Cocoon
Developer: Geometric Interactive
The nature of indie games very often allows developers to explore concepts that larger publishing doesn't always lend itself to, for a variety of reasons. Indie and puzzle games often go hand in hand, as do indie games and unusual gameplay mechanics. Indeed, the three very often cross over. So what exactly makes Cocoon special?
Cocoon is a very simple game; at its core, it’s a top-down puzzler about moving spheres around. On paper, nothing out of the ordinary, but once you get into the game it more than proves itself a stand-out. Gameplay largely involves hitting switches, standing on platforms, and time-based events, but then it starts getting a bit trippy. You see, the world you're in is just one of many. You're able to enter the aforementioned spheres into a whole new world of puzzles that require a specific power for that world.
The further you progress, the more worlds you unlock, and the more powers. You also need those spheres. You're able to carry them around in the hub world, as well as into each other, creating a worlds-within-worlds scenario. When you exit a world, a marker is left on the sphere to show which worlds are inside it, so you can at least keep track of them. This 4-dimensional aspect of puzzle solving is used to great effect, as anything that comes into contact with the sphere, such as projectiles, enters that world in the same direction. This creates some wonderfully deep solutions to otherwise simple problems.
Puzzling aside, the controls are very simple. You only have movement and one button. But there are no instructions. From the outset, you're provided no tutorials or tool tips for how to interact; it's entirely up to the player to figure out how everything works. Certain elements are contextual, using that same button to perform different actions. There are also boss battles that test your reflexes. Though you're in no danger of harm at any point, there is the threat of having to start a multi-stage event again.
Graphically the game is very pretty. Each world has its own aesthetic, with vibrant colours and creatures. The whole vibe is polished simplicity. The same can be said of the music, which is beautifully composed. It plays into the background for the most part, ramping up in intensity for bosses.
Cocoon offers a moderately challenging trip that needs to be experienced. It’s a relatively short journey, but everything is well put together, and the mechanics are used to good effect.
