Contra: Shattered Soldier returns Contra to its 2D gameplay roots, except the visuals have been upgraded to the third dimension, resulting in an absolutely stunning piece of work. The first time you hop into the post-apocalyptic world of Contra: Shattered Soldier, it feels like old-school gaming has truly returned in a new form. The amount of action occurring on screen at once is enough to make even the most seasoned gamer gawk. At any given moment, missiles and bullets will be flying from every direction, barrel explosions turning the screen into a firestorm and enemies charging from the left and right and parachuting from the sky. Best of all, the game never dips below its rock solid 60 frames per second, no matter how intense.

Contra fans should be ecstatic over the gameplay of this new installment – for the most part. Konami decided to take a few liberties on the Contra formula that is sure to peeve some. Gone are the weapon power ups from previous Contra entries. Instead, players have three permanent weapons (rapid shot, flamethrower and grenade launcher), each with its own secondary function. What the heck happened to the spread shot, the de facto weapon of Contra?! An inexcusable absence, but for players who can accept the new style for what it is, the experience is not ruined - simply limited.

If you think because video games have become more mainstream Konami would make Contra: Shattered Soldier easier than the rest of the series, you’d be wrong. Contra: Shattered Soldier is an exercise in frustration that, fortunately, never stops being fun. The gameplay is more akin to a puzzler than a straightforward action game much of the time, as you attempt to find the right pattern to follow to avoid being raped by the bullets flying across the screen. As hard as it sometimes becomes, though, the gameplay is tight enough to keep you coming back for more.

Even though I do not expect an epic, sprawling ten hour adventure from a Contra game, Contra: Shattered Soldier certainly skimps out on value for the dollar. There are five stages available at the start, with another that opens itself up once the others are completed. Only six stages? Yeah, that isn’t much shorter than most others in the series – but it certainly feels like it. Contra: Shattered Soldier is a fantastic throwback to the days of old, but it’s certainly no Contra III: The Alien Wars, even if it does have 3D graphics. There are plenty of challenges and surprises to be found in each stage, however, which should keep players guessing.

There are bound to be Contra fans who love the fact that Contra is back, but just as many who aren’t overjoyed with the changes made to the gameplay. Most of us, though, should be able to look past the alterations and accept Contra: Shattered Soldier for what it is: a mind-bendingly tough game that you simply cannot put down.