Topic: NEW Contra x2!

[RichterB]

Contra fans have already heard about the announced 3DS Contra in the works for months now. But today, Konami announced a big, new Contra that supposedly promises to be Lords of Shadow level in scale. I hope they keep it true to the series in spirit and atmosphere (I do not want a Gears of War skin), but I am very excited by this news. Contra deserves the next-gen treatment. Neither new Contra has in-game footage yet, but I'm hoping for the best.

SOURCE: http://www.1up.com/news/new-contra-game-teased-konami

[Munchy]

*edited for Cox not actually being involved*

C'moooon WayForward 3DS game.

[beingthehero]

If it's Cox, I have a dreaded feeling that it's going to be as derivative as possible. And perhaps an 'all your base are belong to us' joke thrown in.

Man, just give it back to WayForward and let's see what they can do with a huge budget.

[Kingshango]

Someone on Twitter asked Cox if he is involved with this game, he replied "wish it was." So that answeres that, plus he not even at E3 this year anyway to unveil it.

So if Cox isn't behind this, who is?

[Francis]

So if Cox isn't behind this, who is?

IGA maybe?

[Renonsgoods]

Question is....what is a 3D Contra supposed to play like?  The third person shooter genre has been done to death for quite a while now.  I don't see how anyone can pull this off and have it not feel like a derivative reskin of something else.

[Kingshango]

A combination of Vanquish, Gears of War(insane mode), Lost Planet 2, add some jumping acrobatics and impossible rocket riding and there goes your 3D Contra.

[Munchy]

IGA maybe?

Well, provided it were 2D and stage based, I'd be pleased if it were. Or someone from Konami Japan overseeing the undoubtedly Western developers, like they're doing with NeverDead (which I'm quite eager to play), which is being produced by Rebellion under Shinta somethingerother, who made MGS Ghost Babel.

Question is....what is a 3D Contra supposed to play like?  The third person shooter genre has been done to death for quite a while now.  I don't see how anyone can pull this off and have it not feel like a derivative reskin of something else.

I think the PS1 game ONE is a pretty close rendition of a 3D Contra. It would be pretty difficult to pull off a TPS with the speed and twitch dodging of 2D Contra, but if someone thinks they can pull that off and not just make a GoW clone I'll be watching with heavy anticipation.

Good to see people mentioning Vanquish. While I despised the fact that it was yet another cover system game (I fucking hate cover and can never get the hang of it), it certainly encapsulates the heavy on-screen chaos games like Contra and Metal Slug are known for.

Man, just give it back to WayForward and let's see what they can do with a huge budget.

Konami: LOL NO *returns to HQ to snort fifteen lines of Drano*

[beingthehero]

I think Igarashi got a special thanks in Contra Rebirth. I heard that title was pretty great, if only for the cheese overload.

That said, I'm also curious to see how they present this, if not dreading it. I just hope they don't try to make it generic. As much as it would be great to see a 2D shooter, and as great as Shattered Soldier is, I think the current approach is to relegate 2D games to handhelds and downloadable titles. I guess it'll be something akin to Gears of War (or first person shooter, which would be a shame). That said, this will definitely be the biggest budget Contra ever, so at least graphically it'll be great.

[RichterB]

Question is....what is a 3D Contra supposed to play like?  The third person shooter genre has been done to death for quite a while now.  I don't see how anyone can pull this off and have it not feel like a derivative reskin of something else.

I think Neo Contra laid a lot of groundwork. Just need to open up the camera like Vanquish and add platforming like the 3D Bionic Commando. It could be a very unique game.

Contra 4 was basically an A+
Contra Rebirth was a solid B, despite being somewhat flawed (can't earn extra lives from high scores).
Hard Corps Uprising I never played; didn't fully seem like Contra.

[X]

I think Neo Contra laid a lot of groundwork. Just need to open up the camera like Vanquish and add platforming like the 3D Bionic Commando. It could be a very unique game.

Sounds like you've never heard of, or played Contra: Shattered soldier (PS2). That game was full 3D but it played like the classic 2D contra titles before it. The two contra titles for the original playstation weren't all that great and they were the first to bring contra into the world of 3D. But by far the best 3D contra of them all was Shattered soldier. Play it if you haven't.

-X

[RichterB]

I think Neo Contra laid a lot of groundwork. Just need to open up the camera like Vanquish and add platforming like the 3D Bionic Commando. It could be a very unique game.

Sounds like you've never heard of, or played Contra: Shattered soldier (PS2). That game was full 3D but it played like the classic 2D contra titles before it. The two contra titles for the original playstation weren't all that great and they were the first to bring contra into the world of 3D. But by far the best 3D contra of them all was Shattered soldier. Play it if you haven't.

-X

Oh, I played Shattered Soldier. Even got through the secret level. It was very fun and pretty, but it was ultimately a 2D game, despite the 3D engine, and it rested too much on the laurels of Contra III and Contra: Hard Corps, IMO. In all honestly, while you could make a superior 2.5D Contra than Shattered Soldier (some elements of 4 and Rebirth showed that), I'd very much like to see an attempt at going full-on 3D for once. Contra is the king of run-n-gun, and I'd love to see it redefine 3rd person 3D shooters with its brand of insanity. In that regard, I mentioned Neo Contra, because it was a step closer to that than Shattered Soldier. (The 3D Contra Spirits for N64 was teased a long time ago, and was dropped. We never got to see that era's interpretation as we did with Castlevania, so this could be a fully fresh experience). When it comes to 2D or 2.5D Contra, I figure that's what the 3DS will deliver, and in that area, Contra needs to push itself harder and not base half of its levels on old ideas. Too much nostalgia hurts innovation. It's crippled Zelda by and large up to this point.

[X]

It's crippled Zelda by and large up to this point.

Personally I feel that what did the Zelda series in was too much innovation and wacky ideas rather then sticking with what worked. In terms of Neo Contra, it's no different then Shattered soldier except that Neo contra employes an isometric view rather then Shattered soldier's side-scrolling like with traditional Contra games. Shattered soldier is a full 3D game. It is evident throughout the play and I was certainly not disappointed when Konami brought us that game. I was a little disappointed with Neo Contra because they didn't stick with the side-scroller shoot'm up style. Contra 4 was a blast and I still play that game to death. Contra ReBirth was alright. The game play was solid, however I felt the graphical representations were mediocre at best. They weren't nearly in the same league as Contra 4 which again, disappointed me somewhat. Hardcore Uprising was also a sweet game to play though I have issues with the story that it represents since it seems to conflict with the rest of the series established by Shattered soldier backstory.

-X

[RichterB]

It's crippled Zelda by and large up to this point.

Personally I feel that what did the Zelda series in was too much innovation and wacky ideas rather then sticking with what worked. In terms of Neo Contra, it's no different then Shattered soldier except that Neo contra employes an isometric view rather then Shattered soldier's side-scrolling like with traditional Contra games. Shattered soldier is a full 3D game. It is evident throughout the play and I was certainly not disappointed when Konami brought us that game. I was a little disappointed with Neo Contra because they didn't stick with the side-scroller shoot'm up style. Contra 4 was a blast and I still play that game to death. Contra ReBirth was alright. The game play was solid, however I felt the graphical representations were mediocre at best. They weren't nearly in the same league as Contra 4 which again, disappointed me somewhat. Hardcore Uprising was also a sweet game to play though I have issues with the story that it represents since it seems to conflict with the rest of the series established by Shattered soldier backstory.

-X

Well, strangely, that flaming C was all the Contra at E3 apparently. I hear what you're saying about Shattered Soldier, but a lot of the same could be said for Neo Contra, and I just find isometric view, as well as the novel idea of up and down depth for aerial enemies that was added in, to be more 3D in my mind. I liked both games, though. I skipped Uprising. Um, as for Zelda, you're right on your point, as well. But, if that's the case, we need to be talking about Zelda 1, 2, and Link's Awakening. Every other game had a gimmick of its design--some better than others. The problem is not letting the gimmick get in the way on regular on-land exploration and openness of progression. Also, though, I still think Zelda has a problem with getting stuck in the ruts of Fire Level, Water Level, etc. It needs to be more creative than that and less obvious, which it was earlier on prior to OOT.

[X]

Well, strangely, that flaming C was all the Contra at E3 apparently. 

Maybe they feel it'll be such a hit they don't want to spoil the surprise for us. But I think nowadays such thinking is at best, a shot in the dark. We'll just have to wait and see.

-X