Contrast is a puzzle/platform game where you can move between a fantastic 3D world and a mysterious shadowy universe in 2D in the blink of an eye. Delve into a dreamlike and surreal 1920s world, inspired by the performance art world of vaudeville and film noir, and cradled by a smooth and sultry jazz ambiance.
A great hook falls foul of terrible bugs, inconsistent mechanics, and woeful performance issues.
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...
Frustrating glitches and a lack of polish dim the brightness of 'Contrast,' an otherwise brilliant indie title for the PlayStation 4.
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.
Like the shadows that inspire the game, Contrast just doesn't have much substance.
