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Almost too hard to be fun.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 19, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Ok everyone knows how hard this game is. ITS HARD OK??? Besides that, the game design and graphics are amazing. I really wish they would make the new castlevania games in the same style.

For CONTRA fans - and the masochistc...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: December 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

If you entertain fond memories of a little Nintendo game called CONTRA, then CONTRA: SHATTERED SOLDIER is most certainly for you - provided you're either more than a little masochistic, or willing to use every cheat code at your disposal. This one is as about as difficult as they come - and I'll not lie to you, I cheated my way through, when it was all said and done. Even in doing so, SHATTERED SOLDIER was no breeze, despite its length, which is quite short (and one of the game's largest failings).

In the grand CONTRA tradition, one hit from an enemy or enemy fire will kill you deader than a doornail, and the default setting gives you a mere 3 lives and hundreds upon hundreds of enemies to dodge, duck, leap over, and ultimately kill. It's nightmarishly difficult, and the impatient and uninitiated will most likely HATE this game because of the sheer frustration it can cause. More tolerant gamers will find a lot to like, especially if they feel a certain sentimentality with the CONTRA series. This game goes back to the roots of the franchise, and throws in some flashbacks to older games in the series as an added delight (for example, you'll recognize a monstrous alien turtle that spews flies if you're at all familiar with SUPER CONTRA, and a jungle-bound fortress that spews fire from turrets as you struggle to put hot lead into its bulbous vulnerable spot). The action is non-stop, and will leave your palms sweaty and your heart racing. Add into the fray some well-designed and grotesque boss encounters that are truly surreal in nature, and you've got the ultimate side-scrolling action title for the Playstation 2. Of course, side-scrollers have seen better days on all platforms, and if you've never been a fan of the mechanic, SHATTERED SOLDIER isn't the game to convert you. Still, the graphics are superb and the scripted segments will make you feel like you're at the arcade, and if that's your cup of tea, then by all means drink up.

On the downside, SHATTERED SOLDIER is short. Add a pretty much non-existent story, a complete lack of vocals, and an unsatisfying ending (to put it mildly) to the mix, and you may want to wait until the price goes down a few rungs before you green light the latest CONTRA game. Still, if you loved the original and its Super Nintendo sequel, you can't afford to pass on this one - after all, it's the best CONTRA yet, and one heck of a kick in the pants if you dig the genre. Just be prepared for a difficulty that may force even the most hardcore gamer to dabble into the cheating arts.

Final Score: B

It's GOOOD

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

well it comes a long way from the original NES game but it also has lost some of its touch, because they made way to hard to play and the guns are good, but I like shoting down the Red Falcons better.

This title will end up in a dusty box after the brief fun.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 24, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I was really getting an itch to play this game after seeing it in a magazine article. Being a big fan of the old contra games, I tried to find it for rent before I made a purchase. Unfortunately, no place had it available so I bought it on Amazon.com for a modest price(less than most retail). It was fun, but and very chalenging. The graphics, sound, everything were good. The only thing that was missing was the need to play it again. I wish I would have rented this. After a week you will be sorry you didnt purchase something else that will stay in your playstation longer.

Could have been a lot better.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Basicaly, the game is way to short, & challenging. But after beating it wouldn't you think you would see an amazing ending? No. The even the ending was made in konami's studios in less than a half hour. Skip it unless you find it cheap.

Just couldn't get into it

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 07, 2008
Author: Amazon User

It has a co-op mode, but neither of us were that into it. We played it for a little while, but just gave up.

A worthy sequel

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 30, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Contra: Shattered Soldier is a 2D "run and gun" shooter for the Playstation 2 reminiscent of games like Rush 'n Attack, Elevator Action, Mega Man, etc. Compared to the better games of the Contra series, it holds its own. A unique twist that distinguishes this edition from its predecessors is the ability to switch between 3 different weapons on the fly instead of picking up power ups. There is also a special weapon that shoots in all directions that you can use by holding down circle, but it is not very effective. All in all, a fun game, and worthy of including in any list of Contra games worth owning.

Very Great

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: February 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I received this game today. It's very hard to stop to play. This game is much beyond what I expected. I had read many reviews. I understand why some think it is a bad game because it really doesn't stand the 3D-standard-gameplay of today. But for all old school gamers who liked the original BUY THIS GAME!

Laughable

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 10
Date: May 30, 2004
Author: Amazon User

As a previous reviewer said "GARBAGE" This game lacks everything but most of all originality. ZERO stars!

Shattered?

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 5
Date: December 06, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Contra Shattered Soldier features somewhat interesting graphics, the lighting and color is good, but character detail is just a tad watered down and tiny. Standard gun blasts and explosions round out the sound effects, the hard metal music isn't done too well (a more ambient or industrial rock track, or orchestral music would have been more well suited), easy controls, are a plus here, but just not the replay factor. With all that said, this is probably going to be one of the better 2D games you'll see on any of the current console platforms. But that is where this also falls short, 2D games are great, for retro collections, or even for original content, but in this case a Konami greatest hits would have been much more fun, with all the Contras, Castlevanias, etc. This game would have benefited from an upgrade to 3D, like Capcom's Maximo for PS2, or like Nintendo's Metroid Prime, for the GameCube. Contra collectors should pick this title up, but don't expect much. For casual gamers, who want a buttton hitting, shoot-em-up frenzy that's different, try GunGrave for the PS2.

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