When faced with a game of the Contrast level, for some reason you immediately begin to understand that it’s impossible to write about such things in the usual volume. This is an art that is understandable to most (we run, jump, solve not too complex puzzles), but that makes it even more ingenious. The main role in “Contrast” is given to the girl Didi, who copes with various puzzles along the way with the help of her imaginary friend Dawn, who is able to easily move from the world of light to the world of shadow, while transforming the space between 2D and 3D mechanics, interacting with other shadow reflections.
Plot and game world: this performance with transformations unfolds in an entertaining, touching story, children’s fantasies and magical adventures, while in a world of harsh intensity and adult problems. In Contrast you will discover the adult world through the eyes of a little girl. Girl named Didi. She was very brave, independent and loved adventure. You know, the type when parents leave their children alone in the room, wish them good dreams, turn off the lights and leave through the prism of the threshold. And the children? What children? Before going to bed, they want to have some more fun, enjoy the miracle… Unfortunately, the father left the family, and Didi lived alone with her mother. However, the little girl believed that one fine day her dad would definitely return. As often happens with children from disadvantaged families, Didi had an imaginary friend, with whom the girl spent all the time when she was alone, alone.
Mother disappears in the evenings while performing in a cabaret. Stepfather got involved with dangerous people trying to make some money. The owner of the house threatens to evict everyone for non-payment of debt. Parents are constantly on edge and quarreling. What should we do in this game when everyone around us is in conflict?? Right. Dawn, the main character, helps the girl restore order in her family.
Arrange a mother’s career, establish a stepfather’s circus attractions, reconcile them with each other and find a real father. Not to say that as we progress through the game, we acquire a new, second family, because there is very little time for this. But watching how and in what ways you give a child a smile is probably the most beautiful moments in the game.
Gameplay: The gameplay of Contrast https://slots-magic-casino.co.uk/login/ is based on the heroine’s ability to turn into a shadow, which allows her to interact with the game world in an unusual way. Namely through the silhouettes of objects and subjects.
It all comes down to solving simple puzzles, but not in a primitive way. Don can move between dimensions. In a world where you need to walk on the ground, she interacts with objects, moves boxes and directs light sources, distorting trajectories, level of shadow volume, distance and size, and then approaches a wall and… enters it, turning into a shadow, and now has to get used to platformer-style controls. The only thing she can interact with are the shadows of other objects. If you are consumed by a shadow, or if you fall out of sight, you will be pushed out of the world of shadows and walls. Therefore, a town in France from the 20s of the last century has a surreal look. Roads break off, lampposts and stairs take on different shapes, paths over abysses are made of things frozen in the air, there are no people, only their shadows live here. The world, of course, resembles together many different kinds of games and films. all these umbrellas, the barrel organ in the background – French dialect.
I would like to note the third act in the game, where in one of the tasks we will have to play the role of a princess who has to save her prince! The level itself turns into a stage and scenery from the same shadows. But it all looks just great. Because it’s based on the game Limbo. Just look, there is the same spider, abysses, traps, a dragon and even an ogre with a club. Plus, all this is emphasized by the correct sequence of your actions and increased complexity, just like in limbo. This level just warmed my heart on a cold autumn night.
In fact the gameplay is too easy. There are original puzzles, but their solution is obvious. Only one problem made me worry. Puzzles are well integrated into this action, diluted with Didi’s monologues and dialogues of adults, reading notes and searching for secrets. The passage takes about three hours, but on the way to the final revelation you won’t be bored, because the drama grows, and when you stop playing, look for the wind in the field. The game skillfully keeps the intrigue, making you believe that there is something more to it than a simple restoration of relations between parents.
Graphics and design: a magnificent color palette in combination with image filters stretches the image of a downloadable game to a decent level, Contrast has an artistic style and general atmosphere. The game has a unique atmosphere that combines features of vaudeville and film noir. In a story imbued with betrayal, jealousy, envy, heroes often have to make difficult decisions. The character designs are just as impressive. Puppet-like characters that are reminiscent of Grim Fandango mixed with Tim Burton art make this gaming assortment a cute one.
And I really like the long, slender legs of the main character: 3
Music and sounds: An exquisite soundtrack that perfectly fits the game and makes its atmosphere even more expressive, all this fun is set against the backdrop of a jazz soundtrack performed by real professional jazz singer Laura Ellis, who, incidentally, also played the role of Didi’s mother.
Verdict:
There are elements of special quality, but unfortunately those combinations in certain areas do not live up to their potential. The authors of Contrast went to great lengths to defend their concept on the commercial market: deliberately ignoring all the “good advice” (multiplayer, custom difficulty level, etc.). d.), they took all the risks just to make the game exactly the way it was invented. And they were right.
Story scenes are skillfully combined with original, albeit simple puzzles. There are some disadvantages, but not critical. I would like to note the weak physics, an incredible amount of freezes in hidden areas on levels where there are random shadow areas and similar puzzles. Or would that be a plus?.To. the child will be able to play this game until the very end. This will not stop your child from taking giant steps forward.
I think that’s all. The review has come to an end. Thank you all for your attention.
P.S. Let me remind you that Contrast was included in the launch lineup for PS4.
P.S.S PS4 users who subscribe to PS Plus will receive Contrast for free.