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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Make the Grade
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
 GAMES: 
Neo Contra integrates all of the classic shooting gameplay elements that have come to define this renowned series while bringing the experience to a 3D world. Longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise will find classic, fast-paced action as they battle huge bosses who will stop at nothing to keep them from completing their mission. Players will need quick reflexes to dodge enemy attacks as well as access an arsenal of powerful weapons to defeat deadly enemies. Set in the distant future, Neo Contra continues the adventure of the legendary hero, Bill Rizer, and introduces a visually striking new character to the series - Genbei Jaguer Yagyu, a mysterious Samurai. In addition to stylized characters, players will also experience realistic environmental destruction and explosions as they make their way through extremely detailed stages. The game's incredible CG cinematic sequences will also enhance its engaging storyline and overall dynamic visual design. [Konami]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 90
Gaming Target
It's short length keeps it from scoring any higher, but fans of Contra and shooter fans in general will find a great game in Neo Contra.
 86
Worth Playing
The game setup is also much easier than any others in the Contra series that I've played, but at the same time, it still more difficult than a wide variety of games.
85
Pelit (Finland)
A traditional and extremely addictive shoot 'em up. Its twisted humour is hilarious. A few more levels would not have hurt, though. [Mar. 05]
80
GamePro
The gameplay blows minds. The lush, detailed graphics and driving sountrack are the icing on the cake. [Dec 2004, p.108]
78
Game Informer
I'd estimate that Reiner and I completed the four main missions and fifth bonus mission on normal difficulty in about three or four hours. [Nov 2004, p.152]
77
Game Chronicles
I know that Neo Contra has built up my confidence enough that I am starting to toy with the idea of trying Shattered Ego…err…Soldier again if I can remember where I buried it in the backyard.
75
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
The 3D makeover is near-irrelevant - this is firmly rooted in decades-old 'classic' gameplay. Fun, but strangely out of place among more 'modern' PS2 experiences. [PSM2]
75
Game Over Online
A polished and relentless action game with some of the craziest levels in this console generation.
75
Play Magazine
Apoplectic shooting action that doesn't let us catch our breath till the hard-fought score is tallied up at the end of the level. [Nov 2004, p.48]
74
Gamezilla!
The environments and enemies will meet most expectations but there are times when slow down becomes a factor.
73
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Why must Neo Contra be so short? I want to see more giant plant-things with baby heads and talking dogs wearing Kaiser helmets. [Holiday 2004, p.117]
72
GameZone
Neo Contra’s greatest fault is that it ends before its time. Second, it’s a bit on the easy side when compared to other run-‘n’-gun shooters.
72
PSX Extreme
Ultimately, the game's biggest flaw is its duration. Most players will only need two or three hours to complete the final level.
70
IGN
Konami, give us back the jump. Give us back the eight-way shooting. Give us back Contra. If not, play "Smash TV," ditch the strafe lock, and put in a few more levels.
70
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
The development team should've built more levels instead of relying on the rating gimmick to extend Neo Contra's longevity. Without question, it's worth a rental since it only takes a few hours or so to complete. [Dec 2004, p.124]
70
Yahoo! Games
Neo Contra isn't as true to the original games as fans might wish, but nevertheless, it's a good attempt at recapturing the original's magic and a respectable action game in its own right.
70
GMR Magazine
The fact that Jaguar's flame katana - a standard weapon - can take down most bosses in less than five slashes...well, that just shouldn't be possible. [Dec 2004, p.128]
70
GameSpy
It's obvious that Nakazato wanted to create a Contra that was inclusionary to newbies, instead of exclusionary. In that he's succeeded. The only problem is that Neo Contra's average difficulty level will have the opposite effect, and turn off the old-timers. It's too bad, as a simple difficulty selection could have helped correct this.
68
GameSpot
The stages themselves are filled with over-the-top shooting action and twitch gameplay, so they're good for some kicks, even if Neo Contra ultimately doesn't provide much depth or challenge.
67
Gaming Nexus
This title just doesn’t have the longevity to get my recommendation.
65
eToychest
Offers a decent gameplay experience as an action title, but doesn't live up to the Contra name. It's short, easy, and far too sparse on epic boss fights.
65
PSM Magazine
Couldn't there be just a few more levels? Maybe some power-ups? [Holiday 2004, p.82]
64
My Gamer
All in all, Neo Contra plays like any 2D action game that goes vertical: less than it should. The game carries the name Contra, but the similarities in where it would count end there.
60
PALGN
Neo Contra is verbose, but brief.
60
GamerFeed
The game's on the short side, and it's for some reason a little easier than past incarnations, but it's a fun shooter that's great to play in short bursts. Plus, its zany characters and gorgeous FMV cut scenes put it so far over the top it'd be a crime not to pick it up.
60
GameCritics
With multiple endings, several unlockables, and a nice difficulty curve it's an enjoyable play. What frustrates me about Neo Contra is that it could have been another "Gunstar Heroes" had it taken the quality of its humor more seriously.
60
DarkStation
A game that really has the makings of a good game but doesn't stick around long enough to successfully show it off.
58
Gaming Age
In the end, if you loved Contra from the olden days, I suggest finding "Contra: Shattered Soldier," as it was more like the original.
50
Cheat Code Central
A little refinement would have made this game feel like a breath of fresh air. Instead I feel like I'm breathing in secondhand smoke. Good for a rental and nothing more.
50
Detroit Free Press
The controls, while not awful, are a bit too slow. Aiming can be a pain at times, and that'll cost you lives. For an action game, that's a sin.
40
G4 TV
Clunky controls and one-hit kills, along with a strangely absent option to either quit to the main menu during a game, or have a second player join any time are all annoying. More annoying, however, is that the game just doesn’t feel like a retro revamp of a true classic.
40
GameShark
They had to reach back to Berzerk’s, one-stick control scheme and then tack on a bunch of button presses to achieve what could have been done just by using both of the Dual Shock’s analog sticks.
40
PSX Nation
The programmers behind Neo Contra make some puzzling changes to the series’ classic formula that shoot the whole project to hell. It’s as if KCET ("Gradius V") wanted to destroy Contra instead of reviving it.
40
games(TM)
Neo Contra sees the series willing to move into a brave new world, but on this evidence it hasn’t put it’s best foot forward. [Feb 2005, p.92]
40
NTSC-uk
Neo Contra isn’t a terrible game; it simply fails to get the balance between running and gunning right, resting far too much emphasis on the latter. It’s fun for a quick blast, but doesn’t offer enough depth or difficulty to warrant extended play.
40
1UP
The selection of missions is a little sparse, and the game demands a near-perfect performance to unlock extra content, but that's far less of a problem compared to a control scheme that just isn't any fun.
40
Stuff
Don't bother dissecting the plot, as the incredibly short game ends abruptly, giving the impression that the creators quit halfway through. Sort of like us with therapy.
Kourtney L. gave it a 10: |
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