Contrast (2013)

 PC
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 211 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 120 out of 211
  2. Mixed: 78 out of 211
  3. Negative: 13 out of 211

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Outlander999
    Nov 15, 2013
    8
    "Contrast" mixes unusual, original elements in the gameplay. The player will be surprised by that; It's short duration is the bigger weak point, however it's a pleasure to play. VIRTUALINN.IT
  2. Nolifegr
    Nov 15, 2013
    8
    Contrast is a unique experience. Even though its not the most lengthy and impressive game out there it managed to grab my attention for its whole duration. Its an interesting concept that is fairly priced and executed. Its clumsy character models is the only thing that stands out in a negative way. Besides that, it introduces new gameplay and puzzle elements and its a game worth playing.
  3. Colt_1911
    Dec 15, 2013
    8
    Objective review:

    The Short: Certainly a Game worth playing! Dont miss this one! The Long: Have been playing video games since about 1979. Cannot count the number a bad games I have played over the years. Have my own rating system of course, but I wont bother you to list it here. This is a good game this is why, it takes elements from other games, periods, culture, and meshes it    Objective review:

    The Short: Certainly a Game worth playing! Dont miss this one!

    The Long: Have been playing video games since about 1979. Cannot count the number a bad games I have played over the years. Have my own rating system of course, but I wont bother you to list it here. This is a good game this is why, it takes elements from other games, periods, culture, and meshes it together in its own unique fashion. It's a Caroline (Dark, Tim Burton movie), Alice (Mind bending, video game), Bioshock (50's cliché videogame), mixed with a little Dick Tracy (Novel type storyline), and a sight tinge of portal and tome raider (puzzles and pathfinding)

    As you have already read the game is 3D, but shifts into 2D for platforming puzzles. What a concept! I have not gotten far in the game, and I don't know what the length of the game will be, but I assure you I am so glad I didn't miss out on this one. I have played, literally, thousands of games, and more than once I got goosebumps thinking about how different and unique this game is. Yes, it's simple, linear, and a mishmash of different games, and themes, but as someone once said "everything that can be invented already has" So there certainly isn't one singular formula in this game. They have taken from different themes and ideas and created something unique! And for the record I don't like pathfinding, and don't care much for platforming (well since sega anyway! LOL), but the storyline is solid and the theme rather unique. Bottom Line is the game is FUN!!

    Ok now for the bad, Controls suck, you cant remap controller or keyboard/mouse. That's what I call a bad port! Or just a NO-NO! Let me tell you that I liked this game so much I remapped my keyboard so I could play it comfortably! I have done that like 7 times in 30 years to play a game! Ok, next the graphics aren't bad, but don't expect Far Cry 3 either. Checkpoint saves, ok never liked them since then were introduced 16 years ago. One last thing, rather minor, but sometimes your objectives are not very clear, no minimap, but the game is quite linear, so isnt really much of a problem.

    Pros:
    Unique Gameplay
    Solid Storyline
    Stable interface
    FUN!!

    Cons:
    Cant remap controls
    Graphics not bad, but not top of the line next gen either
    Checkpoint saves always suck
    Linear gameplay, sandbox would be awesome

    Summary:
    For the record this is not an epic game, just one worth playing. I don't think you will be disappointed.    … Expand
  4. sassbear007
    Nov 19, 2013
    9
    Contrast is such a beautiful game. I waited for so long for this game to unlock on Steam after pre-ordering it, and the wait was very much worth it. The gameplay is something that I've never experienced before in other platformers; what an amazing experience. I thought the shifts and interactions between the 3D world and the 2D world of shadows was absolutely fantastic. The main hook forContrast is such a beautiful game. I waited for so long for this game to unlock on Steam after pre-ordering it, and the wait was very much worth it. The gameplay is something that I've never experienced before in other platformers; what an amazing experience. I thought the shifts and interactions between the 3D world and the 2D world of shadows was absolutely fantastic. The main hook for me was the setting and the soundtrack. The 20s vibe combined with elements of film noir was something that I instantly fell in love with, and the soundtrack is nothing short of brilliant. The other thing that I loved so much about this game is Dawn's character design. I couldn't get enough of it. However, although my general opinion of this game is positive (don't get me wrong, I love this game a lot), I can't say that it is perfect. I thought the story was a bit weak and the ending falls a bit short. There were times where I found myself over-analyzing the story and hoping for a major plot twist. I guess I'm just used to story-heavy games. Having said that, the mechanics of the game more than makes up for what it lacks in story. I did find that the puzzles became a bit frustrating in some stages, though that might just be my incompetence. Overall I give this game a 9/10 because of its genius and sheer beauty.… Expand
  5. Balaqua
    Nov 16, 2013
    9
    The game is innovative and different, works very well with the Xbox contoller for windows, lovely graphics and atmosphere, fun to play, one for the more discerning gamer, please can we have some more.
  6. Yesiamaduck
    Nov 15, 2013
    8
    The game is a beautiful experience with a fantastic art direction and some fantastic areas of which the puzzles are built around. It is a flawed game though with a checkpoint system and no freedom to save where you wish, a somewhat lukewarm main protagonist in the little girl, the minor bugs and slightly disappointing controls. However with the imaginative puzzle design, imaginative worldsThe game is a beautiful experience with a fantastic art direction and some fantastic areas of which the puzzles are built around. It is a flawed game though with a checkpoint system and no freedom to save where you wish, a somewhat lukewarm main protagonist in the little girl, the minor bugs and slightly disappointing controls. However with the imaginative puzzle design, imaginative worlds and incredibly 'high' highs I can't help but recommend this game to anyone who looks at the screenshots and thinks 'this looks' cool, it's short though at 3 hours so and maybe an hour more at most if you're looking for collectables.… Expand
  7. Ulrich5000
    Nov 17, 2013
    8
    Contrast is a very unique game. While it did get a bit glitchy at times when moving the boxes or getting stuck on something at random. It's a really great game, the story with Didi and her parents really gets you into the world of Contrast. While it's a short game, you have trouble putting it down, even when the puzzles seem impossible or downright confusing, it's the story that pushes youContrast is a very unique game. While it did get a bit glitchy at times when moving the boxes or getting stuck on something at random. It's a really great game, the story with Didi and her parents really gets you into the world of Contrast. While it's a short game, you have trouble putting it down, even when the puzzles seem impossible or downright confusing, it's the story that pushes you to want to keep playing. And let me say, what an experience.

    It's definitely worth the $15. It took me about 3 hours to beat the game, but going back, getting the collectibles and achievements makes it all the more worth the extra hours. Also worth mentioning, this game is absolutely gorgeous, you really get a sense of truly being in 1920's Paris. I'd definitely recommend this game to people who likes puzzle games such as Portal.

    I give it at 8/10    … Expand
  8. bobothefish
    Nov 15, 2013
    9
    This game was an excellent puzzle/platformer with some very creative puzzles and very fun platforming sections. It asked the player to look at and use their environment in interesting ways and did not baby the player with excessive hints. The story element were quite good and the voice acting was also of a high quality. That being said this was by no means a perfect game. When I wasThis game was an excellent puzzle/platformer with some very creative puzzles and very fun platforming sections. It asked the player to look at and use their environment in interesting ways and did not baby the player with excessive hints. The story element were quite good and the voice acting was also of a high quality. That being said this was by no means a perfect game. When I was trying to figure out a couple puzzles I managed to get myself stuck completely in the environment by trying some odd things and the rest of the physics in general could be kind of shaky. The game needs a bit more bug fixing as one time when I messed up a box puzzle and fell to my doom along with the box, said box failed to respawn and I had to restart the chapter. The biggest problem with the game is that it is far far too short. While the story definitely feels complete and gives a good feel of closure while answer most of the questions the game presents (with the rest being answered by the collection items), all the characters could have been better fleshed out and the themes could have been explored deeper without making the game drag as the pacing of gameplay to story was top notch. Despite all the flaws of the game I still think it was great fun and worth a play through for most people. I hope to see more from Compulsion and hope that they build on what made this game good and give a more full experience next time. Overall I would give this game an 8.5 but metacritic won't let me so I will bump it to 9.… Expand
  9. libellus
    Nov 27, 2013
    10
    This is an excellent puzzle exploration game with an interesting storyline if you watch cut-scenes.

    What makes this game a trendsetting gem, though, is that the developers have conceptualized progression problem solving in a completely new way. It's unique to see a game that features a dual-dimensional landscape that requires players to use the character's ability to fluidly shift    This is an excellent puzzle exploration game with an interesting storyline if you watch cut-scenes.

    What makes this game a trendsetting gem, though, is that the developers have conceptualized progression problem solving in a completely new way. It's unique to see a game that features a dual-dimensional landscape that requires players to use the character's ability to fluidly shift between the 2-D and 3-D environments to solve various puzzles and progress.

    The game can be successfully conquered in a couple hours and aside from a few bugs here and there and infrequent save points, it's a good game that doesn't require a lifetime of dedication to fully complete *cough* Skyrim *cough*. I got my copy for $15 and I'd say that price is appropriate.    … Expand
  10. chrisdragn
    Nov 17, 2013
    9
    This is a great game with moderately challenging puzzles. The texture and art style made me droll, as it is fantastic. The dialogue was also great making me really bond with the characters. The story line and game concept blew my mind, and I truly believe it will blow yours as well. I can not stop listening to the sound track either. The only downfall the game has is that it is only fiveThis is a great game with moderately challenging puzzles. The texture and art style made me droll, as it is fantastic. The dialogue was also great making me really bond with the characters. The story line and game concept blew my mind, and I truly believe it will blow yours as well. I can not stop listening to the sound track either. The only downfall the game has is that it is only five short but amazing hours long, depressing me that it is over. Over all this game is just simply brilliant. I highly recommend it. It will blow your mind.… Expand
  11. fdxcd
    Nov 19, 2013
    10
    The atmosphere. The one thing alone that makes this game playable. Even with cartoonish, angular people, small quantity of characters that you can see in 3d, it still feels like the world of Contrast filled with life.
    Lack of visual glitches, full and working gamepad support rare things you can see in modern pc games make process of inhibiting air of 1920s even more enjoyable. Totally    The atmosphere. The one thing alone that makes this game playable. Even with cartoonish, angular people, small quantity of characters that you can see in 3d, it still feels like the world of Contrast filled with life.
    Lack of visual glitches, full and working gamepad support rare things you can see in modern pc games make process of inhibiting air of 1920s even more enjoyable. Totally worth 10 bucks that they're asking for it.    … Expand
  12. deadsway
    Nov 17, 2013
    10
    Waited 2 years for this game and i loved playing it. Soundtrack is great. Hope there will be a DLC available soon, cause the game has only stunning 5 hours of playtime.
  13. nicolasrage
    Dec 1, 2013
    10
    Contrast is amazing! Really incredible art, emotionally engaging story, and seriously fun shadow mechanic make this game something of a rarity. I can't express how underrated I think this game actually is. Granted there are minor technical hiccups and the game is short, but it was also made by a really small independent team, and none of the glitches I encountered were game breaking. AllContrast is amazing! Really incredible art, emotionally engaging story, and seriously fun shadow mechanic make this game something of a rarity. I can't express how underrated I think this game actually is. Granted there are minor technical hiccups and the game is short, but it was also made by a really small independent team, and none of the glitches I encountered were game breaking. All in all highly recommended!… Expand
  14. biert
    Jan 22, 2017
    9
    The game doesn't take long to complete 4hrs of gameplay but is great along the way. The concept of manoeuvring the game through the shadows to get from point A to point B is unique. It makes that the puzzles in the game get a different feel to it. The atmosphere in the game is great with a great soundtrack and nice art style that really sell the game and bring you an intriguing story. ItThe game doesn't take long to complete 4hrs of gameplay but is great along the way. The concept of manoeuvring the game through the shadows to get from point A to point B is unique. It makes that the puzzles in the game get a different feel to it. The atmosphere in the game is great with a great soundtrack and nice art style that really sell the game and bring you an intriguing story. It is difficult to put the game away and it wouldn't surprise me if you would play through the game in one sitting. All in all great game which I would recommend everyone to play.… Expand
  15. runner
    Dec 24, 2014
    9
    There aren't that many games which would make me (or anyone) say "Wow that was cool" after they come to an end.
    This one did it to me!
    Contrast is an innovative game, taking some well known video-gaming genres and making from them something we haven't seen a lot lately (if at all), with its main downside of being very (!) short and perhaps a little rushed. The main "punch" of    There aren't that many games which would make me (or anyone) say "Wow that was cool" after they come to an end.
    This one did it to me!

    Contrast is an innovative game, taking some well known video-gaming genres and making from them something we haven't seen a lot lately (if at all), with its main downside of being very (!) short and perhaps a little rushed.

    The main "punch" of Contrast is the you'd play around not only in your old-regular 3D world but also in the shadow world, yes, you'd step into a wall and become your own shadow.

    Sounds simple, but fortunately Contrast doesn't just use the one and only gimmick it creates in order to try and make itself a good game, but also wraps it with some great graphics and sounds, interesting characters and a moving story in an exceptionally good noir atmosphere.

    Too bad you can easily finish this game in about 3 hours, and if you like to take your time like myself, and explore every corner.. You may reach 6 hours. No more.
    The game is also mostly not very challanging, and despite the interesting gameplay you can easily rush through the game, most of the time. And when you have some difficulties it would not necessarily be because of a challanging puzzle, but because some minor technical issue, as you may notice that the game and its mechanics aren't 100% polished.

    I'm aware that the developers are new, independent and small company. But at some points I did wonder whether that's the reason for those few and usually minor flaws in Contrast, or simply because it was too rushed.

    Anyway, it doesn't hurt badly to my appreciation for this game.
    Because of its great artistic values, because of it being new and unusual and yet so good and engaging, it may even be worth those 15 bucks, and I'd definitely recommend this game.    … Expand
  16. CruzKr
    Jun 29, 2014
    8
    Due to low PC setting (because i didn't get a good pc though), i can honestly say Contrast is really great puzzle game. But i did hope game-play would be longer but the game's story still very good and sound, design, etc. I think Contrast deserves 8/10
  17. Yirg
    Aug 23, 2014
    9
    Amazing artwork and concept. Very nice music, story and voice acting. Some jumps can be a bit tedious, especially toward the end of the game. Except for timing of some jumps, I had no issues with controls. No complaints about camera movement either. Length is perfect (I like short games). Overall, a unique game that’s well worth your time and money. Highly underrated.
  18. Metiiin
    May 17, 2015
    9
    This really was a great game. I got it for much cheaper than $15 and beat it in around 3 hours so it was fine for me. For 15 dollars I would expect a little more though. I don't really understand all the complaints about the game. I haven't played a good platformer in a while and this one definitely hit the spot. The shadow mechanic is amazing. Some people say the story was rushed but itThis really was a great game. I got it for much cheaper than $15 and beat it in around 3 hours so it was fine for me. For 15 dollars I would expect a little more though. I don't really understand all the complaints about the game. I haven't played a good platformer in a while and this one definitely hit the spot. The shadow mechanic is amazing. Some people say the story was rushed but it fits perfectly fine. If you actually read the collectibles everything makes perfect sense.… Expand
  19. cinciangjanpang
    Jun 24, 2018
    9
    Some games are more unique than you would like to. It's one of them.
    Graphics - Astonishing 10/10 (for its times)
    Story - Awesome emotional rollercoaster 10/10 Audio - I will separate sound and music. Sound gets only 7/10, because it's good, but nothing to talk about. Music gets 10/10. I won't spoil it for you, but it's truly 10/10. Gameplay - Yes... gameplay. It's very unique. And for    Some games are more unique than you would like to. It's one of them.
    Graphics - Astonishing 10/10 (for its times)
    Story - Awesome emotional rollercoaster 10/10
    Audio - I will separate sound and music. Sound gets only 7/10, because it's good, but nothing to talk about. Music gets 10/10. I won't spoil it for you, but it's truly 10/10.
    Gameplay - Yes... gameplay. It's very unique. And for many of you this can mean something bad. I can't grade gameplay because it's something different. I will go with 8/10, but in 2013 it was from a different planet. Actually, it still is. You have to try it. You must try it to understand why it's so unique, but you may not like it.
    Bugs & Glitches - I've encountered few of them. Not too many, but significant amount. I felt like devs were forced to publish this game before final tests but still it's playable beta, better than EA products on launch. 7/10.
    Overall - 9/10. It's a masterpiece but with few bugs, not for everyone and experienced is based on your attitude. Worth your time and money but I recommend to buy it on some kind of sale because you probably won't finish it.    … Expand
  20. ScorDrag
    Aug 1, 2020
    8
    Artıları:
    +Eğlenceli bulmacalar
    + Müzik ve sesler iyi
    + Karakterler sevimli
    Eksileri:
    - Kontroller zor ve eğlenceli değil.
    - Bazı bulmacalar çok kolay.
    - Kısa ve yetersiz hikaye.
  21. d3uzZ
    May 28, 2022
    8
    Contrast - это уникальный опыт. Несмотря на то, что это не самая продолжительная и впечатляющая игра, ей удалось привлечь мое внимание. Это интересная концепция, которая представляет необычные элементы геймплея и головоломок. Однозначно стоит ознакомится.Contrast - это уникальный опыт. Несмотря на то, что это не самая продолжительная и впечатляющая игра, ей удалось привлечь мое внимание. Это интересная концепция, которая представляет необычные элементы геймплея и головоломок. Однозначно стоит ознакомится.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. PC Gamer
    Dec 31, 2013
    52
    Still, even with the most charming narrative, the clumsy and ultimately banal action leaves Contrast whistling in the dark. [Feb 2014, p.74]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Dec 28, 2013
    60
    Simple, yet poetic game of shadows and light, which would benefit from a little more polish, so it wouldn’t grate on its players’ nerves. [Issue#237]
  3. Eurogamer Portugal
    Dec 12, 2013
    60
    A different experience, not memorable, but it manages to hold our attention until the end. It’s worth it for its noir aesthetic, combined with a cabaret soundtrack and a clever mix of patterns of play, both in 2D, 3D alternation, as the variation between moments of platforms, and those in which we are put to mental test.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »