Without a single word, Cocoon takes players on an exhilarating cosmic journey with a small cicada-like creature. This unique video game, created by gameplay designer Jeppe Carlsen, known for his work on Limbo and Inside, offers a refreshing twist on the puzzle-platformer genre. While maintaining the familiar mechanics of Carlsen’s previous games, Cocoon introduces a new dimension that adds depth and complexity to its challenging puzzles.

The puzzles in Cocoon progressively build upon each other, incorporating mechanics from the very beginning and integrating them throughout the game. Despite the increasing complexity, the minimalist controls prevent the game from becoming overwhelming. As players advance, they are whisked away from the initial barren area and transported into a mechanical world where they encounter their first orb – an intriguing orange sphere that contains an entire desert world within it.

Carrying this orb allows players to power platforms, lifts, and various machines, enabling them to solve puzzles and progress further. The process of swapping between worlds and observing how each puzzle piece interacts with others is mesmerizing and captivating. Cocoon’s visual presentation is also strikingly beautiful, with vibrant color palettes that differentiate each world. From the warm sands of the orange orb-world to the alien textures of the purple one, each environment exudes its own distinct atmosphere.

As the game unfolds, the orb-worlds reveal special powers that unlock new paths, change the state of objects, and provide unique abilities to overcome previously unsolvable puzzles. This progression is reminiscent of Metroidvania games, creating a sense of exploration and discovery. Players find themselves navigating through multiple uniquely designed orb-worlds, with the only connection being the enigmatic alien technology that powers everything.

Each orb-world culminates in a boss fight, presenting a final puzzle and challenge specific to that world. Despite having only one button, Cocoon’s combat scenarios are intense and engaging. Figuring out the patterns of these bosses requires players to apply the knowledge gained through interaction with different objects, creating a rhythm game-like experience.

However, it is important to note that Cocoon is primarily a puzzler, and its challenging nature becomes apparent as players delve deeper into the game. Some puzzles may require trial and error, leading to moments of retracing steps and swapping between orbs repeatedly. While hints are subtly embedded in the level design, they do not explicitly reveal the solutions. At times, players might even question if they have accidentally broken a puzzle by misplacing objects. Nonetheless, perseverance pays off, and players will find their way through, sometimes discovering that seemingly off-course decisions were actually vital to the puzzle’s resolution.

Cocoon provides encouragement through musical cues and swells that intensify as players approach the solution. This adds to the sense of discovery and accomplishment when a puzzle is finally solved. Just as players may start feeling worn out by repeated paths, the game shifts from frustration to a Zen-like experience. New concepts and mechanics are introduced that eventually become second nature, transforming what was once a complete solution into a mere fragment of a larger puzzle. The lack of explicit guidance reinforces the notion that the cicada protagonist is driven by an unknown force to fulfill its role in the universe.

The later puzzles in Cocoon become even more complex, requiring players to adopt a new way of thinking and open their minds to unconventional solutions. Similar to the transformative experience of playing Portal, the ability to bounce between worlds and utilize the unique abilities of each orb opens up a whole new realm of possibilities. The simplicity of the controls and art style may mask the depth present in the game, but the seamless navigation between worlds and the ability to place a world within a world showcase the game’s ingenuity.

Despite its layered challenges, Cocoon is relatively short, with a playthrough averaging around five and a half hours. However, the game offers replay value through hidden collectibles called Moon Ancestors. These collectibles are cleverly concealed within each world, evoking a sense of intrigue as players search for them. Even finding just a few of these collectibles can be awe-inspiring, leaving players eager to return and uncover the rest.