Yes, I as well thought it's like dead nation. And that's the problem. Despite Nakazota directing the game it's nothing like contra. Pace, visuals, narrative... nothings here is contra, beside small nods here and there.
The game itself is half-decent tho, they tried to add variety to it. But I don't really want to play it. Dead nation was okay mostly, but I wanted something better then, and want something better now.