Thanks! We spent a lot of time on trying to make it look good
I'm assuming you're talking about Base 1 actually since you said further down "I skipped level 4 since level 2 was unplayable." But like Tekno said, hold down R1 and if you want to move faster than the default speed hold X for your jetpack turbo.
I tried to make it a little easier to notice what layer is in what by making sure the floor was color coded so you won't be confused what layer you are standing in (the outer layers are silver, middle is black). Also, just knowing that the boss is 3 layers and the fact that the wall is symmetrical should be a little bit of an aid to what to expect so that when you learn one layer, you pretty much know the opposite layer. The bullets are also color coded in a sense that in phase 1, red bombs are on the outside and white bullets are in the middle. In phase two, blue bullets are on the outside and the red beam is always in the middle. Also, just a hint, but whenever you die the helicopter will drop you where it's safe.
Like Tekno said, the arms first then the head. Just like in original Contra.
Level 4 (Base 2) plays a little smoother than Base 1. Sometimes in the level you played the next wall will lag and not appear for a little bit but I've never had that problem in Level 4.
I don't know, I personally never have a problem with the difficulty in this stage. The bombs have a pattern that is easy to avoid and you can even shoot them out of the sky if you want. The turret shooters are easy enough to jump over as well, and the dozer minibosses and the boss isn't difficult when you figure out the trick to killing them.
