From: tpehrson@javelin.sim.es.com (tim clinkenpeel)
Subject: [SNES] ClinkenReview:  Contra ]I[ - The Alien Wars
Reply-To: tpehrson@javelin.sim.es.com
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 19:51:50 GMT

 _ 
(_ l i n k e n r e v i e w
------------------------------------------------- reviews follow this format:
gameplay is summarized in a short paragraph.  next, highlights and faults are
list in the various pertinent areas.  in conclusion, an overall rating is
given on a scale of 1 to 10--see the rating guide at the bottom of the review
for further details.  i do not rate individual areas and average them, as the
good does not always count against the bad and vice versa.  
old reviews are kept on file and may be requested by sending mail to
tpehrson@javelin.sim.es.com with the text 'review request: <string>' in the
subject.  all reviews with titles matching <string> (wildcard) will be
returned, or use "all" to receive all reviews.  my reviews are my opinion,
written with no intention to neither appease nor offend any person or
corporation.  ---------------------------------------------------------------


'contra III - the alien wars' is an action packed, thrill-a-second "if it
moves, kill it dead" multi-weapon game--a 'shootemup' if you will (i despise
the term, and it makes me think of games in the r-type genre).  as almost
always, this game was a rental and did not have a manual available.  one or
two players, 'credit' continues.

the game utilizes all the buttons on the control pad to help you shoot, jump,
smartbomb, duck, switch weapons and special move your way to the demise of
those alien 'fukrs' that have wreaked havoc on your peace-loving planet.  i
found the control layout to be effective and simple to master.

the graphics do an excellent job of portraying the gloomy post-apocalyptic
setting of the game.  animation could have been a little smoother for your
alter-ego (more frames), but is adequate.

sound?  lots of nice loud explosions, clankings, bangings, whirrings,
whizzings, scorchings, screams, etc.  great job here, konami.  the music?  the
action is so intense i really didn't notice it so much, although the eerie,
premonition-of-doom music working up to a wild crescendo during the boss
face-offs certainly got the adreline pumping in your humble narrator.

as mentioned earlier, the gameplay is fast and furious.  even with the
settings at 'easy' and seven lives per credit (limit 5) the challenge was
worthy of keeping my interested piqued.  the bosses are all unique and
exciting, with just enough predictability to be defeatable with a possible
flawless performance, just enought randomness to keep you on your toes every
time.  there's horizontal scrolling.  there's vertical scrolling.  there's
intense mode-7 overhead action.  there's high-speed background scrolling that
puts sonic the hedgehog to shame.  and there's even some gore.  the game does
follow an enjoyable 'story-line' format that builds to a climax, although
there is no smooth level-to-level plot transition.  who cares?  i was
enthralled.  even after logging in the neighborhood of 8 hours (alone and
two-player simultaneous) i was not able to beat the game, although
progressining each time.  i never found the earlier levels to become
monotonous, in fact i always looked forward to slaughtering my old 'friends'.
'virgin' territory is of course quite exciting.

neat little demo at the beginning of the game (complete with a short, stupid
little dialogue:  "let's fight aggressively"!?!?).  don't know about the
endgame as of yet.

OVERALL RATING: 9.3.  even if and when you complete this game, you (if you're
anything like me, at least in the gaming regard) will want to keep this
around.  it's an excellent 'guest game' and/or 'show-off game' (as in the snes
capabilities, that is).  a unskilled player found the game exciting enough
even to just watch.

+--rating-scale----------------+
| <2  complete trash           |
| <4  not worth the bother     |
| <6  possible cure for ennui  |
| 6-8 merits rental            |
| >8  worthy of purchase       |
+------------------------------+

-- 
\clinkenpeel: aberrant analytical cynical agnostic idealist.  i exclusively /
/represent myself.  i do not offend anyone; however, some morons choose to  \
\offend themselves.  judge only those who you would have judge yourself.  i /
/don't practice what i preach - i'm not the type of person i'm preaching to.\