In 1987 Konami released the hugely successful run-and-gun shoot ’em up Contra in arcades, and Gryzor is the localised European conversion of that game, published by Ocean Software in 1988.
I chose to grab the Amstrad CPC version for our Amstrad special because I read a gushing review of it on the Retro Gamer website, and – I have to be honest – having now played it: I think the game is appallingly bad!
I think the graphics are poor; the play area is tiny; the scrolling is dire; sprites blend into the backgrounds; it’s unfairly difficult, and borderline unplayable. I think that Gryzor on the Amstrad pales in comparison to literally any other version of Contra that I’ve ever played, and I also think that anyone prepared to gush over this game has rosier-tinted spectacles than even the most blind of fanboys…
I can’t play crap like this… I like my games to be fair and playable. And I don’t mind difficult games either, but I hate unfair ones and Gryzor sucks at being fair. Therefore it sucks at being a good video game. Give me Contra III, Contra: Hard Corps, or even Contra on the OG Game Boy, any day of the week over this absolute horse pucky.
More: Contra on Wikipedia
The King of Grabs 
Hello.
first, thanks a lot for your website !
Concerning Gryzor, I disagree with your conclusion : considering the amstrad specs, Gryzor is an incredible transposition and a very enjoyable game. Graphics, music/sounds and controls are close to perfection again according to the specs. I finished the game and the difficulty level is not excessive.
BR
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I’m honestly glad someone out there appreciates this game. Better to have some love than none, right? 🙂
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Not fair. This is not the sole loved cpc game… But I can understand that it is not your favorite one. Give it a try again :).
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It’s just an opinion. I hated every minute of it. Some people will. Get over it.
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