Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Coded Arms: Contagion plunges players into a fast-paced, first-person shooter experience set within the unstable depths of the A.I.D.A. virtual environment. You assume the role of special agent Jacob Grant, traversing twelve uniquely designed levels and tackling three bonus stages, each teeming with digital foes and environmental hazards. The core loop centers on blasting through well-guarded areas, collecting data fragments and plug-ins to enhance your arsenal.

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Weapon customization remains a highlight: more than a dozen firearms—ranging from rapid-fire submachine guns to heavy rocket launchers—can be upgraded on the fly using plug-ins you discover or loot from fallen enemies. These plug-ins not only boost damage and fire rates, but also introduce elemental effects and defensive shields. Coupled with a surprisingly deep hacking mechanic, where you match numeric codes to seize control of enemy turrets, combat feels dynamic and offers multiple strategic avenues.

Contagion’s mission design strikes a solid balance between linear corridors and open arenas. While some levels funnel you down high-speed data tunnels, others branch into side rooms containing hidden caches or secret objectives. The pacing never lags, thanks to the game’s focus on momentum—dying results in an immediate respawn within the virtual net, encouraging you to dive right back into the fray without lengthy loading screens or punishing checkpoints.

Graphics

On the technical side, Coded Arms: Contagion showcases a significant leap over its predecessor. Textures are sharper, particle effects—especially during weapon discharges and explosion sequences—are vibrant, and lighting plays a pivotal role in creating an eerie, digital atmosphere. Flickering neon signs and data streams ripple across walls, reinforcing the notion that you’re hacking through a living, breathing network.

The design of enemies and environmental hazards feels cohesive, borrowing inspiration from cyberpunk aesthetics and matrix-style cyberspace. Avatars of rogue military programs lurk in shadowy corners, their armor’s luminescent trims pulsing in sync with threat levels. This visual language not only aids immersion but also helps you distinguish between friend, foe, and hackable turret at a glance.

Multiplayer arenas benefit from the same graphical fidelity, with five distinct maps that range from crystalline data vaults to corrupted, glitch-ridden chambers. Even on PlayStation Portable hardware, frame rates remain stable, ensuring smooth firefights. Though loading times occasionally punctuate transitions between zones, they’re brief enough not to disrupt the flow.

Story

At its narrative core, Contagion builds on the premise of Coded Arms by tasking Jacob Grant with stabilizing the A.I.D.A. system, which previously ran amok across global networks. The introduction sequence—which flashes between news broadcasts of digital chaos and Grant’s digitization process—sets a tense tone, emphasizing both the stakes and the sci-fi intrigue of reliving one’s consciousness inside a machine.

Throughout the thirteen missions, subtle environmental storytelling emerges: corrupted data nodes spurt fragmented memories, and intercepted enemy transmissions hint at a hidden saboteur working within the network. While character development remains minimal (Grant is a silent protagonist for much of the journey), the mission briefings and occasional AI companion commentary provide enough context to keep you invested in uncovering the system’s lingering instability.

The climax ties together gameplay mechanics and narrative beats, leading to a final showdown against a rogue, self-aware construct. Though the ending leaves a few narrative threads dangling—potentially setting the stage for another sequel—the main arc delivers a satisfying resolution, with just enough ambiguity to keep fans speculating long after the credits roll.

Overall Experience

Coded Arms: Contagion succeeds in delivering a polished, action-oriented shooter that expands upon the original’s foundation. Its blend of fast-paced gunplay, weapon customization, and hacking puzzles provides a diversified gameplay loop that rarely becomes repetitive. Even veteran FPS fans will find themselves tweaking their loadouts and strategies to tackle tougher waves and higher difficulty tiers.

The inclusion of both Ad Hoc and Infrastructure multiplayer modes—supporting up to eight players—adds substantial replay value. Whether you’re coordinating a cooperative data-heist run or duking it out in free-for-all matches, the varied map designs keep each session fresh. Leaderboards and unlockable plug-ins further incentivize repeated playthroughs, appealing both to casual duels and hardcore stat hunters.

While some might wish for deeper narrative threads or more drastic level variety, Coded Arms: Contagion firmly establishes itself as one of the PSP’s standout shooters. Its tight controls, engaging progression system, and polished presentation make it a strong recommendation for anyone seeking a portable, sci-fi FPS with both single-player depth and robust multiplayer offerings.

Retro Replay Score

5.9/10