"Contra Force", released in 1992 for the NES, is a rather interesting project, which, by the way, has nothing to do with the famous "Contra" series, although it has this word in the title. All my life I thought it was an offshoot of the acclaimed game. It turned out not to be. However, this does not make the project worse. A great interesting game.
One of the key features of "Contra Force" is the ability to choose one of four characters, each with their own unique abilities and weapons. The player can control characters such as Burns, Smith, Iron and Beans, which adds variety to the game and forces you to adjust tactics depending on the chosen fighter. This makes the gameplay more intense than in the same classic "Contra", where the characters had identical skills.
The variety of the arsenal deserves special mention. In addition to the standard machine gun, each hero has unique abilities, such as rocket launchers or explosives, which allows you to diversify combat situations. Choosing the right character for certain levels and using his skills tactically become an important part of the strategy in the game.
What is pleasantly surprising is the mechanics of changing characters in real time. The player can switch between fighters at any time, which adds dynamics to the game and allows you to adapt to different game situations. But for obvious reasons, it does not add to the realism of the situation. But these are small things. In difficult battles, such "replacements" can be especially useful when one character takes damage or it becomes necessary to use another weapon.
The graphics of "Contra Force" look surprisingly good for 1992. The locations are carefully designed, and the characters and enemies themselves are animated at a high level for that time.
The gameplay feels dynamic and intense, although it does not differ in speed. Especially when it comes to jumping. I don't know if I've ever just played the buggy version or if it was intended that way, but at the moment of the jump, the game often just turned into a "slow-motion" adventure when everything around slowed down. It takes some getting used to, especially for those who are used to sharper and faster controls in games.
In addition, although there is a lot of action in the game, sometimes it may seem that the levels are somewhat delayed. At the same time, complex and diverse locations with a lot of obstacles and enemies make you feel like a real mercenary soldier on a dangerous mission.
Despite these minor flaws, "Contra Force" remains in the memory of an exciting game that introduced a fresh look and new mechanics. It successfully combines elements of classic action with tactical features, offering players a variety of gameplay and new challenges.
8 out of 10.
