COCOON
Genres: Puzzle, Sci-Fi, Atmospheric, Adventure
Play modes: singleplayer
Release Date: 29-9-2023
Developer: Geometric Interactive
Our verdict
9/10
- Difficulty: Medium
- Players: 1
- Playtime: 5–7 h
COCOON is a puzzle adventure from Jeppe Carlsen, lead gameplay designer of LIMBO and INSIDE. You play a small insect-like creature carrying glowing orbs that each contain a whole world, and you jump in and out of those worlds, even carrying one world inside another, to solve puzzles. There is no text or dialogue. It suits solo players who want a polished, wordless puzzler for a weekend.
Steam reviews are very positive (about 93% of 3,933). Players compare the feeling to playing Portal for the first time and say it makes them feel clever without being punishing. They praise the steady stream of new ideas and the calm atmosphere. Several finished it in one sitting of about five hours.
A minority found it too guided: the levels are linear and some say the puzzles amount to finding the right move rather than real deduction. It is short for its full price. If you love inventive puzzle design, it is one of the best of recent years; budget players can wait for a sale.
Pros
- Worlds-within-worlds orbs drive fresh puzzle ideas
- No text, the story is told through places and actions
- Fair difficulty curve that makes players feel clever
Cons
- Linear levels leave little room to explore
- Short for its full price
About
From Jeppe Carlsen, the lead gameplay designer of LIMBO and INSIDE — COCOON takes you on an adventure across worlds within worlds. Master world-leaping mechanics to unravel a cosmic mystery.
Worlds within Worlds
COCOON is a unique take on the puzzle adventure genre, where each world exists within an orb that you can carry on your back. Wrap your head around the core mechanic of leaping between worlds—and combine, manipulate, and rearrange them to solve intricate puzzles.
Alien Machinery
Interact with alien environments and biomechanical devices left behind by an ancient civilization. Journey through unique and diverse biomes, from industrial structures to massive organic caverns, and discover how they are connected to one another.
Orb Abilities
Each orb has an ability that can be unlocked, thereby turning the orb into a unique tool for you to utilize within other worlds. Use these abilities to uncover hidden pathways and objects, fire projectiles to trigger switches, and more.
Monstrous Guardians
Mighty guardians protect every world, and you must face them in fierce battles. Each fight is unique and requires you to master new and satisfying mechanics.
