From simple to more complex

Cocoon is a third-person puzzle-solving game where you control a small humanoid beetle across multiple desolate worlds. It's very strange to describe this game in words because, when thinking about a little creature that looks like an insect and wanders through different worlds that have mystical and technological elements, I believe that, when reading my descriptions, the last thing you will imagine is that the game is relaxing – and that’s no small feat –. We will address this more calmly later...

Initially, I would like to start by talking about the game's gameplay, which, despite being extremely simple, is an essential point for the game to be what it is. The controls couldn't be easier, using the keyboard you can play with just one hand, using the standard keys to move (or arrow keys, or the “wasd” keys) and space as the interaction button. Only. No mouse is used and the camera doesn't even rotate. Despite this, it is a 3D platform game whose dimensions bring richness to the visuals and the quality of the game's puzzles. Overall, when you say it like this, it will seem extremely simple – and it is! – and even boring, but I can tell you that it’s not quite like that...



The visuals are very clean and pleasant and the sound of the game also follows the same pattern. The levels, especially at the beginning, are direct and simple, which keeps you in a constant progression, always introducing you to new mechanics little by little. It's a game that captivates you to continue, as everything happens in a very direct and satisfying way. At first, the puzzles will seem childish, but in less than 1 hour of playing the game you will already be immersed in different scenarios and comfortable with several new mechanics that are implemented carefully throughout the gameplay. The simplicity of the controls, coupled with the constant progression of levels, with new mechanics being added over time and frequent changes of scenery, all of this makes you find yourself in an addictive game that bombards you with new stimuli all the time.

Playing Cocoon was a different experience to what I'm used to finding in the games I usually play. It was a kind of captivating relaxation. Relaxation takes a hit as you progress, as the levels start to get more complex and you come to some puzzles that require time and reasoning. But still, for me it was a relaxing experience.



A playable ASMR?

Well, now let's break down the point I mentioned previously: the fact that the game is relaxing.

Starting with the visuals, I can say that everything that encompasses the game's art has a very pleasant aesthetic. The color palettes used in the different worlds, together with the textures, create scenarios and environments that are mysterious – so you have a little bit of a headache because you don't know what's going on – and, at the same time, pleasant and relaxing . Overall, the aesthetics of the game are very beautiful and make me feel very comfortable visually.

As for the sound, Cocoon follows the same idea as visual art: the effects and soundtracks are all very clean, with pleasant timbres that match the graphics: they cause the same feeling of mystery and relaxation. It is very satisfying to interact with the game's objects as there are always pleasant sound effects – it's almost like ASMR –.



Finally, another point that goes into the relaxation combo is the fact that the gameplay is very simple. In general, except when you have the “fights” – if I can call it that – with the level bosses, you just walk, so it doesn't require as much skill, reflex or agility. It's a game that you can easily play while lying down calmly.

Deeper into the gameplay

As you progress through the game, you will understand how the Cocoon levels work. You start from the simplest tasks – which may seem silly at first – which will act as a first step towards carrying out the more complex task. A path you use at the beginning to complete a small puzzle will probably be followed again to complete other larger puzzles in the future. This is all possible because of the incredible level design that the developers brought to Cocoon. The relationship that the game creates between the worlds and the game's progression is very interesting... It's almost mystical: you travel through different spaces with the help of a technology – which, in my opinion, seems somewhat alien – that can extract energy and/or powers from amber orbs, which you obtain in the worlds you visit. In other words, the game mixes natural and mystical energy coming from different cosmoses with technology (the energy of the instrument, technique and knowledge).

There is no denying that it is a deep and differentiated concept.



It is from this concept that the puzzles develop: each world provides you with an orb of a different color in which each one has different powers and energies. There are fittings made by this “alien” technology for these orbs and as you fit each type of orb, the technology responds in different ways. There will be levels in which you will need to travel between different worlds so that you can get new orbs and then actually progress in the puzzle.

Oh, I almost forgot... In Cocoon you will come across combat. In each world you are asked to fight bosses, which provide the amber orb. In general, they are not difficult fights and always require you to understand the enemy's attack pattern to be able to dodge and, at some point, be able to counterattack. In the end, it is noticeable that the focus of the game is not combat but rather puzzles, as the time you will spend fighting is very little compared to solving puzzles. In this context, I see that Geometric Interactive is very successful in being able to create different combats based on such simple controls, with just one interaction button. More than that, it also gets the combat dosage right, because, given that it has very simple gameplay, I believe it would get tiring if there was a lot of action that depended on its basic controls.



Ultimately, I see Cocoon as a game that is completely out of the ordinary, mixing an exotic concept with simple gameplay and excellent level design. The art of the game is incredible and makes you feel this mystical and mysterious conception that comes from the mix of different cosmoses with unknown technology. Overall, it's a deep and complex idea being executed excellently in a simple and beautiful way. I recommend it to all those who like puzzle games and who are looking for a pleasant, captivating experience that takes a little away from the action.

To create this review, Cocoon was played on the Xbox Game Pass platform on Windows (PC).