Taking a brave but sometimes lucrative decision to launch a budget Contra inspired titles alongside the new release of AA title Contra: Operation Galuga is a double edged sword. It is highly unlikely to rival the bigger budget title graphically, sonically or gameplay wise but that doesn’t mean it should be automatically swept to one side. Orion Haste has some interesting ideas but it doesn’t quite deliver on them in what is an at times frustrating game to play.
Orion Haste comes from the run and gun side of Contra inspired titles. You start out each level with one gun but pick up three others along the way. They have different reload and damage stats but interestingly the lightning gun can charge up elevators and start up mechanisms. Its a nice idea that is nodded to but never really fully integrated into the game. That is probably because Orion Haste much prefers piling on the pressure of respawning enemies if you don’t move on. As you scroll through the platforming levels, you’ll reach doors or areas where enemies will constantly spawn until you can kill them and get far enough away from the door that it vanishes from the level. This is a game where you cannot go backwards so once things are off screen, they are gone forever although that rule takes longer for enemy spawning to apply than it does the player getting pickups for example.
A lot of the running and gunning involves ducking on the floor to shoot enemies. You have six axis of shot aiming which is finickity to do on the run so Orion Haste lets you handily stand still with a button hold to aim and shoot. There’s no ammo to speak of but enemies shoot back quickly so you’ll stand, stood and then run to get the best out of the game.
Where Orion Haste works best is that it does switch up level design by including vehicle levels. On these you race down endless roads on a bike shooting other enemies driving or floating onto the screen. It is a welcome throwback to old school arcade shooters and when combined with a few jumps over obstacles, it makes for short bursts of fun. The platforming sometimes feels a bit too wooden though, as if the hitbox detection for ledges is slightly wider than the graphics, making you slide clumsily down a wall to your death a little too often. Bosses are interesting though. They come with multiple forms and are a definite highlight of the game. They are fast and require you to switch weapons to get the best fire rate in at the short intervals when the boss is open for damage. They can be a challenge but they are an enjoyable one.
The main issue is that its all been done before and done better. For fans of retro Contra’s, this isn’t the worst one out there – not by a long shot. It just isn’t memorable either. Making you restart the same levels upon death that feel like games I’ve played 20 years ago but without as much personality gets a bit stale. Orion Haste is totally ok… and that’s why its tricky to recommend outside of easy platinum and achievement hunters.
Review copy provided by publisher. PS5 version tested.
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