A comparison: Contra III and Contra Hard Corps

[hcgamer]

III is faithful to the contra series hard corps is the evolution of the contra series.

Therefore Contra III is the more faithful of the two games and the better game.

Bwaaah? Contra 3 is better because it's more faithful?

[Pingfa]

I've only played a few levels of Alien Wars on an emulator so I'm not one to compare, but from what I've played of both I'm guessing I'd like Alien Wars more. Although I thoroughly enjoyed Hard Corps at first and it is very challenging to begin with, once you know the patterns it becomes so easy to the point of being tedious (at least that was the case for me). Even though it seems frenetic at first, it feels like there is very little interaction when you know what to do.

I once liked Hard Corps more than Gunstar Heroes, but now I realize GH has a lot more variety and is much more replayable.

[Mr.White555]

Therefore Contra III is the more faithful of the two games and the better game.

Bwaaah? Contra 3 is better because it's more faithful?

That is one of the reasons. Contra 3 controls betters and has better pacing too.

[GSZX1337]

Therefore Contra III is the more faithful of the two games and the better game.

Bwaaah? Contra 3 is better because it's more faithful?

That is one of the reasons. Contra 3 controls betters and has better pacing too.

So being more faithful is just one of the positives? Reading your conclusion lead me to think that you thought it was better just because of its faithfulness.

[Mr.White555]

Aren't you forgetting the double jump, health bar and branching paths? The robot also has a smaller hit box iirc.

Contra Hard Corps:
Contrary to the other games in the series this installment actually has a continual story that has branching paths. This is Hard Corps strongest point. There are multiple endings and a variety of different levels to reach them.

I own the North American version and there is no life bar. Frankly the game doesn't need a life bar. Also there is no double jump unless you are referring to the robot's jet pack ability, and even then it is not a double jump.

P.S. This was my first review and I now realize there are some things wrong with the format I used. For instance I didn't articulate my conclusion enough and I forgot to include one or two features. In my next installment I will include a section that explains which game wins each part rather than implying it.

[Mr.White555]

What do you mean by needing slowdown? Are you referring to occasional instances in which the game lags? Or are you talking about the PAL region version's slow down due to being played at 50hz instead of the game originally being designed in 60hz for the North American and Japanese releases?

If you are referring to the instances of lag or slowdowns (whatever you want to call it), which you are insinuating makes Contra III a worse game? Like you said all of the Contra games have occasional slowdown (4 being the exception), so why is this relevant? These slowdowns can be found in most games that push their system to the limit like Kirby's Adventure for the NES and Gunstar Heroes for the Genesis. The slowdowns weren't acts of conscience by the developers , but are side effects. So it's not as if the developers decided to make slowdowns for some unexplained reason that was not "needed."

If you are referring to PAL region version(s) then it is irrelevant since this is a comparison of the North American releases of Contra III: Alien Wars and Contra: Hard Corps. This was a comparison of the North American or NTSC versions.

This review was not written from the experience of playing Super Probotector, Contra Spirits, Probotector, or the Japanese version of Contra: Hard Corps.

[dischord76]

I definitely prefer contra 3 over hard corps but I love both! I remember as a kid always wishing that I could have at least 2 hit points instead of one! I own both, and have definitely played 3 more. I like that you can choose your character in HC, but it doesn't feel the same (gameplay) Either way, if you are new to the games and have a snes/gen either game you choose would be the right choice.