Contrast – Review (PC)

Contrast – Review (PC)

I could easily define Contrast in simple six words, Broken Jazz, Failing Circus, Mental Child But it is so much more than that. Contrast is one of those games which helps to rewrite the playbook as far as indie games are concerned. Much like original Portal it takes the rules of a preconceived genre and throws them out of the window.

To give a little context, Contrast is a game that blends 2D side-scrolling with world exploration. The conceit is that the player character is a shadow person, who can seemlessly switch between the real world and the shadow world at a whim. Effectively, that is a transition between 3D and 2D gameplay.

It is clear from the word go that you are not the protagonist of the actual story. In fact it is a little questionable as to whether or not you are a character at all. If I’m being a little too cryptic, you play as the imaginary friend of the little girl, Didi, who the narrative revolves around. The story makes it abundantly clear that you actions are more than likely a reflection of her own hyperactive imagination. As a result the player is presented with as an eerily supernatural being in what is, by all accounts, quite there serious story.

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The game is highly a highly stylised mock up of 1920’s noir culture. Each puzzle, level or even background plays out like a beautiful set piece. The shadow play of most of the puzzles creates an often striking pose and, as a lot of these dioramas are interactive you’ll find yourself rearranging them in a suitable, ‘gamey’ way. The player will often find that the dualism of light and dark is the key to solving each puzzle.

Despite it’s light-hearted, sometimes childish overtones the game does not shy away from some of the more brutal sides of human nature. I won’t spoil anything for you in terms of the actual story but there is without a doubt a rather chilling undercurrent to the events of the plot. Moreover it helps to layer the narrative, hinting that there is more at play than meets the eye.

Most indie side-scrollers have an overarching theme or gimmick to them. I’ve reviewed enough of them for this site to know that much. Depending on how interesting it is and its implementation, you’ll find that the title generally does better thanks to the inclusion of such. Tetrobot created a series of interesting and unique puzzles and let the players do the talking. Nihilumbra was a well designed game, but I thought it was dull. Poof made a bullet-hell side-scroller that kept me hooked for weeks. What I’m trying to say is that, of all of the games in this genre that I have reviewed I think that Contrast’s tropes are the most innovative. It is not an overly complex idea, but it evokes a sense of imagination that sets it apart from its contemporaries..

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If I was to criticise the game though, I would have to admit that it is a little to easy and a little too short. While the puzzles are doubtlessly imaginative spectacles, I was able to complete the game in a single sitting. While I definitely recommend it, it is not a game which you can spend an extended period of time with; it feels more like a brief fling than an extended romance.

Pros:

  • Every puzzle is a beautiful, well deigned, spectacle.
  • The narrative is, for the most part, deep and involving.
  • The character direction is something more writers should look at.

Cons:

  • The game is short, found myself wanting more.
  • Some of the puzzles are too easy.

Rating: 4 out of 5.
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