A run-'n'-gun comeback
Contra: Operation Galuga is a side-scrolling shooter that takes the 1980s run-'n'-gun formula and rebuilds it with modern graphics and sound. You control elite Contra commandos Bill Rizer and Lance Bean as the Red Falcon terrorist group takes over the Galuga Islands off the coast of New Zealand. The campaign runs across eight levels that mix jungle infiltration, a waterfall climb, and a hovercycle run through an enemy base, ending in large boss battles that fill the screen. Weapons include the spread shot, laser, and homing missiles, and each one can take stackable upgrades plus an Overload ability for a burst of extra power.
Playing together
The game supports co-op for up to two players in Story Mode and up to four players in Arcade Mode. Steam also lists Remote Play Together, so a friend can join your session over the internet without owning the game. Multiple playable characters come with distinct abilities, which lets the group split roles during a firefight. Everyone fights the same enemies and bosses, so the run works best when players cover each other's reloads and focus fire on the big targets.
Before you start
Three difficulty settings plus extra challenge options let you tune how brutal the run feels, so pick a level that suits the group before diving in. The game is tagged for controller use, so having a pad ready keeps the aiming and jumping comfortable. A tutorial is included, which is handy if someone in the group has not touched a Contra game before. Expect a PvE experience: the only opposition is the game's enemies and bosses, with no competitive mode listed.