[This article was written using AI. You can read more about that process here: AI Writing]
Cocoon (played on Xbox Series X, Game Pass) is a mesmerising journey into a surreal, dreamlike world.
Developed by Jeppe Carlsen, the mind behind Inside and Limbo, this game takes the idea of ‘worlds within worlds’ to extraordinary heights. With its one-button mechanics and innovative puzzle design, Cocoon delivers a thoughtful and immersive experience, albeit one with its share of frustrations.
Cocoon lured me in with its simplicity. The game introduces its mechanics gently, almost imperceptibly, teaching you as you go without the need for heavy-handed tutorials. Orbs are the central mechanic – each representing its own world – and you’ll use them to interact with the environment, from unlocking paths to activating bridges. Every new concept is presented intuitively, making each solution feel like a small triumph.
That said, the one time I got stuck was, admittedly, my own fault. I had the right solution, but didn’t wait long enough for the inter-dimensional effect to take place. It’s a reminder that patience is as important as problem-solving in a game like this. Everything else flowed beautifully, with the puzzles leading me exactly where I needed to go.
The middle section of the game really grabbed me. Between 20% and 70% of my roughly four hour play time, I was in that much-discussed ‘zen-like’ state, moving seamlessly from one puzzle to the next. The learning curve is spot on, with clever puzzles that integrate beautifully into the environment. There were moments of real ingenuity – like sending orbs down tubes or dropping them mid-air – that made me smile at how inventive it all was.
But, as with many puzzles, repetition crept in. By the later stages, the mechanics started to feel more procedural. Too often, I found myself carrying orbs between switches, moving bridges, and unlocking the same kinds of gates. Even the final puzzle, which should have been a grand culmination of everything I’d learned, fell into this trap. Instead of a challenging finale or a satisfying reward for my efforts, it felt like a chore – retrieving objects and repeating actions I’d already mastered.
Still, it’s hard to stay frustrated when the game is so visually and aurally captivating. Cocoon feels like stepping into a dream, its worlds seamlessly transitioning in a way that’s almost Lynchian. The idea of transformation – of growth through layers – is mirrored not only in the visuals but also in the gameplay. The musical score deserves special mention, too. It’s the kind of soundtrack that elevates the experience, reinforcing your successes with subtle, positive cues.
That said, the silence when you’re stuck is deafening. Cocoon doesn’t offer any hints, which I respect – it’s an achievement to design a game so meticulously that it doesn’t need them. But the lack of feedback when you’re floundering can feel isolating.
If I’m nitpicking, it’s because Cocoon is such a polished experience that the minor missteps stand out. The game occasionally feels like it’s holding back, especially with some of its more dynamic ideas. For instance, puzzles involving timing or manipulating orbs mid-air are rare, but so satisfying when they appear. I would have loved to see more of that creativity in the later stages.
Despite these flaws, Cocoon is a game that lingers in your mind. The transformative journey, both literal and metaphorical, is its strongest element. While the closing moments didn’t quite deliver the triumphant finale I’d hoped for, the process of getting there was captivating. Perhaps, like the cocoon itself, the beauty lies not in the destination but in the unfolding along the way.