Contra: Locked and Loaded

Contra: Locked and Loaded is a fan-made tribute to the classic run-and-gun formula, taking the familiar idea of sprinting through hostile territory while shooting practically everything that moves and giving it a modern independent treatment. The emphasis is firmly on action, with the sort of relentless enemy pressure that makes standing still a questionable life choice. It captures the spirit of old arcade shooters while benefiting from decades of accumulated fan enthusiasm. This is not a slow tactical expedition where you carefully consider your options; your options are generally “shoot” and “shoot more.” For players who grew up with brutally demanding action games, Contra: Locked and Loaded offers a welcome trip back to that particular kind of chaos.