CONTRA: EVOLUTION
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•Release Information
•Overview
•Other Versions
•Variants
•Regional Differences
•Trivia
RELEASE INFORMATION
Native Platform: iOS
Media/Formats: Digital Release
Developer: Punchbox Studios
Publisher: NTSC-J: Punchbox Studios
NTSC-U: Punchbox Studios
PAL: Punchbox Studios
Release: NTSC-J: June 26, 2013
NTSC-U: June 26, 2013 (see below)
PAL: June 26, 2013
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OVERVIEW
Under license from Konami of China, Punchbox Studios developed a version of Contra: Evolution Revolution for Android and iOS devices for a release in China, under the same name. This remake significantly adds to the mobile version on which it’s based. Changes have been made to both the visuals, minor, and the gameplay, major. Graphical changes include updated animation and a more detailed look to the game. Minor “cutscenes” and intermission sequences have been added, including an intro sequence featuring, presumably, the Waterfall boss. The main changes reside in the gameplay. These include new weapons, 2 new characters (female), upgrades and powerups to in-game abilities, largely modified level elements and a heavy reliance on pay-based play. The game also provides control customization options and an achievement list.
This version had been temporarily sold in the US App Store on May 31, 2013, under the title Contra: Evolution. The reception to it has been, and continues to be, harsh. The primary complaints reside in the gameplay, with the biggest issue being the difficult controls. Contra: Evolution further reaffirms that touch-based devices are not yet suitable for fast-paced games; players often perform an undesired action or simply fail to perform the desired one due to the imprecise control system, costing them the game session.
The second most common criticism is made towards the game’s purchasing system. It can potentially cost ten times more to get the full game experience than it costs to purchase the game. Players must purchase in-game diamonds in order to acquire weapon upgrades and other powerups; however, money is also required to unlock the 2 new female characters and even just to continue after a game over. The Konami Code is also a purchase, and it permanently changes the default starting lives to 30. The poorly implemented control system only compounds the issue and makes In-App Purchases/micro-transactions the prominent feature to this game.
Other complaints include the visuals. Many questioned the art style and considered much of the animation silly. Incidentally, Punchbox Studios quickly removed Contra: Evolution from the US App Store, stating that it was an early, accidental release and that the game will return in the US later in the year. On June 26, 2013, the game has received a worldwide App Store release, with none of the issues truly rectified.
Soon afterwards, an update was released that adds the Evolution subtitle to the title screen, among other things:
This updated title screen more closely resembles the title screen of the original Chinese version:
Interestingly, the game’s European iTunes preview includes Gryzor in the title:
Known versions/revisions (one for each of the standard and HD variants):
1.0.0
1.1.0
1.1.1
1.2.3
Addendum 1: In April of 2014, Contra: Evolution had been offered for free.
Addendum 2: As of Janurary 31, 2015, Punchbox Studios has indefinitely stopped offering the game for download on the App Store. Poor performance and (to a lesser extent) reception were likely factors in this decision.
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OTHER VERSIONS
Ports:
•Android
•Mobile (DoJa Platform)
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VARIANTS
There are 2 variants of Contra: Evolution for iOS devices. One variant, Contra: Evolution, supports all iOS-based devices. The other, Contra: Evolution HD, is exclusive to iPad tablets and features high-definition graphics, among other minor upgrades.
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REGIONAL DIFFERENCES
NTSC-J: 魂斗羅: 進化革命 (Contra: Evolution Revolution)
NTSC-U: Contra: Evolution
PAL: Contra: Evolution
There are currently no known regional differences.
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TRIVIA
SallySayuri:
The character Sally Inohara is likely based on the character Sayuri from Hard Corps: Uprising (the inspiration for Contra: Evolution). Both share a similar appearance and arsenal.
Thievery In More Than One Way:
It’s ridiculous enough that free-to-play and microtransactions were implemented in a game as poorly designed as Contra: Evolution. However, the shameless display of the lack of effort in this title knows no bounds, as shown below. Bill Rizer’s portrait, appearing in-game in all regional releases of the game and heavily in advertising/promotion in China, is a blatant ripoff of the art for Bryan Fury in Tekken:
Harmless Borrowing:
There is no doubt that the penultimate boss, the alien head (Emperor Demon Dragon God Java), rips off the Xenomorph from the film Alien.
Similarly, the eggs surrounding the heart (Emperor-Demon Evil Heart Gomera Mosking) that constantly spawn arthropod aliens are based on the Eggs from Aliens that spawn Face Huggers.
RobotsAliens In Disguise:
The fourth stage boss is likely inspired by the Transformers logo:
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