights, in particular, are a highlight. These massive, screen-filling enemies often have multiple phases and attack patterns that push players to their limits. Learning their moves, coordinating with teammates, and adapting to the environment are crucial to defeating these formidable foes.

4. Dynamic Environments and Destructible Terrain

The environments in Rogue Corps aren’t just set pieces – they’re part of the gameplay. The levels are filled with destructible elements that can be used to gain an advantage in combat. Blowing up barriers to reveal new paths or triggering environmental hazards to damage enemies adds a tactical layer to the run-and-gun formula.

The game’s levels are also designed to be dynamic and diverse. One moment you’re battling through a crumbling cityscape, and the next you’re fighting in a high-tech lab filled with dangerous traps and enemies lurking around every corner. This variety keeps the gameplay fresh and unpredictable.

The Highlights of Contra: Rogue Corps

Despite its departure from the traditional Contra formula, Rogue Corps has several standout features that elevate it in the modern gaming landscape.

1. Frenzied Action Meets Tactical Depth

While Contra has always been known for its relentless action, Rogue Corps adds a layer of tactical depth through its customization options, strategic use of terrain, and character-specific abilities. Players who thrive on chaos will still get their fix, but those who enjoy experimenting with different strategies and playstyles will find plenty of opportunities to engage in thoughtful decision-making during battles.

2. Vibrant and Eccentric Characters

The colorful cast of characters in Rogue Corps is a departure from the more straightforward heroes of past Contra games. The inclusion of an anthropomorphic panda and a brain-eating alien may seem odd at first, but these quirky characters add personality and humor to the game. Each character feels distinct not only in terms of gameplay but also in their personalities, making the experience more engaging.

3. Challenging Boss Fights

The Contra series is known for its punishing difficulty, and Rogue Corps delivers on this front with its challenging boss battles. These fights test the player’s ability to dodge, shoot, and think on their feet, often requiring multiple attempts to learn the patterns and strategies necessary to succeed. These encounters are some of the most memorable moments in the game, and overcoming a particularly tough boss is immensely satisfying.

What Could Be Improved

While Contra: Rogue Corps brings new ideas to the table, it is not without its flaws. The game’s top-down perspective and twin-stick controls take some getting used to, especially for players who are more accustomed to the side-scrolling action of classic Contra games. Additionally, the visuals, while functional, are not as polished as one might expect from a modern title, with some players finding the graphics underwhelming.

Another criticism is the repetitive nature of certain levels. While the game offers a variety of environments, some sections can feel like they’re reusing the same mechanics, which may cause some players to experience fatigue during longer play sessions.

Contra: Rogue Corps is a bold reimagining of a beloved franchise. While it takes significant departures from the series’ traditional formula, it retains the chaotic action and challenge that made Contra a household name in gaming. The game’s quirky characters, frenetic gameplay, and challenging boss fights offer a fresh experience for fans of the genre.

For those looking for a game that mixes nostalgia with new ideas, Contra: Rogue Corps delivers an adrenaline-fueled journey through a bizarre and dangerous world. While it may not appeal to every purist of the original series, it stands as an ambitious attempt to push Contra into new territory while respecting the core elements that made the series great.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous post BioShock Infinite: A Dystopian Masterpiece with a Timeless Appeal
Next post Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Legends of the Vanished – A New Chapter in Turtle Power