Are those Contra 4 tilesets I see in the waterfall area?
Some of it, but actually I am using alot of modular mapping as well as photoshop to get some unique looking maps. Don't forget too, this is just the base maps. Alot of those open areas will be accented with other modular pieces (i.e. plants) so that the areas look full and I may add more props or too.
As for stages, it's looking like it's going to be 12 stages in the game total. 6 for each character respectfully, with hidden stages about and such. The stages are, Stoker's Fable; Snowfield; Neo City; Ghost Ship; Cario, Egypt; Berlin, Germany; Alien's Lair; Demon Castle War type stage;Jungle, Contra base type stage;Industral;and a Contra top down.