#Gradius rebirth levels series#

The sound effects and music are unarguably some strong points of this game. In a similar effect, the Japanese title screen is very reminiscent of the MSX2 version of Contra. The remade music and menus are reminiscent of Arcade Super Contra and Contra Hard Corps, respectively. The foundation of Contra ReBirth evokes a strong arcade feel. Its core gameplay uses Contra III as a base and integrates elements from all of the early games in the series. Despite unrealistic expectations from players for a game as extensive as Contra 4, the essential Contra gameplay and camp are retained in this Wiiware release. By choosing 'Continue' at the menu screen, you'll simply start from the beginning of the last checkpoint.Contra ReBirth is yet another throwback to the classic Contra experience. The checkpoints are also a lot easier to swallow, and even if your game ends, you won't have to start completely from scratch.

ReBirth, however, is undoubtedly more forgiving than Contra 4, allowing you to set up to seven lives for your character and offering endless continues. Old-time fans are well familiar with how Contra works, but newcomers will likely be in for a rude awakening when they find themselves looking at the 'Game Over' screen before making it halfway through the first level. Oh yeah, one hit, one kill - not for the enemies but for you. For those who enjoyed Contra 4 on the Nintendo DS, this might be a bit of a sore spot. However, considering the difficulty of bosses and certain other enemies, having to stop in order to fire can mean instant death. Locking your position into place while shooting in these areas really helps in terms of keeping you from constantly falling to your demise.

On the one hand, some parts of a level might present you with very narrow outcroppings you'll need to navigate whilst blasting your way through hordes of enemies and automated turrets. This is both a good thing and a not-so-good thing. One particular issue we do have to point out is that your character can't move while shooting. Running and gunning through Contra ReBirth is as fun as any game should be in this day and age, but it doesn't bring anything new to the table, either. It's hard to knock it, though, since the formula still holds up quite well. You can still only aim in eight directions - no true analog control - and enemies act in set patterns and behaviors. ReBirth actually doesn't deviate much at all from past games in the franchise. The variety in ReBirth is a tad sparse, but the weapons that are included definitely differ significantly, making each one particularly valuable in certain situations.

#Gradius rebirth levels series#

The Contra and Metal Slug series have always had a lot in common, and one of the highlights of both is the selection of weapons you pick up throughout levels. The controls are incredibly tight and easy to get into, and the mix of platforming and shooting is pretty much spot-on. Still, the levels are fast, furious, and a ton of fun. There are five 'Areas' to play through, each with its own distinct feel, but unfortunately, there aren't any areas that offer the type of behind-the-back combat seen in past games.

The story is told by way of still images and text, and though the presentation offers little pizzazz, it gets the job done, maybe even eliciting a chuckle here and there.Д¬ontra ReBirth harkens back to arcade games of the past, and it's meant to be played in a single sitting. You're a Contra (special-ops type of guy), and Earth is in need of your help against the alien invasion of Chief Salamander and the Neo-Salamander army. The game starts off with a short exposition, wherein your character is awoken from a sort of cryogenic sleep.

The games are famous for being incredibly difficult, and ReBirth lives up to that legacy on WiiWare. If you're not already familiar with the Contra series, it's a run-and-gun shooter with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. Are you man enough to take on the challenge? Along with developers M2, Konami now brings Wii owners a 'ReBirth' of the franchise. Titles such as Battle Toads and Ninja Gaiden will be long remembered for offering up incredible challenge, but Contra is certainly one of the most prolific and well-loved series in the pantheon of player-crushing games. Though gaming has continued to change throughout the decades, with many tweaks geared toward opening up the medium to mainstream audiences, there are still many gamers who like it rough.