Contra: Operation Galuga

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Contra: Operation Galuga is a single player and multiplayer action game. It was developed by WayForward and was released on March 12, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

Contra: Operation Galuga reinvents the classic run-'n'-gun action with modern graphics, new stages, enemies, and bosses. Players fight the Red Falcon terrorist group on Galuga Islands using an upgraded weapons system and Overload abilities. It supports explosive co-op combat for up to four players with customizable difficulty and challenge options.

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 516 reviews

story16 positive mentions

monetization6 negative mentions

Operation Galuga is a fantastic tribute to the original Contra, capturing the nostalgic feel while adding modern gameplay elements.
The game features impressive graphics, fast-paced action, and a variety of characters and modes, making it enjoyable for both new players and long-time fans.
The perk system and multiple difficulty levels enhance replayability, allowing players to customize their experience and tackle challenges in different ways.

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 to play cooperatively with friends remotely.
Some players have reported bugs and issues with gameplay mechanics, such as glitches during boss fights and problems with weapon pickups.

story
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
85%
3%
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 players find the narrative to be clichéd and the cutscenes overly long, detracting from the gameplay experience. While the story mode offers some fun and unlockable content, its brevity—typically completed in under two hours—leaves some players feeling that it doesn't justify the game's price.
- “The story keeps close to Contra's established lore, but with some fresh twists that make it feel modern without losing the nostalgic charm.”
- “Expect 90 to 120 minutes for a story playthrough, making this approachable as a have-a-friend-over sort of afternoon.”
- “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).”
- “40 dollars is outrageous to charge for a story that you can complete in about 2 hours.”
- “The original had no story and that was better than what they came up with here, Contra Gene... really???”
- “The story mode is a total waste of resources; I'd rather have WayForward put all resources into the arcade mode.”
gameplay
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
64%
3%
The gameplay of "Contra: Operation Galuga" is praised for its fast-paced, responsive controls and a blend of classic mechanics with modern enhancements, such as dynamic camera angles, character-specific abilities, and a perk system that increases replayability. Players appreciate the option to choose between traditional one-hit death modes or a health bar mechanic, catering to both newcomers and veterans. Overall, the game successfully retains the essence of the original series while introducing new features that keep the experience fresh and engaging.
- “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.”
- “Contra: Operation Galuga features the classic Contra gameplay but with enough polish and modernization to make it worthy of the series.”
- “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
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
65%
6%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it bland and forgettable compared to the iconic soundtracks of previous Contra titles. While some appreciate the orchestral remixes and the option to unlock tracks from other Konami games, others feel that the new compositions fail to capture the intensity and nostalgia of the originals. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a weak point, detracting from an otherwise enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “The gameplay is awesome, and the soundtracks you can use in arcade mode are amazing.”
- “Nostalgia hits hard, the music, the gameplay is 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
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
46%
4%
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 touch and improved quality, 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 highlight, contributing to a fun and engaging gameplay experience.
- “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.”
- “The graphics are stunning.”
- “Amazing game just like the classic NES days with amazing visuals and graphics!”
- “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 awful.”
replayability
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
32%
11%
The game is praised for its high replayability, with various modes such as arcade and challenge offering players opportunities to improve their skills and unlock rewards. While some aspects, like art style, may be inconsistent, the overall experience is engaging and encourages multiple playthroughs, especially for fans of classic titles like Contra. Players appreciate the comfortable controls and the potential for future DLC, which may further enhance replay value.
- “Just beat the game, but tons of replay value (like any Contra title) and more options/difficulties and achievements remaining.”
- “Also, the replayability is there with arcade and challenge mode and you can work towards getting in-game points to unlock in-game rewards.”
- “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).”
- “Can vary depending on skill, but worth the money for replayability.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users highlighting signs of laziness in its execution and labeling it as a scam.
- “There are clear signs that this was a lazy cash grab too.”
- “Is this a cheap cash grab?”
- “Scam advertisement.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is inconsistent, with some users noting a few amusing moments, but overall, it tends to take itself too seriously, which detracts from its comedic potential.
- “What's funny is that this game is basically just a series of hilarious moments that keep you entertained.”
- “There are a few funny bits that really stand out, adding a nice touch of humor to the overall experience.”
- “The humor in this game shines through in unexpected ways, making for some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The game has been reported to be buggy, which affects its overall stability. However, it runs smoothly on Steam Deck, indicating that performance may vary depending on the platform.
- “Runs great on Gabe Gear (Steam Deck).”
- “Runs great on Gabe Gear (Steam Deck).”
- “The game is buggy.”
- “The game is buggy.”
- “The game is buggy.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be enjoyable, as it allows for the unlocking of content after just a few arcade runs. The inclusion of optional power-ups and bonus credits from the demo or other games adds to the incentive for grinding, making it feel rewarding rather than tedious.
- “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 items.”
- “There are optional power-ups and more to justify constant grinding to earn credits. If you play through the free demo first (and/or if you have the Contra, Castlevania, and/or arcade classics compilations also available on Steam), you can get either bonus credits for a head start (for the demo) or alternate soundtracks (for the other games).”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, with users consistently reporting frequent stuttering and lagging during gameplay.
- “Frequent stuttering and lagging.”
- “Frequent stuttering and lagging.”