Contrast Reviews
Contrast is a mess. It's ugly, tiresome, insipid and occasionally insulting.
It'd be nice to say that at least it's something different but Contrast is far more mundane and derivative than it first appears. It's also a near farce on a technical level.
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.
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.
A great hook falls foul of terrible bugs, inconsistent mechanics, and woeful performance issues.
Like the shadows that inspire the game, Contrast just doesn't have much substance.
Contrast is a frequently beautiful mess
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.
Compulsion Games' Contrast hints numerous excellent ideas but in its hasty execution, fails to deliver almost any of them.
A relatively short excursion into the lives of Didi and her imaginary friend is ruined by an astounding number of bugs. While Contrast is worth completing for the sake of seeing the gorgeous scenery and hearing the exceptional soundtrack, don't expect to have any real burning desire to play this game again over the coming months.
The story, characters, and aesthetic are incredible and have the power to linger with the player after the credits roll but it's up to each player to decide whether or not getting to those credits is worth the headache of playing a game that feels unfinished.
Wonky physics and prosaic puzzles prevent Contrast from making the most of its intriguing concept and intoxicating atmosphere.
...the cheap feeling of the effort and downright tiresome nature of moving about makes it hard to recommend Contrast as worth your money.
PC owners get the raw end of the deal on Contrast, which goes for 15 bucks on Steam right now. It's really only worthwhile for PlayStation Plus members getting it as a free download, especially since it doesn't even feel like it was finished on time.
Contrast is underwhelming due to basic and unrefined platforming mechanics. The adventure fails to capitalize on strengths and the resulting experience falls flat.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.