Contrast Reviews

Contrast is ranked in the 15th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
6 / 10
Nov 15, 2013

Like its name implies, Contrast is a game with a sharp difference between its highs and lows. There's a lot to like here, but it doesn't make it all that easy to do so.

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5.5 / 10.0
Nov 22, 2013

...the cheap feeling of the effort and downright tiresome nature of moving about makes it hard to recommend Contrast as worth your money.

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6 / 10.0
Nov 17, 2013

Contrast is a low point in the PS4 launch line-up, but its frustrating gameplay and glitches are worth the uniquely fascinating story and aesthetics.

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Nov 21, 2013

Contrast had the potential to be the breakout indie game of the new generation, but has managed to fall drastically short of what I had imagined.

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5 / 10.0
Dec 9, 2013

Compulsion Games' Contrast hints numerous excellent ideas but in its hasty execution, fails to deliver almost any of them.

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6.5 / 10.0
Dec 4, 2013

There were also a few minor gameplay glitches in which I would get kicked out of shadow mode for what appeared to be no reason or stuck to objects in the world. I would find myself setting down boxes and then unable to move afterwards or stuck on invisible objects in the environment. This didn't happen throughout the whole game, but it occurred enough that it warranted mention. For the most part the shadow mode works pretty well. It is a fun and unique twist to your standard fare puzzle-platformer, but really only adds underutilized potential when the curtains prematurely fall.

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EGM
Top Critic
4 / 10.0
Nov 18, 2013

Contrast offers one of the most interesting gameplay gimmicks in recent memory, but the lack of engaging puzzles and interesting levels prevent the concept from being put to good use.

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6.5 / 10.0
Nov 14, 2013

Contrast is, again, many things: in more than one way, it's vibrant and dark. It's beautiful and surreal. It's heartwarming and compelling. But at the same time, it often feels like it could use just a little more polish, a little more expansion.

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6 / 10.0
Nov 15, 2013

Is Contrast art? Yes, but it's flawed art. While its concept is great and the atmosphere is phenomenal, that's as far as the brilliance goes. The gameplay simply doesn't hold up the weight of Contrast's dark and serious narrative, which proves that art games still need to be actual games.

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1.5 / 5.0
Nov 22, 2013

Contrast is a mess. It's ugly, tiresome, insipid and occasionally insulting.

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7.5 / 10.0
Nov 22, 2013

Contrast is an intriguing and enjoyable title with a host of good gameplay ideas, fantastic visuals, beautiful music and an interesting and heartfelt story that succeeds in spite of its occasional technical problems and short length.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 12, 2013

Contrast works as a bite size game, and Compulsion Games were clever enough to realise that. It's a neat little puzzle platformer with a very interesting premise. It doesn't amaze, but it does satisfy. If you've got a couple of hours to spare and looking for something a little taxing but won't strain your brain tissue too much.

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2.5 / 5.0
Nov 24, 2013

I dearly wanted to enjoy Contrast. It's the kind of game that is normally right up my alley, featuring puzzles, platforming, a stylish, historically inspired world, and an intelligent young female protagonist. It simply wasn't fun to actually play. Contrast would have made a delightful short film, but I'm afraid that it isn't a particularly good game.

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6 / 10.0
Dec 2, 2013

This is a game that could have been an indie classic, but the lack of polish—and conviction—kept it from really shining the way it could have.

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6 / 10
Nov 19, 2013

Contrast is a curious, fair attempt at a puzzle platformer with some neat ideas that make it somewhat enjoyable, but is a slightly frustrating experience that in the end won't be remembered for its gameplay, but more for its world, visuals and sound.

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6 / 10.0
Nov 24, 2013

I really, really wanted to like Contrast, and in many ways it is a beautiful game. The thing is, though, that however great a wow-factor devleopers can create in visuals, in compelling story, and in atmospheric music, this cannot and should not come at the expense of enjoyable, inventive and functional gameplay. Unfortunately for Contrast, too much time appears to have been spent on polishing the look of the game, and far too little on polishing the actual gameplay.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 10, 2013

Contrast isn't without its faults, but it still provides a memorable gaming experience.

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60 / 100
Dec 1, 2013

Contrast is underwhelming due to basic and unrefined platforming mechanics. The adventure fails to capitalize on strengths and the resulting experience falls flat.

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gameranx
Top Critic
6 / 10.0
Nov 22, 2013

While I'm impressed that Compulsion Games fought to make a game that would appeal to both genders and I appreciate their effort, in the end, I had my issues with Contrast. It's an adequate game but fails to live up to its full potential. I recommend it to those who desire a more story -focused title or those who have a preteen son or daughter to play with, but not for players who want a thought-provoking, puzzle-driven adventure.

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Nov 18, 2013

Pinch hitting for the highly anticipated 'DriveClub' as a part of the PlayStation 4 release was certain to be a daunting experience for the development team at Compulsion Games. Annoying bugs and short game play aside, they have nicely accommodated for those oversized shoes they needed to fill. 'Contrast' presents a wonderfully crafted and intimately personal story, while promoting an avant-garde take on the increasingly popular game play mechanics of light and shadow. The style of the game will keep you entertained from start to finish, but there isn't enough substance there to prompt a replay.

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