DigitalBattle.com

We had early word that a Contra IV sequel was in the works, but no details about the title were really unveiled. Naturally you could expect some media outlet was sitting on the story waiting for their properly timed exclusive. In this case it just so happens to be 1UP. The three page write up is a great look back and look forward for the series. They are keen to point out that a true Contra sequel (ie. since Contra 3 came out) hasn’t happened for 15 years.

“All of this would be empty bravado if not for one important fact: Contra IV really does feel like its classic inspirations. It’s an interesting mix of elements, paying homage to the stages, music and events of the original trilogy without feeling like a copy-and-paste retread. For instance, the soundtrack features a number of tunes that begin with motifs lifted straight from the NES games but quickly segue into more driving, contemporary tunes.

Much more important, though, is the actual game play. The play control feels perfect — Lance and Bill (along with their optional counterparts Scorpion and Mad Dog) move as crisply as ever, spin-jumping from platform to platform, firing their weapons in eight directions. Flying pods drop emblems that grant power-ups; each player can hold two different weapons, swapping and dropping unwanted abilities with the press of a button. Level designs combine the heavy platforming of the original Contra with the sloped surfaces and enemy outposts of Super C and Contra III’s overhead-bars.”

So far things look positive for a true sequel to the series. You can take a look at the entire writeup here.