Contra: Operation Galuga

Starting at €39.99Buy now

A new entry in the legendary Contra series is here! Contra: Operation Galuga is a thorough reimagining of the classic run-'n'-gun action game from the '80s, featuring modern graphics and sound, new stages, new enemies and bosses, new play mechanics, an updated weapons system, and explosive co-op combat for up to two players in Story Mode or four players in Arcade Mode! When the Red Falcon ter…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 258 reviews

story8 positive mentions

monetization3 negative mentions

Contra: Operation Galuga is a fantastic tribute to the original Contra games, capturing the nostalgic feel while introducing modern gameplay mechanics.
The game features a variety of characters with unique abilities, a perk system for customization, and multiple modes including Story, Arcade, and Challenge, enhancing replayability.
The graphics and sound design are impressive, with fast-paced action and responsive controls that make for an enjoyable gaming experience.

The game is relatively short, with some players completing it in under two hours, leading to concerns about its value at the full price.
There is no online multiplayer option, which disappoints many fans who expected this feature for a game designed for cooperative play.
Some players have reported issues with the game's difficulty spikes and chaotic visuals, making it hard to keep track of character actions during intense moments.

story
68 mentions
12 % positive mentions
84 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as fast-paced and engaging, with a mix of nostalgia and modern twists that align with the established *Contra* lore. However, many reviewers find the narrative to be clichéd and the overall length of the story mode—approximately 2 hours—too short for its price, leading to mixed feelings about its value. While the story mode serves as a fun introduction, players often prefer the arcade mode for its pure action, suggesting that the story elements can feel like a barrier to gameplay rather than an enhancement.
- “The story keeps close to Contra's established lore, but with some fresh twists that make it feel modern without losing the nostalgic charm.”
- “The game consists of three modes of play: story, arcade, and challenge.”
- “A full-fledged story mode with cutscenes, arcade mode which is just classic play until you run out of lives, and a challenge mode with tons of different challenges (speed runs and stuff).”
- “The story is dumb, characters are cliche, but the voice acting is pretty good!”
- “40 dollars is outrageous to charge for a story that you can complete in about 2 hours.”
- “The story mode is a total waste of resources; I'd rather have WayForward put all resources into the arcade mode.”
gameplay
58 mentions
33 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Contra: Operation Galuga" is praised for its fast-paced, dynamic action that retains the classic Contra feel while introducing modern mechanics such as character-specific abilities, a perk system, and adjustable difficulty modes. Players appreciate the responsive controls, varied gameplay options, and the ability to unlock new characters and perks, enhancing replayability. Overall, the game successfully blends nostalgia with fresh elements, making it a worthy addition to the series.
- “The dynamic camera angles and shifting terrain in some levels add depth and excitement, keeping the gameplay fresh while staying true to the series' roots.”
- “Operation Galuga, however, offers the option right out the gate to play with the health bar mechanic or switch to 1-hit mode like the good old classics, which is a great way to cater to both newcomers and veterans of the classic Contra games.”
- “Much like the original titles that defined the run-and-gun genre, it captivates with its fast-paced action and cooperative gameplay, making every session with friends not just a blast from the past but an exhilarating new adventure.”
- “Edit: good lord, they have unskippable story moments during the gameplay that are ridiculously long and kill the momentum of the game.”
- “But now you have life bars that you can even restore due to certain mechanics, which makes it really difficult to fail once you have done a playthrough.”
- “The 2.5D visuals used feel a little dated, but the Contra run-and-gun gameplay you know and love is there and that’s all that truly matters.”
music
49 mentions
29 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the nostalgic remixes and heavy metal influences, while others find the original soundtrack bland and forgettable compared to classic titles like Contra III. Many users enjoy the option to unlock music from previous Contra and Castlevania games, enhancing the overall experience, but there are consistent complaints about the orchestral remakes lacking the intensity and memorability of earlier soundtracks. Overall, while the sound design is solid, the music does not consistently meet the high expectations set by the franchise's legacy.
- “The gameplay is awesome, and the soundtracks you can use in arcade mode are amazing.”
- “Nostalgia hits hard, the music and gameplay are every bit as I remembered it from my childhood days.”
- “Great soundtrack and sound effects, and the controls are responsive.”
- “My only complaint with this game is that they went with a more orchestral remake of the original soundtracks, all of which are recognizable if you've got the ear for it.”
- “With all that being said, the game certainly fails in some aspects too, mainly the art style which can go from charming on certain levels to bland generic mobile tier on others, the music is also incredibly boring and forgettable.”
- “I think my biggest issue with this game is that it doesn't adhere to the old philosophy of Contra design (something cool or unexpected needs to happen every 3 screens), and the soundtrack being so forgettable.”
graphics
38 mentions
50 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the impressive 2D side-scrolling visuals that evoke nostalgia for the classic Contra titles, while others criticize inconsistencies in art style and some rough edges. Overall, players appreciate the modern enhancements and smooth performance, though some feel the graphics could be clearer and more polished, especially given the game's price point. Despite these critiques, the visuals are generally seen as a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its replayability and enjoyment.
- “Visually, the game is a feast for fans of the franchise, with impressive 2D side-scrolling graphics that incorporate just the right amount of 3D elements.”
- “Amazing game just like the classic NES days with amazing visuals and graphics!”
- “The graphics look cool, the gameplay is fun and dynamic, the music is awesome... if you liked the original Contra titles, this game won't disappoint.”
- “It has a few weaknesses and the art style is a bit inconsistent in quality, but a great, fun, replayable game nevertheless.”
- “With all that being said, the game certainly fails in some aspects too, mainly the art style which can go from charming on certain levels to bland generic mobile tier on others.”
- “The ugly: the graphics are straight up ass.”
replayability
14 mentions
57 % positive mentions
21 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, featuring various modes such as arcade and challenge options that encourage players to improve their skills and unlock rewards. While some reviewers noted minor weaknesses in art style and gameplay differences between modes, the overall consensus is that the game offers a fun and engaging experience that is worth revisiting, especially for fans of classic titles like Contra.
- “With comfortable play control and fantastic replay value.”
- “Just beat the game, but tons of replay value (like any Contra title) and more options, difficulties, and achievements remaining.”
- “Highly replayable, and just all around awesome.”
- “Unlockables, arcade/challenge modes, etc. give some replayability, and the story hints at piles of DLC on the way - of course, I guess we'll see about that.”
- “There are some nice options, but the only real differences between arcade and story modes are dialogue/cutscenes in the latter, and arcade has 2 more playable characters (maybe 3 based on the demo, but that 3rd character is not available here at first).”
- “Gave it about 30 minutes of gameplay, and I must say so far, I'm thoroughly impressed. Great graphics, awesome weapon selection, I do love the perks in-game, and I find that it's definitely going to have replay value for sure.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users noting signs of laziness in its execution and expressing concerns about deceptive advertising practices.
- “There are clear signs that this was a lazy cash grab too.”
- “Is this a cheap cash grab?”
- “Scam advertisement.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is inconsistent; while there are a few amusing moments, many players feel it often takes itself too seriously, detracting from the overall comedic experience.
- “What's funny is that this game is basically just a series of hilarious situations that keep you laughing.”
- “There are a few funny bits that really stand out, adding a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.”
stability
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game has significant bugs affecting stability, although it runs smoothly on specific hardware like the Steam Deck.
- “Runs great on Gabe Gear (Steam Deck).”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
- “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which makes for a stable gameplay experience.”
- “The game is buggy.”
- “I encountered numerous crashes while playing.”
- “The frequent glitches make it hard to enjoy the experience.”
grinding
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be enjoyable, as it allows for the unlocking of content after a few arcade runs. The inclusion of optional power-ups and bonus credits from the demo or other games adds incentive to engage in grinding for credits.
- “Unlocking stuff feels a bit grindy, but it's fun. After 3-4 arcade runs on any difficulty, you can unlock almost all of the content.”
- “There are optional power-ups and more to justify constant grinding to earn credits. If you play through the free demo first, you can get bonus credits for a head start.”
optimization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for frequent stuttering and lagging, indicating performance issues that detract from the overall experience.
- “Frequent stuttering and lagging.”
- “The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “Optimization issues lead to long loading times and frequent crashes.”