Cocoon Evaluation (PS5) | Push Sq.

Geometric Interactive is led by alumni from Playdead, the studio behind Limbo and Inside, and you may actually inform. Its debut recreation, Cocoon, shares a lead gameplay designer in Jeppe Carlsen, and his experience shines by means of in considered one of this yr’s standout releases — indie or in any other case. With an ingenious idea fuelling its myriad puzzles, that is an extremely lean and compelling recreation from begin to end.

Cocoon is a puzzle journey by which you management a bug-like creature on a multi-world odyssey. Set in a collection of environments from alien deserts to biomechanical caverns, the sport has you hopping between them with the intention to clear up puzzles. At set factors in every degree, you possibly can leap out of 1 world and into the subsequent, with the place you simply left contained inside an orb you possibly can carry in your again. It is difficult to wrap your head round, but it surely makes much more sense in motion.

To begin with, you will enterprise by means of one stage, fixing environmental puzzles inside it. These embrace transferring platforms utilizing switches, decreasing boundaries, that kind of factor. Finally, you will come to a checkpoint from which you’ll be able to leap out of the world and into the subsequent one up, so to talk. The extent you have been simply inside is absolutely contained in a big marble, which you will then want to hold round as you discover this new space. Later, once more at set factors, you possibly can hop again into that unique world after having solved extra puzzles within the latter degree. Finally, you will be coping with a number of orbs, carrying one into one other to finish beforehand unimaginable conundrums.

Not solely do these orbs comprise entire levels, they finally achieve talents. The primary, for instance, positive aspects the ability to point out invisible walkways, permitting you to succeed in new areas. Every of those further talents is in fact tied into the puzzle design, and the sport finally ends up with a good quantity of layers you want to bear in mind.

Whereas it sounds convoluted on paper, Cocoon is an extremely tightly designed recreation with a wonderfully pitched issue curve. It begins you off gently, constructing as much as its core concept, then expands upon it little by little. It is executed so properly you will barely discover, however new concepts are being launched to you proper as much as the top of the journey. The result’s a puzzler that gives a constant problem, maintaining you engaged however by no means making issues too troublesome.

It is the best way these concepts and challenges combine collectively that is maybe most spectacular. As talked about, the extent and puzzle design on show right here is immaculate. Each sq. inch of the sport has objective — all the things is positioned simply so, not losing any area. Development is linear, however the best way every world interconnects with the others is so intelligent. You may use orb talents to open up different ranges, maintain orbs inside different orbs to hold multiple, and way more apart from. There are various moments all through Cocoon’s sub-10 hour runtime by which ranges have an effect on one another or hyperlink up in some unexpected means, and it is extremely gratifying.

Whereas the vast majority of the sport has you fixing these splendidly satisfying puzzles, it breaks issues up with a handful of boss battles. Every world is guarded by a big creature you will have to defeat. With no fight talents to talk of, these engagements are principally about evasion. Nevertheless, every battle has a easy and distinctive mechanic permitting you to struggle again. For instance, flying round on a sort-of jetpack ball earlier than dropping it in your enemy, or zooming into crystallised weak spots. If a boss hits you, you are flung from the world you are presently in, and might rapidly dive again in for an additional strive. This resets progress within the struggle, which is a contact irritating, particularly as the big bosses can typically obscure your view of your diminutive character.

Regardless of seeming difficult with orbs you possibly can soar out and in of, talents to bear in mind, these uncommon fight encounters, and naturally the puzzles themselves, your complete recreation is performed utilizing simply the left stick and the X button. Holding the controls so easy not solely makes it a really accessible expertise, it additionally means you possibly can concentrate on what’s in entrance of you. Pair that up with the minimalist presentation, and you’ve got a recreation that basically will get out of its personal means. With no complicated controls to grasp and no HUD cluttering your view, it actually attracts you in, working hand-in-hand with the regular stream of puzzles for a super-compelling expertise.

It helps that the worlds you are exploring are visually and sonically fascinating locations to be. Each has an imposing, mysterious vibe that’ll have you ever questioning how and why they’re linked. The graphical type right here is smooth and easy, with daring colors and shapes making every alien panorama stand out. Accompanied by an ethereal, synth-based soundtrack, the sport does an ideal job of creating you’re feeling like a small half of a bigger universe.

The one factor we’ll say relating to the world of Cocoon is that, upon reaching the top, we have been left with extra questions than solutions. Your complete recreation is freed from dialogue and textual content, leaving the storytelling as much as the atmosphere round you. Whereas it is definitely an intriguing place to discover, the sport leaves a number of issues unanswered. It is unusual — the story is in some methods tied up properly, however in others, it did not fairly scratch the itch.

Conclusion

In a yr filled with good video games, Cocoon manages to face out due to its distinctive mechanics and a few of the greatest degree and puzzle design we have seen in years. It holds your consideration with an intriguing sci-fi world, challenges you with puzzles spanning a number of worlds, and retains you hooked with accessible controls and minimalist presentation. With solely probably the most minor grievances holding it again, we’re assured in saying that is up there with 2023’s greatest.