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Contra + BlazBlue = Hard Corps for PSN/XBLA : Out for everything! It's payback time.

cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
edited April 2011 in Games and Technology
Seriously. Arc System Works is behind this.
Contra: Hard Corps on the SEGA Genesis is one of my favorite Contra games. The enormous bosses, branching paths, and epic action sequences made for one of the most thrilling 16-bit experiences back in the day. So imagine my delight when Konami told me it is bringing the spiritual sequel to Contra: Hard Corps to Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network this year. Picture a more anime-styled Contra game with the word "Contra" removed from the title, and you're starting to get a good idea of what Hard Corps: Uprising is. Konami describes it as "homage to legacy Konami run-and-gun platformers," of which Contra is the most famous (although there is also Rush 'N Attack, which is getting a facelift this year, as well). I got to play a bit of Hard Corpse recently and came away excited.

Hard Corps: Uprising stars Colonel Bahamut, who, interestingly enough, was a bad guy in Contra: Hard Corps. For some reason or another he seems to have had a change of heart and is now battling against the aliens he was previously working with. He can be joined by a pal so that players can play cooperatively, both online and off. Unlike the Genesis Hard Corps, where we had four characters to choose from, here we just have two -- although Konami is looking into making additional downloadable characters available.

Gameplay is straight up what you would expect from Contra. You'll be running left to right through eight alien-infested stages blasting everything in your way, collecting familiar power-ups, and riding vehicles. One sequence I saw had Bahamut riding a motorbike while a flying saucer with legs chased after him. The boss of level one is, appropriately, a giant wall much like in the original Contra.

Spoilered for huge:
hardcorps_1275595666.jpg

So yeah, there's every indication that this is a reenvisioning of the hardest Contra game ever:

ojrRz.jpg

Should be awesome.


Kind of disappointed WayForward isn't behind this, because I consider Contra 4 the best, but ah well, ASW is a close second.

z48g7weaopj2.png
cj iwakura on
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Posts

  • Page-Page- Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Screenshot doesn't impress, but Hard Corps was a great Contra game and one of the few Genesis games I ever really enjoyed. Hope it turns out well.

    Page- on
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  • DarmakDarmak RAGE vympyvvhyc vyctyvyRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    The screenshot looks good, if a bit much on the whole anime thing. If the gameplay is classic Contra, though, then count me in.

    Darmak on
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  • SollahSollah Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Little disappointed by the screenshot and lack of coo' characters, but I'm still looking forward to it. Hopefully there will be a gameplay video of it soon.

    Sollah on
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  • ZombiemamboZombiemambo Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Hard Corps was a fucking hard ass game.

    Zombiemambo on
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  • BahamutZEROBahamutZERO Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    what about this is like blazblue?

    BahamutZERO on
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  • mere_immortalmere_immortal So tasty!Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    I'm guessing the illustrated charatcers and animays.

    mere_immortal on
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  • AntihippyAntihippy Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    It's made by ASW I guess?

    Antihippy on
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  • ZxerolZxerol for the smaller pieces, my shovel wouldn't do so i took off my boot and used my shoeRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Maybe they'll take away the health bar for the NA release. Wouldn't that be a laugh riot.

    Zxerol on
  • blaze_zeroblaze_zero Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Oh god, please don't take away the 3-hit system again.

    Hard Corps was so cruel.

    I will easily buy this though. ASW always gets my money.

    blaze_zero on
  • SollahSollah Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Wait, that's a health bar? I thought they were empty slots for different weapon types, like the original game.

    Sollah on
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  • UnbreakableVowUnbreakableVow Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    The anime influence sucks

    But if this is awesome Contra action, sign me the hell up

    Shattered Soldier was so good

    UnbreakableVow on
  • ZxerolZxerol for the smaller pieces, my shovel wouldn't do so i took off my boot and used my shoeRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Sollah wrote: »
    Wait, that's a health bar? I thought they were empty slots for different weapon types, like the original game.

    The weapons looks like the two-slot system used in Contra 3/4/Rebirth (the capsules with the wing iconography left of the green bars -- pretty unmistakable). I think the game is a homage of the Contra series in general, not just Hard Corps.

    Why they don't just make it "Contra [something]" in the first place, I dunno. Whatev.

    Zxerol on
  • GrimthwackerGrimthwacker Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Never played Hard Corps, but yes. Hell yes. More Contra style goodness is always welcome. I really need to get back to Contra 4 some time. And about the 3-hit mechanic, there's apparently the option to toggle it on (in "Rising Mode") or off.

    And am I supposed to be surprised that the blonde chick (I'd assume) on the left looks just like Noel Vermillion with the Fenrir Distortion Drive?

    Grimthwacker on
  • SteevSteev What can I do for you? Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Hard Corps was so awesome. Branching paths and all that. I only ever got the easier endings. It was the first Contra game where I didn't feel like I had truly beaten it.

    Steev on
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  • MrVyngaardMrVyngaard Live From New Etoile Straight Outta SosariaRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Hard Corps was a good game. Too bad it's being apparently "remade" with this new anime look, tastes of the younger generation and all.

    Feh. Well, hopefully the action at least is good.

    MrVyngaard on
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  • LaPuzzaLaPuzza Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    I only approve if it retains the Super Secret King of the Monkeys ending.

    LaPuzza on
  • DanHibikiDanHibiki Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    MrVyngaard wrote: »
    Hard Corps was a good game. Too bad it's being apparently "remade" with this new anime look, tastes of the younger generation and all.

    Feh. Well, hopefully the action at least is good.

    Yeah, I would definitely prefer a Masamune Shirow influenced style. This is too clean and cheap looking.

    I bet they're going to get rid of the original music style too and do some stupid J-pop crap.

    NEW THING SUCK!

    DanHibiki on
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Actually, I bet it'll be metal. The BB/GG guy will probably compose it.

    cj iwakura on
    z48g7weaopj2.png
  • vagrant_windsvagrant_winds Overworked Mysterious Eldritch Horror Hunter XX Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    This is like a combination of sex and cake.

    vagrant_winds on
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  • AntihippyAntihippy Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Incredibly messy and awkward?

    Antihippy on
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  • chamberlainchamberlain Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Antihippy wrote: »
    Incredibly messy and awkward?

    Fun for a while but then you need to wash it all off to avoid a yeast infection?

    chamberlain on
  • nstfnstf __BANNED USERS regular
    edited June 2010
    Will buy, <3 contra.

    nstf on
  • cloudeaglecloudeagle Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    I dunno, I'm still a little too burned by the new Sparkster being mediocre to get excited about another Konami semi-remake just yet.

    cloudeagle on
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  • AntihippyAntihippy Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    It's made by arc system works though, who are pretty much kings of sprite making at the moment alongside with SNK, though there isn't much competition for the position. :lol:

    They also make really good fighting games too.

    Their side scrollers were kinda shit though. To be fair, they've only ever really made one, and that's more of a side thing.

    Antihippy on
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  • Brainiac 8Brainiac 8 Don't call me Shirley... Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    God, this game is going to be brutal. D:

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  • acidlacedpenguinacidlacedpenguin Institutionalized Safe in jail.Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    fucking when and how much and my money will block out the sky.

    acidlacedpenguin on
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  • El FantasticoEl Fantastico Toronto, ONRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Day 1 purchase for me. I miss my copy of Contra 3 (Super Contra) for the SNES. I just about had the game down to an artform on Hard when I lost the cart in a move.

    El Fantastico on
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  • LBD_NytetraynLBD_Nytetrayn TorontoRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    cj iwakura wrote: »
    So yeah, there's every indication that this is a reenvisioning of the hardest Contra game ever:

    Prequel, to be precise.
    Zxerol wrote: »
    Maybe they'll take away the health bar for the NA release. Wouldn't that be a laugh riot.

    Not exactly; there are two modes, one with the lifebar, one without.

    From IGN:
    Contra games are typically brutally difficult affairs where one bullet puts you in the grave. Hard Corps sticks to this tradition with its Arcade Mode, but also introduces a new Rising Mode. Rising lets you take three hits before losing a life, making for a considerably more forgiving game.
    MrVyngaard wrote: »
    Hard Corps was a good game. Too bad it's being apparently "remade" with this new anime look, tastes of the younger generation and all.

    Feh. Well, hopefully the action at least is good.

    Actually...
    contra_the_hard_corps_box_jp.jpg

    ...the Japanese version of the original had the same anime thing going on.
    acidlacedpenguin wrote: »
    fucking when and how much and my money will block out the sky.

    Just "Winter 2010" right now, no price.

    LBD_Nytetrayn on
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  • El FantasticoEl Fantastico Toronto, ONRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Too damn long. Should be Summer 2010 :(

    El Fantastico on
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  • JarsJars Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    hard corps sound track was pretty metal heavy(and totally awesome)

    here was the final boss music
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6qoSBs-F5U

    Jars on
  • DarmakDarmak RAGE vympyvvhyc vyctyvyRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    I never made it far enough in that game to ever hear that music. Pretty awesome. :D

    Darmak on
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  • AntihippyAntihippy Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Regarding the soundtrack. At 6 min of this QA session.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cq1BQN5Fdo

    Q:"I was wondering if you make any music music outside of the blazblue and guilty gear universe?"

    A: "I actually can't say anything right now, but you might find some good news at E3."

    So, daisuke ishiwatari might be the composer for this game.

    If you don't know who daisuke is, he's the maker of some of the best metal to ever grace games, or just really good metal in general.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyjhTcmbh3Q

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_S43AP1tgc

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li_1QCgTDvs

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fZOoeHFG6s

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZmwRmVSS6c

    Antihippy on
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  • CantidoCantido Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    I desperately want Daisuke and Tim Schafer to meet. GG2 and BL are quite similar.

    Cantido on
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  • SokpuppetSokpuppet You only yoyo once Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    No Brownie = NO BUY

    Contra__Hard_Corps___Browny_by_Jombo_Sized.png

    Sokpuppet on
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    New trailer, and... uh, screen:

    http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/29819

    I like what I see there.
    584.jpg


    Ha, familiar boss at the end of the video. Contra fan service.

    cj iwakura on
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  • AntihippyAntihippy Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    You know, it's probably because I play ALOT more metal slug than contra.

    But that gives me a really huge metal slug vibe.

    Antihippy on
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  • -SPI--SPI- Osaka, JapanRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Except Metal Slug isn't as ugly.

    -SPI- on
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    I love Contra, but I've never gotten into Metal Slug.

    cj iwakura on
    z48g7weaopj2.png
  • AntihippyAntihippy Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    -SPI- wrote: »
    Except Metal Slug isn't as ugly.

    Yeah, the 3D stuff looks... eh.
    I love Contra, but I've never gotten into Metal Slug.

    Try to play metal slug 3 if you can.

    It's pretty much the best 2D sidescroller EVER.

    Antihippy on
    10454_nujabes2.pngPSN: Antiwhippy
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Antihippy wrote: »
    -SPI- wrote: »
    Except Metal Slug isn't as ugly.

    Yeah, the 3D stuff looks... eh.
    I love Contra, but I've never gotten into Metal Slug.

    Try to play metal slug 3 if you can.

    It's pretty much the best 2D sidescroller EVER.

    I've played all of them. It's just not for me.

    cj iwakura on
    z48g7weaopj2.png
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