Reflux software brings us one of the most anticipated games for this 2022 on Xbox. Contempt the game that has hooked us since we learned of its existence 2 years ago thanks to its particular artistic section, is finally among us. The version analyzed is that of Xbox Series X, although it is also available on Xbox Series S, but not on Xbox One, which can only be enjoyed through xCloud. Are you ready for this adventure?
a terrifying aesthetic
the aesthetics of Contempt it’s really special and a fundamental part of his own identity. He drinks from two clear sources that inspire the disturbing world in which the action takes place:
one is Swiss H.R Giger. The well-known Swiss artist, architect and industrial designer is best known for his collaborations in the film world. Extraterrestrial (Ridley Scott1979) and all its saga, are inspired by its particular aesthetic. The xenomorph’s terrifying design introduced him to the world and elevated his fame by opening the doors to Hollywood for him. He has also collaborated on the films Poltergeist II (Brian Gibson1986) y Species (Roger Donaldson1995), which although they did not have the historical impact of Alien, were appreciated films. His creations have also been applied to the world of video gamesin this case two graphic adventures that we remember for their particular artistic direction such as dark seed (1992) y Dark Seed II (1995).
His other source of inspiration is Zdzislaw Beksiński, architect and artist of Polish origin. This one is identified with the surreautopianism and its paintings and drawings have a strong apocalyptic toneThat is. He is best known for his “fantastic” period, filled with disturbing imagery in a dark, surreal setting with detailed scenes of death, decay, skeletons, and grotesque, misshapen figures.
No doubt two influences that make Contempt a game with its own personality and with a truly crazy and nightmarish aesthetic.
Scorn: for puzzle lovers
The first thing to clarify is that ContemptThis is not a shooter or survival horror.. The game is a graphical puzzle-solving adventure. In it, we are thrown headlong without any text or audio into what appears to be a human being as part of a complex biomechanical world. He wakes up and, we understand, tries to understand.
The player’s initial bewilderment can be really high in those first few moments.. We don’t know what we’re looking for, nor do we have a starting point for a story. This may seem like a big mistake, it is actually a success. And it is that the player is in the same disoriented situation as the game character. We know the same as our character and we will have to find out everything about this strange world in which we find ourselves. The choice of the first-person camera results in this notion of identification with the character and his actions.
Discovering game mechanics and solving puzzles on how to move forward will be our task. In this sense, the game is “difficult” and just as we have no introduction to the story, there are no clues on how to use the controls of this strange world or how we can overcome a certain area. It’s because of it we will have to investigate, try to discover for ourselves how to overcome and join the pieces that end up solving the puzzle that allows us to continue.
The difficulty of some puzzles is high and will require observation and trial and error to figure out and put the pieces together.. It’s also not adjustable and there’s no way to add hints or hints to help us out. Therefore, the game can be somewhat difficult for anyone who does not usually play this type of title.
The “action” or shooter parts are limited, it’s a game that requires reflection and a certain calm. this pFor lovers of challenges and puzzles, it is a real delight that you will taste in this grotesque environment of Science fiction. Sometimes we can even avoid shooting and be stealthy, thus avoiding the problem.
Gameplay and controls
The controls are very simple and the character easy to handle. Something that can scare us while we are playing is that we do not see any save icon or game save options. However, the continue option, when starting the game, will take us back to the last point where we left the game.
The absence of cutscenes and save points or save warning icons is done to enhance this immersive aspect of the game. Everything is prepared to make you feel the experience Contempt.
Outstanding graphics and art direction
The graphics section grinds to a high, hitting 4k in the Series X and with rocky 60fps that will take us smoothly through these disturbing scenarios. It feels like a next-gen game.
The art direction and environment of the game are truly amazing and way above anything seen. The originality of this organic-mechanical world and its designs are fantastic and help to generate oppression, anguish and confusion and to immerse us even deeper in history. We note that this is a very worked aspect within the developer and a key element to distinguish itself from everything that exists on the market. it’s hard to compare Contempt without another video game and more so when their designs seem more typical of working for the cinema. For lovers of science fiction and horror, it will be a real pleasure on all levels.
The nightmarish aspect of the game, very organic and sometimes gory, does not make it suitable for all audiences and it will be convenient for the little ones in the house not to attend certain images.
Dark and grotesque sound section
The soundscape and FX go hand in hand with the graphics. And it is that they help to configure this strange and oppressive environment. In this case, it is worth highlighting the FX. Creaks, movement of objects and guttural sounds of creatures that will make our hair stand on end. Ring makes us feel that we are in something foreign to our reality everyday life and playing with headphones increases immersion exponentially.
The presence of music is rare and helps to provoke a feeling of insecurity and loneliness that the game transmits. It is instrumental music, with a predominance of the bass, very much in the style of the composer Hans Zimmer, to reinforce this component of grandeur and ignorance. This section may seem rare, but the truth is that it captures the spirit and the feelings that the game wants to convey.
Findings Contempt
Contempt shines with its own light and has elements that make it truly unique: its artistic conception, its absence of clues to guide us through the puzzles and the combination of factors that lead to total immersion, are its letter of introduction. It really has its own personality and is a game that brings a breath of fresh air to so many games that seem to be made with a “pattern” and in which things hardly vary from one another.
Yes, IThe high difficulty of some puzzles and their particular, raw aesthetics may not appeal to all tastes or palates and they can leave many players behind in their first minutes. Despite this, it continues to cause a certain fascination and manages to trap us in an attempt to make sense of the story. From the Xbox area we enjoyed the title a lot and we can’t stop recommending it. We also have it in Game Pass, which encourages you to try it and savor it serenely and appreciate all its qualities.
Contempt
39.99
Pro.
- Truly immersive sci-fi/horror setting
- Original and different game
- It smells like the next generation
Contra.
- High difficulty of some puzzles, like the first one, which can set you back
Passionate about science fiction in all its aspects. Player for over 30 years. xboxer at heart
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