Contra 4

Magus · 12-08-2007, 12:26 AM

I got a game over on the first level while playing Normal. I don't mean just a game over game over. I mean a completely out of continues game over. And then it happened again on the second level. TWICE, no wait, THREE times.

So I decided to give Easy a try. It only took two attempts to beat it completely (though it was close the second time--I only had one continue left). Also beat enough Challenges to get the original Contra unlocked, which seemed like a walk in the park in comparison to this game. I'll have to get Super Contra unlocked next (I liked it better than the first Contra).

While I'm a bit dismayed at the jump in difficulty when going from Easy to Normal (and fairly sure that Hard will never be completed by me on this mortal plane, perhaps if I die and become ethereal I can attempt it) I guess it really wouldn't be Contra if it wasn't absolutely gut-wrenchingly--WHY IS IT SO HARD?!

Seriously. Even Contra: Hard Corps. was easier (well, if you used the little robot guy, who is the best character ever), and Contra 3, Shattered Soldier and Neo Contra were pushovers in comparison. Some of it has to do with the dual screens cutting down on your ability to see stuff coming at moments (and the Waterfall levels jumps were poorly designed), but even that isn't an excuse for my pathetic performance. I am simply ashamed of myself.

Anyone else enjoying the sweet, sweet, pseudo-masochistic embrace of Contra 4?

Mirai Gen · 12-08-2007, 01:07 AM

Oh god yes. I've been playing it for (What feels like) months. I practically have level 1 and level 2 memorized on Normal, and I still can't beat it. It's just the unbearable difficulty in the ruined city level that does me in - Like four running guys, two running guys who can shoot, the bugs that swoop in and pick you up, grenade throwers...just BHASLSDAJFRAFJK STOP SHOOTING ME.

Fantastic but frustrating game.

Magus · 12-08-2007, 02:24 AM

Well, I've only beaten that level on Easy (which is the last level on that mode), but just the fact that they had all of that, AND there are those little impossible to hit slugs that crawl on the wire to kill your character while all that other stuff is going on...one gets the feeling this game exists only to create frustration. And yet I keep playing.

You know what part I hate (besides all those other parts). That part where you're climbing on the side of the rocket. For some reason the guy doesn't like to grab a hold of the right handles, and misses them sometimes. It's really epic when you jump up onto the rear and dodge the thruster fire and then crash down into the city on it, though. I especially like how all three thrusters look like they're going to light up and you're like "AW SHI-" and then they die out.

I mean besides all those other awesome parts.

Mirai Gen · 12-08-2007, 02:27 AM

The trick for that boss is to recognize the fact that there's a verticle grapple-spot just above him. Slide down, empty a Machine 2/Spreadshot 2 into him, slide down, empty a few more, slide down, empty a few more, jump up and up-grapple, leap down to the right and grab the slide pole, repeat.

But god yes this game is great but fuckin impossible.

Magus · 12-08-2007, 02:38 AM

I actually didn't have much trouble with the bosses per se (I mean, except like the first time you meet them, of course), because unlike so much of the rest of the game they follow a very specific pattern (most of the time). Whereas the rest of the time bullets are flying at all kinds of different angles and crap, and the running and flying enemies are randomized, and all of that. Maybe that was why Shattered Soldier was easier, the game was 75% boss battles and the run and gun sections were about 90% pattern based as well, whereas with this thing it really throws stuff at you that you aren't prepared for and really can't prepare for (at least the first ten times).

bananarama · 12-08-2007, 04:48 AM

Is there on-line co-op? If so, how is it?

Axl · 12-08-2007, 04:50 AM

No online Co-Op. Just regular wireless whatnots.

Helps a ton once you both get your act together.

A TON.

Also do Challenge Mode. By the time you finish that you'll be able to do Normal no sweat.

EVILNess · 12-08-2007, 11:08 AM

After I beat Contra 3 I told myself never again. My soul (and controllers) can't take this shit.

Of course now I have to go buy this.

Magus · 12-09-2007, 12:40 AM

Yeah, what you said about the Challenges helping on Normal is very true, and playing on Hard and then going back to Normal always helps as well! Not that I've BEATEN Normal yet, but I'm doing better, anyway...freakin' game...

A comment on the co-op, you also need two cartridges. I guess it was too big a game to go the Download Play route.

Oh, and I found the emulations of both Contra and Super C to be spot-on. I would've like Contra III thrown in there but when they looked at the economy of space and the fact you can buy a version of Contra III for GBA they probably went, "Two NES games sounds pretty easy."

Actually one of these days I'm looking for a Contra anniversary package.

Professor Smarmiarty · 12-09-2007, 02:17 AM

Seriously, u,u, d, d, l, r, l, r, B, A and you're sorted.
Oh dear me, how do I still remember that are all these years.

12-08-2007, 12:26 AM	#1
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	Contra 4 I got a game over on the first level while playing Normal. I don't mean just a game over game over. I mean a completely out of continues game over. And then it happened again on the second level. TWICE, no wait, THREE times. So I decided to give Easy a try. It only took two attempts to beat it completely (though it was close the second time--I only had one continue left). Also beat enough Challenges to get the original Contra unlocked, which seemed like a walk in the park in comparison to this game. I'll have to get Super Contra unlocked next (I liked it better than the first Contra). While I'm a bit dismayed at the jump in difficulty when going from Easy to Normal (and fairly sure that Hard will never be completed by me on this mortal plane, perhaps if I die and become ethereal I can attempt it) I guess it really wouldn't be Contra if it wasn't absolutely gut-wrenchingly--WHY IS IT SO HARD?! Seriously. Even Contra: Hard Corps. was easier (well, if you used the little robot guy, who is the best character ever), and Contra 3, Shattered Soldier and Neo Contra were pushovers in comparison. Some of it has to do with the dual screens cutting down on your ability to see stuff coming at moments (and the Waterfall levels jumps were poorly designed), but even that isn't an excuse for my pathetic performance. I am simply ashamed of myself. Anyone else enjoying the sweet, sweet, pseudo-masochistic embrace of Contra 4? __________________ The Valiant Review

12-08-2007, 01:07 AM	#2
Mirai Gen We are Geth. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 14,032	Oh god yes. I've been playing it for (What feels like) months. I practically have level 1 and level 2 memorized on Normal, and I still can't beat it. It's just the unbearable difficulty in the ruined city level that does me in - Like four running guys, two running guys who can shoot, the bugs that swoop in and pick you up, grenade throwers...just BHASLSDAJFRAFJK STOP SHOOTING ME. Fantastic but frustrating game. __________________

12-08-2007, 02:24 AM	#3
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	Well, I've only beaten that level on Easy (which is the last level on that mode), but just the fact that they had all of that, AND there are those little impossible to hit slugs that crawl on the wire to kill your character while all that other stuff is going on...one gets the feeling this game exists only to create frustration. And yet I keep playing. You know what part I hate (besides all those other parts). That part where you're climbing on the side of the rocket. For some reason the guy doesn't like to grab a hold of the right handles, and misses them sometimes. It's really epic when you jump up onto the rear and dodge the thruster fire and then crash down into the city on it, though. I especially like how all three thrusters look like they're going to light up and you're like "AW SHI-" and then they die out. I mean besides all those other awesome parts. __________________ The Valiant Review

12-08-2007, 02:27 AM	#4
Mirai Gen We are Geth. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 14,032	The trick for that boss is to recognize the fact that there's a verticle grapple-spot just above him. Slide down, empty a Machine 2/Spreadshot 2 into him, slide down, empty a few more, slide down, empty a few more, jump up and up-grapple, leap down to the right and grab the slide pole, repeat. But god yes this game is great but fuckin impossible. __________________

12-08-2007, 02:38 AM	#5
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	I actually didn't have much trouble with the bosses per se (I mean, except like the first time you meet them, of course), because unlike so much of the rest of the game they follow a very specific pattern (most of the time). Whereas the rest of the time bullets are flying at all kinds of different angles and crap, and the running and flying enemies are randomized, and all of that. Maybe that was why Shattered Soldier was easier, the game was 75% boss battles and the run and gun sections were about 90% pattern based as well, whereas with this thing it really throws stuff at you that you aren't prepared for and really can't prepare for (at least the first ten times). __________________ The Valiant Review

12-08-2007, 04:48 AM	#6
bananarama Old Gregg Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,189	Is there on-line co-op? If so, how is it?

12-08-2007, 04:50 AM	#7
Axl Cat Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: No Posts: 428	No online Co-Op. Just regular wireless whatnots. Helps a ton once you both get your act together. A TON. Also do Challenge Mode. By the time you finish that you'll be able to do Normal no sweat.

12-09-2007, 12:40 AM	#9
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	Yeah, what you said about the Challenges helping on Normal is very true, and playing on Hard and then going back to Normal always helps as well! Not that I've BEATEN Normal yet, but I'm doing better, anyway...freakin' game... A comment on the co-op, you also need two cartridges. I guess it was too big a game to go the Download Play route. Oh, and I found the emulations of both Contra and Super C to be spot-on. I would've like Contra III thrown in there but when they looked at the economy of space and the fact you can buy a version of Contra III for GBA they probably went, "Two NES games sounds pretty easy." Actually one of these days I'm looking for a Contra anniversary package. __________________ The Valiant Review

12-09-2007, 02:17 AM	#10
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	Seriously, u,u, d, d, l, r, l, r, B, A and you're sorted. Oh dear me, how do I still remember that are all these years.