Contra Returns (Mandarin: 魂斗罗：归来 Húndǒulúo: Gūilái in China; Garena 魂斗羅：歸來 Hun2-Tou3-Lo2: Kui1-Lai2 in Taiwan) is an originally free-to-play mobile game developed by TiMi Studios and Konami. It was originally released on June 6, 2017 in China and later in Taiwan in 2018. An English version was released on September 20, 2018 in Southeast Asian countries. A Beta version was released worldwide (North America, Latin America and Europe) on July 27, 2021.
Overview[]
- Remember the secret code: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A to get extra lives? After a 30-year hiatus, the Contra you know and love is back! Developed by famous Japanese game company Konami and world-leading game developer TiMi, Contra Returns aims to bring the classic Contra experience to mobile platforms.
- In Contra Returns, players can enjoy the classic side-scrolling gameplay, two-person teams, alien bosses, and signature settings and soundtrack from the original series! All with updated HD resolution, 3D character models, and vivid acoustic and visual effects to deliver a sensory experience like no other! Get your fighting spirit all fired up with innovative content: real-time PvP battles, unique heroes, companions, and team mode! Legendary heroes Bill and Lance are making a comeback, so let's kick some alien butt and save the world!
– Description from the official Contra Returns website
Plot[]
After the fall of the Commonwealth (2625-2626), Claudius, a former senator who was involved in criminal activities, confronted the government of the Federation and decided to revive the Empire. In order to do so, he created a private military company which later became to be known as the Red Falcon Army.
In 2638, an unidentified cosmic object approached the Earth and caused the appearance of several "dark areas" (copies of real places). Meanwhile, Bill Rizer and Edge Han discovered the revived Red Falcon on the Galuga Archipelago. They also came across a laboratory that had been overrun by zombies. These beings were actually revealed to be the remnants of failed experiments performed by the head scientist, Doctor Geo Mandrake, in his many attempts to "revive" (clone) his dead daughter, Lucia.
A long war soon took place, marked by the beginning of the coup d'état of 2639. It was during this time that the Triumvirate entered the stage. The zombies successfully settled the "dark areas" and declared war on humanity, with the heroes having to fight against the Red Falcon, aliens, zombies and the former commander at the same time.
Gameplay[]
Contra Returns is different from previous Contra installments in many aspects. There are role-playing elements, new levels, heroes, weapon sets, vehicles, and even new gameplay mechanics. The game is constantly updated and new features are added frequently. Characters are highly customizable, both aesthetically and gameplay-wise, by making use of a variety of gear and upgrades which can be acquired as the player progresses through the game. The gear itself can be upgraded as well in this same manner.
The game brings together characters, concepts and events from the entire Contra franchise –including those from different time periods, as well as alternate universes– and also introduces new characters and concepts (including a few guest characters from different franchises, such as action films and comics), blending them all together in a unique storyline. Certain characters which only played a supporting role in the original timeline, now have been given a more prominent role and some can be playable as well. All characters have been given an aesthetic overhaul, with most having different and more powerful variants of themselves.
Most stages in the game are based on levels from earlier Contra games. For example, stages 1-4 are based on the Jungle stage of the original Contra, and stages 1-5 and 1-6 are based on the Waterfall stage, and so on.
Key features[]
Besides the classic side-scrolling, platform action of the classic games, Contra Returns adds many new game modes to make use of the system's online capabilities, such as multiple PvP modes (like real-time ranked 3v3) where players can compete for loot to improve weapons and armor.
- Characters possess life bars (that is, they don't get killed in a single hit like in most previous games).
- Characters can equip weapons and armor upgrades.
- There are two weapon slots, three slots for a Super weapon, and two active hero's abilities.
- Players can shore up on both premium currency and in-game gold to acquire gear of higher rarities for better firepower and survivability.
- Gear can be enhanced with loot (such as EXP tickets). In addition, players can gather upgrade materials in order to evolve it.
- One-Life Mode: A challenging mode that is a throwback to the classic titles, where the player character is defeated in a single hit.
- The Partner System allows players to summon "Pets" to aid them during missions.
Characters[]
Bill Rizer is the only available character at the beginning of the game, but many more are unlocked as the game progresses. Playable characters are categorized into four classes based on their abilities: Class B, Class A, Class S and Class SS.
New playable characters were also added to the roster in the following months of the game's release, up to a total of 72, each with their own unique abilities along with several outfits for change. These include:
Other characters[]
- Claudius Germanicus
- Colonel Bahamut
- Colonel Bloodaxe
- Doctor Geo Mandrake
- Deadeye Joe
- Melinda
- Noiman Cascade
- Operator Tina
- Triumvirate
Development[]
Contra: Return was developed by Tencent and Konami, and originally released as a free-to-play game for smartphones on June 6, 2017 exclusively in China. At the time of the Chinese release, it was nominated for "Best Sound Design in a Casual/Social Game" and "Best Music in a Casual/Social Game" at the 16th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards. Following its success, versions were released in Taiwan and Southeast Asia in 2018.
A worldwide version (North America, Latin America and Europe) retitled Contra Returns, developed by Konami in collaboration with TiMi Studios (a subsidiary of Tencent) was announced for pre-registration on July 2021, with a public Beta version to be released on July 27, 2021 for iOS and Android devices.
Music[]
The score that comprises the soundtrack of Contra Returns is almost entirely comprised of rearranged tracks from previous Contra titles, such as:
- Triumphant Return - zone/mission clear. Almost all games in the Contra series play this fanfare after completing a stage.
From Contra:
- Battle in the Dense Forest
- Labyrinth Fortress
- Waterfall of Bloodshed
- Fortress in the Ice
- Fortress in the Fire
- Horrible Heartbeat
- Start Demo
From Super Contra:
In addition, completely new melodies are used in the main menu of the game and special modes, such as underwater levels, PvP battles and various events. Remixes of tracks from other Konami games –Jackal, Salamander, Rush'n Attack and Yie Ar Kung-Fu– were added in the second anniversary update of the game and later updates.
Notes[]
- Since its early development, Contra Returns has been referred to by four main different titles and their respective variations:
- 魂斗罗 - Referred to simply as "Contra" on the title screen during the first beta test back in 2015.
- 魂斗罗英雄归来 - Can be translated either as "Contra: Hero Returns" or "Contra: Heroes Return" (unofficial translations). This name was used in-game and on markets until China Joy 2016.
- 魂斗罗手游 - Can be translated either as "Contra: Mobile Game" or just "Contra Mobile" (unofficial translations). This title was used until 2017.
- 魂斗罗归来 - Can be translated either as "Contra: Return" or "Contra Returns" (official translations). The subtitle "Return" was changed to "Returns" in one update, which is the current official title the game is known as worldwide.
- All regional names are based on this title.
Gallery[]
- Main article: Contra Returns/Gallery
Artworks[]
Screenshots[]
Videos[]
Related products[]
- Contra - Contra Returns's overall look and feel, as well as enemies and bosses, are in great part inspired by this game.
- Contra: Evolution - Another Contra game mainly intended for the Chinese mobile gaming market.