To me, it is frustratingly difficult. I hope they tone down the enemies shots, maybe reduce them to one or two per firing? Three is just too much when coming from as many as 4 or 5 directions like they do right there at the beginning (where I lose view because of the foliage).

Another option would be to make things fade/transparent/disappear when between the player and the camera, that way we can still defend ourselves or react to incoming bullets.

The distance in the level I reach in that video is the farthest I was able to make it. I have not loaded it back up since recording that either. I am waiting for the next release before I try again. I did load up the original Contra and I was able to make it decently far for someone that has not played in well over a decade or so. That tells me it is not my reflexes being less than they were and this 3D Contra is just tough as nails.

Now that I said that, some teenager is going to post videos acing this, no hits, no missed shots, perfect speed run. Lol