Neo Contra

Neo Contra E3 2004 Preshow Impressions

Announced earlier this year, Neo Contra is the latest entry in Konami's long-running series of third-person shooters. Scheduled for release on PlayStation 2 in November, the game will be the first in the series to be played using a 3D isometric perspective which, according to Konami, makes for "more dynamic shooting action" as well as more strategic gameplay when confronted by a horde of enemies.

"With Neo Contra, we are taking the popular Contra series one step further and breaking new ground yet again," said Wilson Cheng, product manager at Konami Digital Entertainment - America. "We are giving game fans the adrenaline fix they crave by providing intense, challenging gameplay set in a 3D world for the first time on the PlayStation 2."

Set in the distant future, Neo Contra will see you reprising the role of the series' hero, Bill Rizer, and there will also be a second playable character named Genbei Jaguer Yaguy. Yaguy is described as a mysterious Samurai and, as such, will employ completely different combat moves and weapons than Rizer--resulting in a whole new way for you to play the game, perhaps after beating it with Rizer.

Neo Contra will feature the same challenging multistage levels and huge bosses that the series is known for, but it will also boast plenty of new features befitting its new 3D gameplay, such as rendered cinematic sequences, a slew of brand-new weapons, and a hit-rate system to keep track of scoring. All of the environments in the game will be destructible and, since the series' spread gun is making a welcome return, you can bet that the scenery will be taking some pretty big hits as you progress through the game.

Further details on Neo Contra are scarce at present, save for the fact that its packaging will be designed by artist Jim Lee, whose previous credits include work on X-Men, Batman, and Superman comics. We'll bring you more information on Neo Contra as soon as it becomes available.