Cocoon Evaluate (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 so as to clear up puzzles. At set factors in every stage, you’ll be able to leap out of 1 world and into the following, with the place you simply left contained inside an orb you’ll be able to carry in your again. It is tough to wrap your head round, nevertheless it makes much more sense in motion.

To begin with, you will enterprise by means of one stage, fixing environmental puzzles inside it. These embody transferring platforms utilizing switches, decreasing limitations, that type of factor. Ultimately, you will come to a checkpoint from which you’ll leap out of the world and into the following one up, so to talk. The extent you had 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’ll be able to hop again into that unique world after having solved extra puzzles within the latter stage. Ultimately, you will be coping with a number of orbs, carrying one into one other to finish beforehand unimaginable conundrums.

Not solely do these orbs include complete phases, they finally achieve talents. The primary, for instance, features the ability to point out invisible walkways, permitting you to achieve new areas. Every of those extra talents is after all tied into the puzzle design, and the sport finally ends up with a good quantity of layers you want to remember.

Whereas it sounds convoluted on paper, Cocoon is an extremely tightly designed recreation with a superbly 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 effectively you will barely discover, however new concepts are being launched to you proper as much as the tip of the journey. The result’s a puzzler that gives a constant problem, conserving you engaged however by no means making issues too tough.

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 pieces is positioned simply so, not losing any house. 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, preserve orbs inside different orbs to hold a couple of, and way more in addition to. There are a lot of moments all through Cocoon’s sub-10 hour runtime by which ranges have an effect on one another or hyperlink up in some unexpected manner, 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 must defeat. With no fight talents to talk of, these engagements are largely about evasion. Nonetheless, every battle has a easy and distinctive mechanic permitting you to battle 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 attempt. This resets progress within the battle, which is a contact irritating, particularly as the big bosses can generally obscure your view of your diminutive character.

Regardless of seeming difficult with orbs you’ll be able to leap out and in of, talents to remember, these uncommon fight encounters, and naturally the puzzles themselves, the complete recreation is performed utilizing simply the left stick and the X button. Retaining the controls so easy not solely makes it a really accessible expertise, it additionally means you’ll be able to deal with what’s in entrance of you. Pair that up with the minimalist presentation, and you’ve got a recreation that actually will get out of its personal manner. With no advanced controls to grasp and no HUD cluttering your view, it actually attracts you in, working hand-in-hand with the regular circulate 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 related. The graphical model right here is modern and easy, with daring colors and shapes making every alien panorama stand out. Accompanied by an ethereal, synth-based soundtrack, the sport does an important job of constructing you are feeling like a small half of a bigger universe.

The one factor we’ll say concerning the world of Cocoon is that, upon reaching the tip, we had been left with extra questions than solutions. Your entire recreation is freed from dialogue and textual content, leaving the storytelling as much as the atmosphere round you. Whereas it is actually 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 among the finest stage 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 finest.