Contra 4 is made in the best traditions of the series and uses many ideas from previous games. The game is fully 2D and has 9 levels in two types. Traditionally, six levels are created in side view for the series style, with transportation levels in between. Three levels are made in rear view, acting as a base in Contra. The gameplay is similar to Contra III: The Alien Wars.
Most levels are based on the levels from the earlier sections (including Operation C and Contra: Hard Corps). Bosses have returned and have become stronger. The music features both quality remixes and new melodies that delight us. The characters in the game have voices—expressions familiar to those who have played previous installments (“Locked and Loaded!”, “Time for Revenge”, etc.). Voice acting can be turned off.
Before starting the game, you can adjust the difficulty level (the best ending is only available on Hard) and choose a hero—Bill Reiser, Lance Bean, Mad Dog, or Scorpion. After completing test mode, five more heroes will become available.
Due to the platform’s characteristics, the action occurs immediately on two screens, arranged vertically, containing a small gap that could bring a lot of trouble when meeting the game. The player can move between screens using a hook, allowing for a quick transition to a higher position. In 3D levels, the action only takes place on the upper screen, while the map is displayed below.
The weapon system is close to Contra III—the player can use the same weapons (and another machine gun), which may behave slightly differently, and can hold two weapons at once. All types of weapons fire automatically. Similar to Super Contra (Arcade), there is a chance to power up a weapon by picking it up twice. You can throw a weapon away and pick it up again. Instead of portable bombs, returning bombs clear the screen instantly. There are new weapon types in test mode.
Contra 4 can provide hours of gameplay. After completing the Arcade mode (which is available at the beginning of the mode with three difficulty levels that determine the number of levels and the ending), the Challenge mode is unlocked. In this mode, you need to pass 40 different complexity tests, which is worth it—the rewards include chances to play Contra and Super C for NES, additional characters, interviews with Nobuya Nakazato, the creator of the series, and official comics. You can listen to the film music from Contra 3 and Contra 4.
### Arsenal
The array of weapons in Contra 4 absorbs all the main weapon types from previous installments. Similar to Contra III, a player can carry two types of weapons at once and all weapon types are automatic. Like in Super Contra (Arcade), there is a chance to power up a weapon by picking it up twice. The player can obtain various bonuses by breaking special containers and flying capsules found in levels with special enemies either in side views or bases.
The game includes the following arsenal:
– **Normal Weapon**: a rifle, a standard weapon. It explodes at low speed, but the firing rate can be increased by frequently pressing the fire button.
– **Machine Gun (M)**: a machine gun that fires rapidly. Upgrade – dual machine gun.
– **Spread Gun (S)**: a shotgun that hits three flying bullets. Upgrade – fires five bullets.
– **Laser Gun (L)**: a laser that fires a short fast beam that penetrates enemies. Upgrade – fires with wider beams.
– **Fireball Gun (F)**: a flame thrower that fires small fireballs in a spiral. Upgrade – fires a fireball that splits into four pieces when hit.
– **Crush Missiles (C)**: a rocket launcher that fires short-range missiles. When colliding with an enemy or a wall, a rocket creates a powerful explosion. Upgrade – fires large missiles that fly long distances.
– **Homing Missiles (H)**: guided missiles that hit with explosions. Upgrade – fires three flying fan shots.
– **Barrier (B)**: a force field that protects the hero for a limited time.
– **Falcon Bomb**: a non-letter icon that instantly destroys all enemies on the screen.
Only two types of weapons are available in test mode:
– **V Homing Missiles**: typically fires five guided missiles that miss enemies. The rockets themselves are miniatures of the Vic Viper spacecraft from the Gradius series.
– **Classic Laser Gun**: a classic laser from Contra and Super Contra that pulls short beams. An interesting feature of this weapon is that a new shot will cause the existing beam to disappear, allowing you to keep the beam close to yourself.
Additionally, in the first level, a player can use a funicular that allows them to safely surpass part of the level.
### The Plot
Two years have passed since the invasion of the Crimson Viper in 2638. Everything was fine, but the Black Viper unexpectedly attacked Earth, turning life into a living hell. Peaceful life has become a distant memory, and all the benefits of saving the planet were quickly forgotten.
Meanwhile, a strange signal was detected in the Galuga Archipelago off the coast of New Zealand. The world’s best soldiers (Bill, Lance, Mad Dog, and Scorpion) were sent for the final blow… human beings’ last hope.
After fierce battles, the Black Viper was destroyed.
