Contradiction: Spot The Liar

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,711 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Contradiction: Spot The Liar Game Cover
Contradiction rebuilds the FMV genre in a smart, sensible way
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Contradiction: Spot The Liar is a unique murder mystery game that uses live-action video for gameplay. Players interview characters, spot their lies, and collect evidence to solve the case. The game offers a high level of playability, with smooth movement and constantly changing events in the game environment. Unfortunately, the Mac version of the game does not support Steam achievements or cloud saving.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Mobile Platform
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,711 reviews
story952 positive mentions
replayability14 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with interesting characters and a unique contradiction mechanic that keeps players invested.
  • High production quality for a small budget, with well-acted performances that add charm to the game.
  • Fun to play with friends or family, making it a great social experience.
  • Gameplay can become tedious due to repetitive backtracking and the need to ask every character about new clues.
  • Some contradictions are difficult to spot, and the game does not allow cross-referencing statements between different characters.
  • The ending feels rushed and leaves many plot threads unresolved, leading to disappointment for players hoping for a more satisfying conclusion.
  • story2,082 mentions

    The story of "Contradiction" is engaging and filled with intriguing twists, drawing players into a murder mystery set in a quirky British village. While the writing and acting are generally praised, many reviewers noted that the plot leaves several threads unresolved, hinting at potential for a sequel. Overall, the narrative is compelling, though some found the ending rushed and unsatisfying, detracting from an otherwise enjoyable experience.

    • “I felt hooked on the story the entire time, and wish it lasted longer!”
    • “The story is engaging and the acting really helps the overall quality.”
    • “The story was interesting and engrossing.”
    • “The menus are awful, progression is often arbitrary, many story threads are left completely hanging with no satisfactory conclusion and the big reveal comes out of nowhere with almost no buildup at all, a careening left turn from what's been foreshadowed at the literal last second.”
    • “The story was setting up a large plot with a few suspects but in the end they just said screw you and ended up with a childish mistake that was built up from mere jealousy.”
    • “Unfortunately the story had so many holes and unanswered aspects, that it just left me feeling underwhelmed and rather frustrated.”
  • gameplay702 mentions

    The gameplay primarily revolves around a unique contradiction-finding mechanic, where players interview characters and identify inconsistencies in their statements to progress the story. While the mechanics are simple and accessible, some players found the gameplay repetitive and occasionally frustrating due to the linear nature of the narrative and the need to revisit locations multiple times. Overall, the engaging story and campy acting help to elevate the experience, making it enjoyable for fans of mystery and interactive narrative games.

    • “The core mechanic of finding contradictions is also very fun and satisfying, if a little inconsistent in places.”
    • “The gameplay is unique and refreshing, and the acting and writing are top notch.”
    • “The contradiction mechanic led to some tricky puzzles as you keep an ear out ready to trip up the suspects in their own lies - but this created some fantastic 'a-ha!' moments when you catch them out!”
    • “The gameplay can get a bit repetitive as you have to go back and forth between locations many, many times as you uncover more information, and sometimes it's very not obvious what to do when you get stuck.”
    • “Gameplay is repetitive and time-wasting, a lot of travelling around just to see if anything has changed.”
    • “I wouldn't go so far as to call it a bad game, and the story might be interesting but I doubt I'll ever find out because it's just the most god-awfully boring gameplay.”
  • humor248 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by a mix of intentional and unintentional comedic moments, particularly through the over-the-top performances of the cast, especially the main character, Inspector Jenks. Players appreciate the campy, self-aware tone that balances the serious themes of the narrative, resulting in a charmingly funny experience that often leads to genuine laughter. While some acting may come off as cheesy or poorly executed, it adds to the overall enjoyment, making the game entertaining and engaging despite its flaws.

    • “The story is really serious, but Jenks adds a great amount of humor that seems to flow really well with the entire game without it seeming forced.”
    • “You'll be laughing so hard, you'll forget you're supposed to be solving a crime.”
    • “Contradiction is a game as charming as it is hilarious.”
    • “I know it sounds like it's obviously some sort of joke, but the writing is bad in places where it's not funny too.”
  • music242 mentions

    The music in the game has been widely praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the overall mood and immersion of the experience. Composed by Tim Follin, the soundtrack is noted for being both engaging and fitting for the game's mystery theme, with many players finding it relaxing and well-integrated into the gameplay. While some minor audio issues were mentioned, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and emotional depth.

    • “The background music sets the mood of wandering around in this small picturesque village with a touch of mystery really nicely.”
    • “The music makes it super atmospheric and eerie.”
    • “The music is spot-on for this type of game: slow-paced and atmospheric.”
    • “Natural, realistic ASMR. That said, there are sadly some audio issues in certain scenes (an echo, or a hissing/whistling noise) that the ambient music can't quite mask.”
    • “Not to mention the music volume control, that despite turning it completely off still bleeping deafened me every time it sprang up.”
    • “Overall, it's been a ton of fun and the only real qualm I have about it is sometimes the music got too loud... even when I had ambient music turned off so that it wouldn't echo in my chat with my friend.”
  • optimization216 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing issues such as video flickering, stuttering, and unresponsive controls, particularly on Mac systems. However, many users noted that once control settings were adjusted, the game ran smoothly, allowing them to enjoy the engaging performances and story without significant technical interruptions. Overall, while there are optimization concerns, the entertaining and often over-the-top performances by the cast help to elevate the experience.

    • “Contradiction is a fantastic game with some of the most memorable FMV performances, an intriguing plot line, and a solid central mechanic that revolves around spotting lies between the lines.”
    • “The performances by all of the actors are exquisite and really add to the overall charm of the experience.”
    • “Contradiction manages to complement a dark, complex murder mystery with campy performances and goofy self-awareness.”
    • “There's video flickering, stuttering, and there are spots where you literally can't click on anything or exit the screen.”
    • “Could be funny as a 'B movie' type of thing for a couple of minutes, but going through a full game seeing the same bad performance from start to finish is not really my idea of a good time.”
    • “In fact, Jenks is so excitably overanimated and the acting in general is so cheesy that it makes me wonder if it was an intentional directorial choice or if Follin actually thought his actors were delivering believable performances.”
  • atmosphere182 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, enhanced by a well-crafted setting in a quaint English village, atmospheric music, and strong acting that balances humor and seriousness. While some performances may come off as cheesy, they contribute to the overall charm and intrigue of the mystery. The combination of cinematography, sound design, and character development creates a captivating experience that resonates with players, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The atmosphere was fantastic; the twists of the stories got my heart racing, and the music and ambience were quite top-notch.”
    • “The engaging story and nicely developed atmosphere made for a highly immersive experience.”
    • “The setting feels genuinely eerie and tense without being heavy-handed, and the ominous atmosphere only built as the sun went down.”
    • “And while I did like the atmosphere at the start of the game, it was difficult to take the story seriously because the acting gets really cheesy at times.”
    • “I must say though, that the main character Detective Jenks and the bad guy Junior Ryan both super overplayed (probably actors in a theater, rather than TV actors) which sometimes created an atmosphere of a C movie.”
    • “The atmosphere, story, dialogue, and acting are a bit cliché for a detective game; having said that, the concept of looking for contradictions is very good.”
  • graphics88 mentions

    The game's graphics are praised for their unique use of full motion video, creating a lifelike and immersive experience that enhances the storytelling. While the visuals are generally appealing, some players reported glitches and issues with video quality, which detracted from the overall experience. The charming aesthetic of the village and the atmospheric sound design contribute positively to the game's visual appeal, making it a standout in the genre despite some technical shortcomings.

    • “I like the aesthetic, the sense of the village being a 'character' itself, the locations and camera angles are all great and visually appealing. The ambient background sounds, like the wind gently blowing while looking at the leaves on trees swaying, add to the experience. The background music sets the mood of wandering around in this small picturesque village with a touch of mystery really nicely.”
    • “Beautiful graphics; they look so lifelike!”
    • “This game is just pure splendid and has one of the best graphics I have seen in detective games like this.”
    • “Before you play this game, it's best to configure the game via the beta branch so that you play the legacy edition instead of the new version because it unfortunately glitches the graphics and, in the worst-case scenario, crashes your computer, leaving a blue screen.”
    • “The corny acting and pixelated, low-res video was jarring against the blocky 2D (or faux-3D) graphics of the era.”
    • “Sure, there were weird glitchy issues with the video flashing, and some of the aesthetics could border on community theater play at times.”
  • replayability72 mentions

    The game has been widely criticized for its lack of replayability, with many reviewers noting that once the story is completed, there is little incentive to play again due to its linear structure and absence of multiple endings. While the initial experience is engaging and well-executed, the consensus is that it offers minimal replay value, making it more of a one-time experience rather than a game to revisit. Players suggest that future installments could benefit from branching narratives and additional content to enhance replayability.

    • “While the replayability is extremely limited, it was a lot of fun.”
    • “Sure, it has little replay value once it is finished, but it is well written and acted, and once I started playing I just couldn't stop.”
    • “I could also see replay value in trying it again after some time, like The Wolf Among Us, and it would be a delight to share with friends and watch them try to unravel the mystery.”
    • “I'm unsure about the replayability; if the outcome is the same every time, I already know how the story goes.”
    • “There is zero replayability, but there seldom is in FMV games.”
    • “While the story is entertaining enough for that not to be a problem on the first playthrough, it does mean the game has next to no replayability value (for me, anyway).”
  • stability70 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of video glitches, crashes, and a generally buggy interface, particularly on Mac systems. While some players experienced minor issues that did not significantly disrupt gameplay, others faced game-breaking glitches and frustrating freezes that detracted from the overall experience. Despite these technical shortcomings, many still found the game enjoyable and worth playing, albeit with caution regarding its stability.

    • “I played the PC version, and once I understood how the interface worked, it was easy to play, had no glitches or game problems at all, and was just fun.”
    • “Before you play this game, it's best to configure the game via the beta branch so that you play the legacy edition instead of the new version because it unfortunately glitches the graphics and, in the worst-case scenario, crashes your computer, leaving a blue screen.”
    • “However, be aware that the Mac version is basically unusably buggy - it repeatedly crashed for me, and manually saving the game didn't work.”
    • “One tragic problem this game does have, however, is that it is horrifically buggy.”
  • grinding68 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, particularly due to repetitive tasks like asking the same questions to multiple characters and navigating the same locations frequently. While some appreciate the engaging story and character interactions, many feel that the gameplay becomes monotonous after several hours, detracting from the overall enjoyment. Despite these criticisms, some players still recommend the game for its intriguing narrative and character depth, suggesting that improvements could enhance the experience.

    • “But about halfway through it, maybe 6-7 hours in, it just became the most tedious thing in the world, going through the motions of - oh this person just told me something, I need to go ask everyone else about it for the 50th time.”
    • “The game is split up by hour of the evening and some events only trigger by visiting every area of the map again, which is very tedious.”
    • “However, walking up and down the same street asking the same few suspects about each item found became rather tedious and automatic, rather than requiring investigative inferential thinking.”
  • emotional16 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the characters, particularly the protagonist, Inspector Jenks, whose exaggerated expressions and interactions evoke both humor and depth. The narrative balances lighthearted moments with underlying tragedy, creating a rich emotional landscape that keeps players engaged and invested in the story. Despite some gameplay mechanics feeling disjointed, the heartfelt writing and cultural nuances enhance the overall emotional experience.

    • “I've developed an emotional attachment to Jenks.”
    • “I mean like, these in-game characters... I don’t know, it’s something really special about them and the way they act. It’s important to say here that they are all British, so it’s definitely a cultural thing - they are so emotional and sometimes you just can’t stop enjoying their expressions and the way they talk.”
    • “This made me feel sad that as fun as playing a detective solving a mystery can be, the story is still dealing with a tragedy.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game enhances the overall experience by integrating interactive elements, such as the detective and suspect physically handling clues, rather than relying solely on traditional voice-acted animations. This innovative approach reflects the developer's expertise in advertising and film, contributing positively to player engagement.

  • character development2 mentions

    The game is praised for its strong character development, which is complemented by an engrossing musical atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.

    • “A great game for character development and the music provides an engrossing atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
6-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 36 analyzed playthroughs

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