Neo Contra
A return to multidirectional shooting in a prison planet setting.
Neo Contra is the tenth video game in the Contra series, published by Konami and released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004. Developed by Team Neo Kijirushi, a group within Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, it is a direct follow-up to Contra: Shattered Soldier. It was the first game in the series to receive an M (Mature) rating from the ESRB, a distinction it held until Rogue Corps in 2019.
Quick Facts
- Publisher
- Konami
- Series
- Contra
- Director
- Takayuki Ando
- Producer
- Nobuya Nakazato
- Artist
- Jim Lee (US & PAL cover art)
- Composer
- Sota Fujimori
- Platforms
- PlayStation 2, PlayStation Network
- Genre
- Run and gun
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Neo Contra returns the series to three-dimensional gameplay, but players only need to aim in the third dimension on rare occasions. The game moves away from boss-oriented gameplay in favor of longer free-form shooting sequences interspliced with boss encounters, reminiscent of the 8-bit and SNES Contra games. Gameplay varies depending on the level and camera angle, which cannot be user-controlled; most of the game is played from an isometric perspective, with some portions being side-scrolling or overhead-behind. The player cannot jump; instead, dash and spin provide evasion, with spin granting brief invulnerability. The hit-ratio system from Shattered Soldier is retained. The game uses a modified three-weapon configuration: two firearms for ground targets (one with regular ammo, one with flammable rounds) and a third weapon to lock on to airborne targets. Players choose from three initially available weapon sets, with four additional time-release sets. The Type F configuration includes the GV Laser and Ripple Laser from Gradius V. Weapon sets can vary depending on the character; Katana Jaguar uses his katana sword in all his sets.
Plot
In the year 4444 A.D., Earth has become a prison planet for criminals and political rebels. A new order called Neo Contra rises, but its true plans involve more than restoring civilization. Four renegade Contras, the Four Elite, execute these plans under the command of Master Contra. Bill Rizer is partnered with Genbei "Jaguar" Yagyu and sent to Earth to deal with the threat. After defeating the Four Elite, the heroes discover that Neo Contra is a facade for Project C, a plan to create a half-human AI from Bill Rizer's DNA. Bill Rizer is revealed to be a clone of the original Bill Rizer. With help from Mystery G, an elder Contra operative, the heroes defeat Master Contra and end Project C.
Characters
Bill Rizer, the supreme Contra warrior, is awoken from cryogenic sleep to destroy the Neo Contra threat; he is a clone of the original Bill Rizer, a result of Project C. Genbei "Jaguar" Yagyu is a samurai Contra and Bill's partner, a mysterious dark-skinned humanoid alien (or African American) who follows the samurai code and is the only character able to wield the Katana; he is based on the real-life black samurai Yasuke. The Four Hell Warriors of Neo Contra are Guerilla Contra, Plant Contra, Pheromone Contra (Lucia, who assisted Bill in Contra: Shattered Soldier), and Animal Contra, a talking Bull Terrier. Mystery G is a mysterious elderly Contra operative acknowledged to be the actual Bill Rizer. Master Contra, the leader of Neo Contra, is the main result of Project C: a bionic AI combining the original Bill Rizer's DNA and consciousness with cybernetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms is Neo Contra available on?
Neo Contra was released for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Network.
Who directed Neo Contra?
Neo Contra was directed by Takayuki Ando.
Who composed the music for Neo Contra?
The music for Neo Contra was composed by Sota Fujimori.
More in Konami Games of the 2000s
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