Five years ago we covered the first two distinct entries in Konami's Contra series of run and gun shmups. Now, on the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the alien wars, we regroup to battle Contra Spirits, aka Contra III: The Alien Wars, aka Super Probotector: Alien Rebels. Leon, Michiel and returning guest Ben Cartlidge of One Credit Classics flip into the future and drive back the hideous menaces - along, as usual, with contributions from the Cane and Rinse forum and Patreon communities.

Contra Spirits (Contra III: The Alien Wars) – Cane and Rinse No.503

Video Games

Games & Hobbies

Hobbies

Games

Leisure

Lucasfilm Games teamed up with Infocom's visionary creative Brian Moriarty in 1990 for the fifth of the studio's SCUMM-based point and click adventures, the whimsical and musical Loom. Leon, Chis Worthington, Jesse (who selected this game as his pick for the Volume) and Ryan - along with contributions from the Cane and Rinse community - pick their way stitch-by-stitch through this unusual and accessible yarn.

Loom – Cane and Rinse No.616

Somehow, nearly six years has passed since we covered the original Pikmin back in podcast issue 321. 20 years on from the sequel's original GameCube release in Japan, we get cosy with Pikmin 2. Leon, Brian, Chris O'Regan plus community contributors weigh in on Nintendo's much-expanded and divisive follow-up.

Pikmin 2 – Cane and Rinse No.615

A lovable set of siblings, a journey of hope, and a billion rats. Brian, James, Jon and Karl revisit A Plague Tale: Innocence to examine whether or not the story of Hugo and Amicia remains relevant. Come for the discussion, stay for the rat tornadoes.

A Plague Tale: Innocence – Cane and Rinse No.614

With the game having been released for over three years, and actually finished for a few months now (at the time of recording), we felt we could finally take a proper look at Cyberpunk 2077. Leon, Jay, Rich and Ryan head down to Night City's scuzzy streets for a full and frank appraisal of CDPR's expensive and expansive future-GTA. We also hear from the Cane and Rinse community and assess what ambitious DLC expansion Phantom Liberty brought to the party.

Cyberpunk 2077 – Cane and Rinse No.613

James, Karl, Leah, and Tony go on an intrepid adventure through the Angolan jungle and Canadian Rockies hot on the trail of everyone’s favourite Canadian can opener.
It’s not often that a movie tie-in outshines its movie, but back in 2009 Raven Software seemed to achieve that with X-Men Origins: Wolverine. We know Logan ages gracefully, but will his game fare so well?

Contra Spirits (Contra III: The Alien Wars) – Cane and Rinse No.503

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