What parents need to know
Cocoon is a 3rd person puzzle adventure game in isometric view. The player character is a winged insect-like alien who wanders through a strange universe made up of organic and electronic elements that are reminiscent of the geometry of insect anatomy. The colourful and interactive environments adapt to the actions of the player, who must interact with different elements in order to solve puzzles. The different worlds seem to fit together like multiple distinct realities, giving a very dreamlike feel to the game. Each universe is contained in an orb that the character can carry on their back and use to solve puzzles, like a ball in a Rube Goldberg machine. Orbs and other spheres can also be used to power machines, move platforms, reveal secret passages, and open portals. As the adventure progresses, the player will have to explore different biomes, some more natural and others more industrial, all populated by flora, fauna and biomechanical machines.
Each level or biome features a final battle with a guardian, and each guardian must be outmaneuvered through a puzzle-related mechanic since the player is unarmed and has no inventory. Actions are very simple, both in and out of combat, usually limited to picking up and dropping spheres, pressing buttons, or activating a portal. The game offers a very simple mechanic that is accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.
Details
Level of experience required
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Combat is highly stylized and usually against biomechanical entities or machines. There is no blood, no identifiable modern weapons. By the way, the character can’t die, it’s just sent back to the beginning of the fight.
The only text is in the menu, there are no voices and no visual instructions on the screen that are not also represented by pictograms.
The mechanics are very simple, usually limited to a single action button and movement. There is no camera to control.
Local game modes
There is only the story mode.
Online Game Modes
There is no online game mode.
Expansions/Add-ons (DLC)
None yet.
Our opinion
Cocoon is a beautiful game in its simplicity. Everything works like a charm, the visual is pleasant and original and we marvel at the beauty of the details. The mechanics are minimalist, but everything is well-built and fluid. The game offers an interesting difficulty that allows us to progress quickly despite the challenges, which is encouraging. In itself, the game is more like a work of art that can be explored to admire the details. There’s no real narrative or challenging combat, so Cocoon is less aimed at players who are looking for these elements at all costs in a game. It’s a relaxing and interesting experience as well as an extraordinary visual work that deserves its place in our game library! By the way, if you’ve ever played Limbo or Inside, other indie games in the same genre, you’ll probably like Cocoon, since it was created by the same designer, Jeppe Carlsen. Cocoon is also reminiscent of other exploration and puzzle games published by Annapurna Interactive, such as Stray and What Remains of Edith Finch, for example, for those who enjoyed these games and are looking for other similar little treasures.
This game was offered to us for free for review purposes, but that doesn’t influence our opinion.
