Contra: Operation Galuga Reviews
Contra Operation Galuga is a welcomed return to form for this classic franchise, but it is also a 101 scrolling shooter that takes very few risks. We sincerely hope to see Wayforward again at work with this brand and to see them unleash their talent without restraints.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Sticking to the past can sometimes be counterproductive, and the risk of inheriting its strengths and weaknesses is high.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Many pretenders and contenders have attempted to lay claim to Contra's run-and-gun throne over the years, with some glowingly successful and others failing abysmally, but Contra: Operation Galuga largely preserves its legacy with this faithful recreation of the much-loved 1980s classic. While Operation Galuga won't offer fans anything shocking or out of the ordinary, it's still a pleasing upgrade they'll be clamouring for. There's plenty in here to relish, and it's not bloated with new features and ideas that could otherwise jeopardize this renewed relic. Yes, more could've been done to reinvent the classic gameplay, but one shouldn't fix what isn't broken, and so Operation Galuga is a successful if formulaic return for one of gaming's most hardcore franchises.
In the end, Contra: Operation Galuga wasn't the triumphant return we were hoping for, but it's certainly the best game in the series in recent years. It's difficult and has several modes and characters that will make the game last for hours, and in doubles (or fours in arcade) it's still fantastic.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
It's a solid entry to the series, but it has its issues beyond its slow-paced story. There are some noticeable performance issues, especially as the screen fills up with more and more enemies and effects. Operation Galuga has a tremendous soundtrack comprised of original tracks that pay homage to the quintessential Contra songs of yesteryear, but there were multiple instances where I hit a glitch that left the background music muted. Operation Galuga is certainly Contra, but it can have its janky moments. Still, it's a welcome entry to the series and shows that the Contra series still packs a lot of firepower.
Contra: Operation Galuga stays true to its roots but makes changes to appeal to old and new players. The result is a good arcade experience that adapts to the player and appeals to nostalgia to convince classic game lovers. While it delivers on being fun and challenging, it fails in its presentation with soulless designs and a less-than-stellar technical side. It is ideal for fans of retro games but for action lovers there are better options to choose from.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Contra Operation Galuga is an interesting title especially for fans of the genre, admittedly not without flaws. It lacks on the frame-rate and the landscapes are a bit lacking in detail but overall thanks to the well-done boss battles, the wide range of enemies and the multiplayer/arcade if you feel like doing more than one game to turn off your brain it is a perfect game.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Contra: Operation Galuga is a hard game. It's a good reinterpretation of an eternal classic but it has severe errors in execution. It's possible to see a soul and heart in the development, but it's also obvious that some adjustments were necessary (I myself was stuck in a bug that put me off screen, quickly eliminating my lives).
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The moment-to-moment action is terrific, level designs and boss battles are mostly great, character and weapon diversity provide high replay value, and customization options allow for an adventure as dangerous or approachable as you like. With a more interesting story, a less tedious progression model, and nicer artistic assets, it would enter that next tier of greatness.
My gaming chum and I had a ton of fun with Contra: Operation Galuga and although it doesn't live up to classics such as the peak of run 'n' gun action, Hard Corps, there's certainly a lot to love here, especially with its varied assortment of playable characters. 💥
What it lacks in visual attractiveness, it does make up for with a solid run-and-gun experience that is comparable to the best Contra games of the past. The additional characters, four-player Arcade Mode, and tricky Challenge Mode extend the replay value, but some of the more fun, Easter egg-type perks that you can unlock require far too much grinding. While it may fall a bit short of being a sure-fire hit, Operation Galuga provides a fair amount of entertainment and some good ways of adjusting the difficulty of what has been a notoriously tough video game series.
It's great to see a dying franchise back on its feet, both with its beloved classic gameplay and new mechanics that feel fresh. One of the best games in the series.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
With its excellent level design, challenging gameplay, and twists on the classic formula, Contra: Operation Galuga offers a compelling reimagining of one of the most beloved arcade games ever made. However, despite its strengths, the game's short campaign length, limited amount of content and lack of online multiplayer may deter some players, especially considering its price. While the inclusion of extra characters and a Challenge Mode adds some variety, they fail to provide a good reason to continue playing the game after having gone through the eight stages multiple times.
A proper "reboot" of the series, with eight interesting levels, plenty of elements to unlock, nice gameplay and weak visuals.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Contra: Operation Galuga is a polished experience that gave me exactly what I want when playing a Contra game: cool weapons, cool bosses and loads of eye-candy action. With three modes (plus an unlockable Speedrun mode), nine playable characters and a bunch of great perks to unlock, this is a run-and-gun action game offering a sizable amount of content.
A successful re-imagining from Konami and a very enjoyable game. I hope for more releases of this prestigious series in the future.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
I'm so glad Konami are in the business of publishing good video games again. Entrusting the Contra franchise to WayForward for Operation Galuga was an incredibly smart decision, resulting in a thoroughly replayable and enriching return to the grandfather of the run-'n'-gun franchise. There is so much fun to be had learning levels, dying and grinding it out as you become familiar with level design patterns and weapon skills. Challenge levels are also fantastic gauntlets that'll make any seasoned Contra player sweat. Though the story is neither here nor there and the HUD driving it is a bit barebones, none of that gets in the way of the romping and stomping good time you'll have fighting for liberty and taking it to the alien threat once more. Contra is back.
Konami and WayForward bring us Contra: Operation Galuga, a new installment of the franchise that reimagines the original game from 1987, with situations that will remind us of the classic Contras and other novelties such as new weapons, the use of characters with different abilities, or advantages equippable which gives a new depth to the gameplay. The action is guaranteed, although at times it will be confusing due to excess effects and the artistic section is left to the player's taste, but it is undeniable that WayForward has found the perfect balance between accessible gameplay for new players and a challenge for veterans, and What is certain is that everyone will have fun equally.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Contra: Operation Galuga is not a long or groundbreaking title, but after the poor reception generated by its predecessor, a simple return to form for the franchise was the ideal way to go. It retains the gameplay loop, challenge and adrenaline from old school Contra, with a series of gameplay, accessibility, replayability, and quality of life improvements.
Contra: Operation Galuga is a return to form for the series, with the satisfying run ‘n gun action undoubtedly standing the test of time over the years (and complemented by some neat modern features this time around). I had a lot of fun playing through the Story Mode and seeing the re-imagined take on some classic levels from the original game, but the manic four-player action of Arcade Mode and the unique trials of the Challenge Mode probably stood out as a highlight for me. It’s more accessible than ever too, with the added features helping it make for an easier experience that newcomers to the series are sure to appreciate. It’s just a really, really fun game and one that shows there’s still plenty of life left in Contra. Here’s hoping Konami ensure the same amount of love and care is put into their other classic franchises in the future.