COCOON

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,770 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
COCOON Game Cover
Cocoon is an exceptionally crafted, perfectly paced and highly polished experience that hits every beat. It's gaming perfection.
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"COCOON is a single-player Science Fiction Platformer game with excellent mechanics, beautiful visuals, and splendid music. Leap between worlds inside orbs, each with unique abilities, to unravel a cosmic mystery through diverse industrial and organic environments. The unique world-leaping mechanic and emotional narrative make for a highly grinding and memorable experience."

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Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,770 reviews
gameplay251 positive mentions
grinding64 negative mentions
  • Cocoon features stunning visuals and a unique art style that creates an immersive experience.
  • The puzzles are cleverly designed, providing satisfying 'aha!' moments without being overly difficult.
  • The game effectively teaches mechanics without any text or dialogue, allowing players to learn through exploration and experimentation.
  • The game is relatively short, typically taking around 4-6 hours to complete, which some players feel does not justify the price.
  • Many puzzles can feel straightforward and lack complexity, leading to a sense of tedium in execution.
  • The inclusion of boss fights feels out of place and can be frustrating, as they require quick reflexes rather than puzzle-solving skills.
  • gameplay775 mentions

    The gameplay of *Cocoon* is characterized by its innovative mechanics centered around manipulating orbs to navigate interconnected worlds, creating a unique puzzle-solving experience. Players appreciate the gradual introduction of mechanics, which build complexity and encourage creative thinking, although some find the puzzles to be on the easier side and wish for deeper exploration of certain mechanics. The game's stunning visuals and atmospheric design complement its gameplay, making it a captivating experience, despite some critiques regarding its length and the simplicity of certain challenges.

    • “Every aspect of its aesthetics and gameplay mechanics is meticulously crafted to create a harmonious experience that both captivates the senses and challenges the mind.”
    • “Cocoon excels in balancing its aesthetic and mechanical elements, ensuring that neither outshines the other.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics of Cocoon are just as thoughtfully designed as its appearance.”
    • “Maybe it shouldn't be as highly rated as it is - some of the mechanics that are introduced feel underdeveloped when their interactions and inner workings could be explored more, and the whole game is extremely easy (I rarely had to sit back and think hard to solve a puzzle, mostly just breezing through and doing the right thing on my first instinct).”
    • “The gameplay is nothing crazy.”
    • “I wish the game had focused a bit more on creating more complex or interesting puzzles to use the game's central mechanic.”
  • graphics559 mentions

    The graphics of *Cocoon* have been widely praised for their stunning and unique aesthetic, blending organic and surreal elements to create an immersive alien world. Reviewers highlight the game's beautiful art style, smooth animations, and atmospheric sound design, which together enhance the overall experience. While some mention minor glitches, the visuals are generally regarded as a standout feature that captivates players and complements the engaging puzzle mechanics.

    • “The visuals in Cocoon are absolutely stunning.”
    • “The graphics are outstanding and present an alien reality that is so captivating you'll want to explore it forever.”
    • “The art style seamlessly blends organic and surreal elements, bringing to life a world that feels simultaneously alien and familiar.”
    • “The graphics are stylized to not be too detailed, but they're alright to look at.”
    • “The music didn't interest me, the art style felt bland, and the puzzles were more tedious than challenging.”
    • “It's easy to miss that the puzzles are exceptionally mediocre given how lovely the aesthetic is.”
  • music315 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its stunning, atmospheric quality that enhances the overall experience, complementing the beautiful visuals and intricate puzzle design. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to provide subtle cues during gameplay, rewarding players with musical interludes upon solving puzzles, which adds to the immersive feel. While some found the music occasionally too ambient or low in volume, the majority agree that it effectively contributes to the game's enchanting and mysterious atmosphere.

    • “The music, the visuals, the control; everything feels right.”
    • “The soundtrack is one of the best soundtracks I’ve heard in a video game, rivaling Journey.”
    • “The atmosphere and art style is amazing, that and the music alone makes it worth it.”
    • “The sounds and music are way too low; even at 100% volume, I can barely hear anything.”
    • “Besides that, it's a very silent game, hardly any music except at key points like solving puzzles.”
    • “The music is very calm and has no intensity.”
  • story258 mentions

    The game's story is largely minimalistic and abstract, relying heavily on environmental storytelling and visual cues rather than traditional narrative elements. While some players appreciate the open-ended nature that allows for personal interpretation, many find the lack of a coherent plot or character development disappointing, leading to a sense of emptiness despite the engaging gameplay and stunning visuals. Overall, the story serves more as a backdrop to the puzzle mechanics, with varying opinions on its effectiveness and depth.

    • “The game tells its story through the gameplay mechanics, the environment, and sounds!”
    • “Beautiful, atmospheric, and weird, it tells a story without saying a single word.”
    • “The atmosphere, immersive storytelling, and artistic direction create a compelling experience.”
    • “The story is very minimalist, and with no dialogue to speak of, the narrative relies entirely on worldbuilding and its atmospheric soundtrack to convey the story.”
    • “The story is cryptic and non-existent, but the vibes are infinitely more positive than games like Limbo or Inside.”
    • “The story is some weird mushroom trip experience that makes little to no sense; it's one of those open to interpretation things.”
  • atmosphere216 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich, immersive environments, stunning visuals, and captivating sound design, creating a unique blend of alien and dreamlike qualities. Players appreciate the game's ability to convey emotion and narrative through its atmospheric elements rather than traditional storytelling, making exploration feel engaging and rewarding. Overall, the combination of beautiful art, ambient music, and thoughtful world design contributes to a mesmerizing experience that enhances the puzzle-solving gameplay.

    • “The environments are richly detailed, with each world offering its own distinct palette and atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is super captivating and makes you want to play the game for hours - I love the little worlds you enter, how puzzling the game can be at times, and the art style of this game is absolutely incredible!”
    • “The atmosphere, visual design, puzzles variety - everything works together so well that I can't even describe it.”
    • “The atmosphere is the only thing this game has going for it, and it does not save this game.”
    • “This game the downside was the world oozed atmosphere but I honestly had no clue what was going on half the time.”
    • “The only thing missing is the gripping atmosphere, as the game is a bit clean and distanced.”
  • grinding68 mentions

    The reviews indicate that while the game features creative puzzles, many players find the grinding aspect tedious, particularly due to excessive backtracking and repetitive orb manipulation. Some puzzles are described as easy but become monotonous over time, especially towards the end, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment. Overall, the game is best experienced in short bursts to avoid the fatigue associated with its more tedious elements.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “If you're the kind of person who cannot stop themselves from going for the true ending, then avoid this game. The true ending puzzles are some of the blandest and most tedious I've ever had the displeasure of playing through.”
    • “The grindy repetition of those dexterity puzzles, punishing me over and over again for getting tired of the thing and making mistakes at points I previously beat, completely killed the immersion for me.”
    • “Unfortunately, extremely tedious with lots and lots and lots of backtracking and overly long runs between the interactive bits.”
  • replayability28 mentions

    Overall, the game has very limited replayability, with many players noting that once the puzzles are solved, there is little incentive to play again. While some users mention minor replay value through collectibles or achievements, the short playtime and lack of post-game content make it less appealing for those seeking extended gameplay. Many recommend waiting for a sale before purchasing, as the experience may not justify the regular price.

    • “There's also some sidepath stuff for 100% collection, if you want some replay value.”
    • “I don't know that there's significant replay value in Cocoon, but I enjoyed the five or six hours I put into the game and would welcome DLC or a sequel.”
    • “Looking at the achievements, I missed six secrets on my first playthrough, so there is some replayability to find where those are if you missed them.”
    • “Given the short playtime and no real replay value, the regular price of $24.99 feels very steep.”
    • “The title is not replayable; once you’ve solved the puzzles, you’re done with it.”
    • “Unfortunately short and offers no post-game content, other than replayability.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game received mixed reviews, with some players feeling a strong sense of accomplishment and joy from solving puzzles, while others found it difficult to connect emotionally due to a lack of narrative depth and character development. Many appreciated the stunning visuals and creative design, but felt that the abstract nature of the game hindered emotional investment. Overall, while some players experienced a nostalgic and fulfilling journey, others felt detached and unengaged.

    • “Short game, finished it in under a day, but it was a good day because this game made me feel good and smart.”
    • “Not even half an hour in and I already want to cry of joy, please play it.”
    • “I'm still thinking about the environments and soundscapes after completing it all, and getting emotional.”
  • optimization11 mentions

    The game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting excellent performance and stability across various platforms, including mid-tier PCs and the Nintendo Switch. Reviewers noted a polished experience with no bugs or technical issues, contributing to a smooth gameplay experience that enhances the overall enjoyment.

    • “However, because it's breathtaking audiovisual, satisfying puzzle solutions, and great gameplay optimization (you play with move buttons and one action button), I can recommend every bit of it.”
    • “Not only does the game look good, but it also runs smoothly on mid-tier PCs, the Nintendo Switch, or, in my case, a Steam Deck.”
    • “I should also add: there were 0 bugs, technical issues, or performance issues throughout my entire playthrough.”
    • “So, I can't deny that the optimization of this title is up to standard.”
    • “These performance issues had no impact on gameplay.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some players reporting a polished experience with no bugs or glitches, while others encountered various glitches and bugs that detracted from the overall enjoyment. Despite these inconsistencies, many appreciate the game's aesthetic and mechanics.

    • “The game is very polished and completely bug-free.”
    • “It's clean and free of bugs.”
    • “The stability of the game is impressive, with no noticeable issues.”
    • “This is a very buggy game.”
    • “Buggy”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics and a really cool aesthetic, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by clever puzzle mechanics and unique artistic design that elicit genuine laughter and enjoyment without belittling the player. Many reviewers appreciate the lightheartedness and ingenuity that lead to moments of surprise and delight, while some find humor in the contrasting negative reviews. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with engaging gameplay, creating a joyful experience.

    • “The ingenuity on display made me laugh more than once.”
    • “I found myself consistently grinning and laughing as solutions clicked into place, thinking, 'Oh my god, they thought of that?'”
    • “Edit: The negative reviews for Cocoon are absolutely hilarious, clearly the type of people to stand in the corner of a party and hold that one drink all night XD.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the upcoming game "Cocoon" appears to focus on appealing to fans of Playdead's previous titles, "Limbo" and "Inside," suggesting a shift towards a puzzle-centric experience rather than a narrative platformer. This approach may indicate a reliance on established fan loyalty rather than innovative monetization practices.

    • “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, which ruins the experience.”
    • “It seems like the developers prioritize profit over player experience, leading to a frustrating gameplay environment.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is subtly integrated through its exceptional world-building and character design, allowing players to learn and grow without reliance on exposition or dialogue. The clever puzzle mechanics further enhance the experience, contributing to a rich and immersive narrative. Overall, the game excels in creating a captivating environment that fosters character growth organically.

    • “Fantastic game design, teaches you everything you need without exposition or dialogue, and has some truly beautiful puzzles, along with fantastic world building and interesting character design.”
    • “The world and character design are beautiful, the puzzle designs are clever, the audio design is excellent.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

87% average critic score

Buy COCOON

Play time

5hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
5-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 29 analyzed playthroughs

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