Coded Arms: Contagion Member Review for the PSP

The Good: Top notch production values, infrastructure, better control scheme, everything is updated from the first

The Bad: Everything else is pretty bad and bland, including the level design, weapon design, and AI, infrastructure is a bore, stupid story, Konami please just give up on this...

I remember being suckered into buying Coded Arms back when the first one came out. I regretted it and was probably the worst buy I've ever made. While Contagion updates everything of the first game and is a big improvement it doesn't do anything new and doesn't do what isn't new very well. Contagion's new features are a story that is somewhat boring and lame. A new "hacking" system where you can hack doors by matching numbers and this on it's own is annoying and lame. While you're trying to hack a turret you're vulnerable to fire so there really isn't a point of the hacking to have the turret help you. The upgrade system is broken since you can only upgrade to a certain point until you finish enough levels. You always end up with surplus upgrade points and nothing to upgrade. The AI is handicapped; while it's better then before it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Another thing is the level design is so bland like the first. That is probably the only thing that is the same. Another factor here is there is going to be ANOTHER Coded Arms on the PS3 later and we'll just get a next-gen bore fest. The game now has infrastructure but for only 4 players and is pretty boring. The only REALLY good thing here are the production values. Contagion sports some of the best graphics and audio in any PSP game but all this is wasted on the poor gameplay. Despite it's numerous flaws Contagion is still fun and is really worth a play through while you wait for the fall PSP blockbusters to show up. If you hated the first one you probably won't like this one but play it anyone just for the fun.