title image

Contre Jour

Puzzle

Ratings

Age

4+

Category

Puzzle

Languages

English

Blurring the lines between games and interactive art, Contre Jour welcomes you to a world of light and darkness. Use your finger to morph the terrain, dragging the earth to roll Petit into the light. Utilize tentacles, bungees, and portals to solve complex physics puzzles across five unique worlds and 100 levels.

Dinsun Expert Review

Our Expert Score

94/100

Contre Jour is quite possibly the most beautiful game ever released on the App Store. It’s a masterclass in tactile level design. Instead of controlling the protagonist—a cute, cyclopean creature named Petit—you manipulate the world itself. You drag the ground to create hills and valleys, use elastic tendrils to swing across chasms, and interact with pulleys to move Petit toward the goal.

The aesthetic is clearly inspired by 'The Little Prince' and 'World of Goo,' featuring high-contrast silhouettes and glowing highlights. But the real star is the music. Composed by David Ari Leon, the piano-heavy soundtrack is so moving that it’s worth the price of admission alone. It creates a melancholic yet hopeful atmosphere that elevates the game from a mere puzzler to a work of interactive art. It is a mandatory experience for anyone who appreciates creative game design.

Dinsun reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Features

1

100 unique levels across 5 worlds

2

Stunning silhouette graphics

3

Incredible original piano soundtrack

4

Intuitive terrain-morphing controls

Tips & Walkthrough

Gameplays

Screenshot

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Q&A

While not required, headphones are highly recommended to fully appreciate the award-winning soundtrack.

Ratings & Reviews

App Store Editors’ Notes
Invalid Date

Beautiful brain candy
Sat Dec 10 2016 celinasirena

The music, simple black and white colors, and the simple yet critical thinking game all come together for a great and beautiful game. I'm surprised it isn't more popular. It's definitely worth the 99 cents.

Great
Sat Nov 04 2017 Sean1001

This game never got the recognition it deserved... if it did, they would have likely made many expansions like Cut the Rope. This game is very much on par, and better in many ways.

A Perfect Mix
Sun Aug 21 2016 Optimisam

This is such a relaxing and mentally stimulating game at the same time. The movements are so natural and the lovely soundtrack prevents the game from ever becoming too frustrating. This game is so simple yet so complex!

Great physics & style
Sat Jun 03 2017 panicrev555

The trick is to complete each puzzle with maximum points on the first shot. Totally doable but requires strategic analysis. A very satisfying experience with a chill vibe.

Best game!
Sat Jun 18 2016 Jerboss

Best IOS game I've played

Splendid title
Fri Dec 28 2012 Hhehhebebesyxjwoehfhxfke83&:$:$;$:&/

Everything about this game is fantastic. Get it right now, unless you have an iPhone 5, as it's not yet optimized for the new size of screen at the time of writing this. The visuals in this are like nothing I have ever seen. The soft and poetic black and white color scheme is amazingly beautiful, and with the occasional ethereal blue glow. It's graphics are unequaled on this platform. The the physics based puzzles are challenging, yet silk-smooth at the same time, with a varied set of levels. Each of the worlds brings a distinguished feel to their levels. This game really gets its peaceful feel from its French piano music. The songs give such a feeling of tranquility that you just want to keep listening all day (you can buy the tracks from iTunes). Overall, there is absolutely no game like this. When you first start playing it, you will never want to stop. This is the only game I've seen on this platform that truly deserves the perfect five-star rating that it enjoys. I implore you, buy this game right now. The makers of it certainly deserve the money. Another thing; all you people out there who rate this game less than five stars because of its lack of optimization for iPhone 5, you should know that the creators are probably working on it. The quality of the game hast been diminished at all from them not being done yet. So, this game doesn't deserve the 1-3 star ratings you guys are giving it out of impatience.

Beautiful, Stylish
Sat Sep 24 2011 The Fire Horse

Great visuals and puzzle variety. Think World of Goo meets Cut the Rope meets Angry Birds, and their offspring is something truly unique. It goes beyond the other three by combining solutions that require use of physics, timing, and multi-touch with a haunting atmosphere and sound track. It truly is an advancement in casual gaming! Stop thinking, get it now! Three comments... 1. Please pay your composer to write more than one piece. The music is nice and relaxing. It would be great to have more of it. 2. For those who like some time pressure, it might be a good option to show the time bonus running out. 3. IMO the game could build in difficulty quicker. I've played straight through to chapter 2 level 10 getting three stars on the first try almost every time. UPDATE: (raised to five star) after level 2-11, it gets much more challenging. Requires some trial and error. The levels in chapter 3 "The Machine" are a pure genius use of physics and multi-touch. P.S. There IS a universal HD version I bought this one before checking, and now have to buy it again for the iPad. (I don't feel bad about it though. They deserve the money.)

Beautiful
Wed Apr 11 2012 suivezmoi

One of the best apps I've played to date. The levels are beautifully made, and challenging. The controls are easy to master. It has wonderful tiny details (such as the noises the main character makes) that make you just fall in love with it. Also, the soundtrack is amazing. It sets the perfect mood, and would be good on its own. Some nights I turn on the game, just to listen to the music as I fall asleep. Overall, it's well worth the money, it's challenging enough that you won't blow through the levels; even if you are able to advance through all the worlds, you'll probably have missed some of the lights along the way.

Some Youtube Videos found!

News found!

Making Games and Breakdancing in the former USSR: The story of Contre JourMaking Games and Breakdancing in the former USSR: The story of Contre Jour

... Hryniv to his breakout hit, Contre Jour. "When I [began] it was like any other game that I created," Hryniv says. "But then I started to...

Polygon Fri May 29 2015

Microsoft Helps To Bring The Popular Mobile Game Contre Jour To The WebMicrosoft Helps To Bring The Popular Mobile Game Contre Jour To The Web

When the team first approached Contre Jour developer Maksym Hryniv, Gavin told me, Hryniv's response was that he didn't think his game could...

TechCrunch Mon Sep 29 2014

Contre Jour HD by Maksym HrynivContre Jour HD by Maksym Hryniv

Apple has named Contre Jour HD iPad Game of the Year in more than 10 countries across Europe and Asia in App Store Rewind 2011.

AppAdvice Thu Mar 29 2018

Guide MimpiGuide Mimpi

Maksym Hryniv. Contre Jour. Maksym Hryniv. Related news...

AppAdvice Sat Sep 29 2018

Bag It!Bag It!

TRIADA Studio. Contre Jour HD. Maksym Hryniv. Where's My Water? Disney. Recent apps to discover. Mercury Weather.

AppAdvice Sat Oct 29 2022

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