"Shattered Solider" is a classic "Contra" game.
User Rating: 8.5 | Contra: Shattered Soldier PS2
"Contra: Shattered Solider" is in the tradition of the classic "Contra" asthetic. It's a third-person, side-scrolling shooter that can be ultra-tough. However, it's also an old-school game in which attack patterns must be learned in order to advance. Two players can team up to tackle the seven levels (two must be unlocked) the game has to offer. But like in "Contra: Hard Corp", the emphasis is on boss battles. There are several that require many "stages" to beat. What's great about "Solider" is how it never feels impossible to master. You'll die about a million times, but they never feel like "cheap" deaths. It's a trial-and-error process. After awhile, you'll be able to beat the stages without losing a life (or two).
The game is intense and great-looking. The graphics are sharp, colorful and detailed, while the framerate is near perfect. The musical soundtrack keeps the adrenaline pumping with techno music. Unfortunately, the cutscenes are quite archaic without voiceover work for the characters. You'll have to read the dialogue through the use of text. Another bummer is the save system, you can't save your progress until you beat the game. But overall, the game is a great "Contra" game. It's mainly fan service and was made by the original makers of the series. So if you're a fan of old school side-scrollers, than you'll probably have a good time with it. It's worth looking into.
