Contra: Rogue Corps

Playstation LifestyleLucas White

8/10

I, like many others, watched with befuddlement as a brand new Contra was revealed during a Nintendo Direct. Sure, Konami has been back on the radar with games like Super Bomberman R and its line of Anniversary Collection sets, but it’s still weird to see Contra of all things popping back up. With nearly a decade passing since the last game in the series, a lot has happened in gaming. So what does it mean to release a new Contra in 2019? The answer this time appears to be loot, multiplayer, and a healthy dose of post-ironic, crass humor. This is Contra: Rogue Corps, and I’m totally here for it.

Video ChumsA.J. Maciejewski

7.3/10

It's been over 8 years since Hard Corps: Uprising released but Contra is back and crazier than ever. Is that necessarily a good thing?

WCCFtechKai Tatsumoto

7/10

Run and gun: a word whose etymology clearly begins with the Contra lineage some three decades ago. One-hit kills, twirling somersaulting jumps, and the all-powerful Spread Gun have remained constant throughout the Contra series even as the formula changes from 2D to 3D and back again. Players have had to wait for nearly a decade since the last Hard Corps title was developed by Arc System Works and even longer for titles actually developed by Konami proper. Having to go on for two console generations without a real Contra has been maddening, but Konami has answered the player’s damning cries wi...

ShackNewsBrittany Vincent

6/10

Contra: Rogue Corps may not get high marks for reinvigorating the Contra series, nor does it innovate or do anything exceptionally well. But a game that you enjoy playing doesn't have to, and I found myself enjoying this raucous shooter more than I thought I would. It may have its own fair share of problems, but its low price and low barrier entry make it a serviceable and potentially hilarious time to be had solo or with your friends. Just drop the Contra from the title if it bothers you so much and give it a try.

Gamer EscapeJosh McGrath

6/10

If you’re looking for something to play with friends and kill some time, Contra: Rogue Corps may be worth a look once it goes on sale. For such a beloved franchise, though, this really isn’t the best way to reintroduce Contra after a near-decade hiatus.

DestructoidChris Carter

5.5/10

It’s a shame because sometimes, even when I’m fighting the game, I’m enjoying myself. Contra: Rogue Corps needed more time in the oven, and I’m not sure the whole “segmented ways to play” concept is going to go over well with everyone. But when it’s firing on all cylinders, there’s some silly shoot ’em up fun going on.

Nintendo World ReportNeal Ronaghan

5/10

I’m enjoying my time with Contra: Rogue Corps far more than I expected when the game was announced at E3 and revealed to be as un-Contra-like as possible. It’s rough around the edges, specifically in the ridiculous faux-bad-ass story and presentation coupled with the restrictions on local multiplayer. The actual shooting has enough there that could make it a fun multiplayer game, but with so much of it hinging on the online play, I can’t draw a total conclusion. I hope the weapon customization and upgrading can gel well with online multiplayer so that way Rogue Corps can transcend its is…

GamingBoltPramath

5/10

For a Contra fan, this game is the antithesis of what Contra is supposed to be. Playing Rogue Corps, I at last understood what Metal Gear fans must have felt when they played Metal Gear Survive last year.

Game SkinnyJonathan Moore

5/10

Contra Rogue Corps is a mess of a game, and while that doesn't mean there aren't fun bits, you have to really dig to find them.

Worth PlayingCody Medellin

4/10

Contra: Rogue Corps is a twin stick, third-person action game drawing upon its roots in fast and focused combat.

DualShockersTomas Franzese

2.5/10

As die-hard Contra fans have probably already picked up or sworn off Contra: Rogue Corps, the only people I could see this game being good for now are die-hard groups of twin-stick shooter fans who want to play online and aren't playing on Nintendo Switch. That's quite niche to say the least. Contra: Rogue Corps puts the whole series in a position as weird as its own concept and execution, and I'm afraid that this will kill Contra off for good so we'll never see that 2D revival. Oh well, there's always Blazing Chrome.

Metro GameCentralGameCentral

2/10

The worst Contra game ever made and an object lesson in how not to revive a classic franchise, especially as there are multiple unofficial homages that are far superior.