Operation Hardcore

About

Operation Hardcore is a single player and multiplayer arcade shooter game with comedy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Cosmocat and was released on December 28, 2016. It received positive reviews from players.

Operation Hardcore is an action-packed 2D side-scrolling shooter inspired by classic twitchy action games of yesteryear, but with modern touches and conveniences.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+11

Skip User Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews

graphics3 positive mentions

grinding1 negative mentions

Solid and well-balanced side-scrolling shooter experience inspired by classics like Contra and Metal Slug.
Attractive retro pixel-art graphics combined with modern effects and shaders.
Varied gameplay modes including single player, local co-op, challenges, and scalable difficulty levels offering good tactical depth.

Relatively short game length, with the main campaign taking just a few hours to complete and limited additional content.
Frustrating mechanics such as recoil on shooting and loss of weapon upgrade progress after death negatively impact gameplay flow.
Control issues particularly on keyboard, with gamepad highly recommended; some buggy respawn points cause unavoidable deaths.

gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The gameplay remains true to classic side-scrolling shooters, enhanced with modern features like an in-level shop and a shield mechanic that add depth without making it overly casual. These additions provide a balanced blend of old-school challenge and accessibility, though the overall experience is relatively short, lasting under four hours. Joystick controls are well-implemented, contributing to smooth gameplay.
- “As mentioned before, there are some new modern gameplay additions to the classic formula: there is a shop, accessible at the beginning of each level, where the player can spend money collected from enemies to buy different weapons, upgrades, consumable items, and even extra lives.”
- “The second addition is the shield mechanic: by pressing a button on your controller or keyboard, your character is surrounded by a shield of energy, rendering them invincible as long as it lasts.”
- “Modern mechanics are well implemented; they do not make the experience too casualized but add some depth and width to the existing gameplay formula.”
- “There are some new modern gameplay additions to the classic formula: there is a shop, accessible at the beginning of each level, where the player can spend money collected from enemies to buy weapons, upgrades, consumable items, and extra lives.”
- “The second addition is the shield mechanic: by pressing a button, your character is surrounded by an energy shield that renders them invincible while active.”
- “This title does not differ much from classic side-scrolling shooters: levels progress left to right, filled with enemies, collectible upgrades, and secret areas.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The graphics are praised for their beautiful pixel-art style that effectively blends retro aesthetics with modern shaders and effects, resulting in a visually appealing update that honors the classic look while enhancing it for contemporary audiences.
- “Very good art style and effects, retro enough but also with modern shaders and styles.”
- “So glad someone thought about remaking an updated graphics version for the modern age.”
- “The visuals are a beautiful pixel-art style.”
- “Graphics that completely embrace the retro game style.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is quirky and offbeat, with funny cutscenes that add charm to the story. While it has some wild and ridiculous elements, it generally delivers a playful and enjoyable comedic experience.
- “Challenger, juicy and funny”
- “The story works and the cutscenes are funny”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story is simple and straightforward, focusing on a group of four tough characters defending Earth from an alien invasion. It is effective and enhanced by humorous cutscenes.
- “The story is pretty simple and straightforward: an alien army attacked Earth, so one (or more) of four really hardcore guys has to save it.”
- “The story works and the cutscenes are funny”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users appreciate the music, finding it enjoyable and well-matched with the game's overall aesthetic.
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding is primarily limited to earning achievements outside of the main campaign and challenges, offering little additional content beyond repetitive tasks for completion-focused players.