You said "Puzzle games are your favorites". That's it. That's your problem. This is a puzzle game for people who hate puzzle games. Like me. I don't like being stuck for hours.
@@ronthorn3 I play games to relax. I don't want to think too much while playing. And closing off all the extra paths in Cocoon really helps to maintain the flow and make the game entertaining.
@@MegaKiri11 the worst bit is that it doesn't close off futile backtracking fully though. So, if you forget previous areas and you have 3 or 4 potential portals to use you can waste your time. That's why Inside was better - you only needed to go right and the obstacles were obvious, you just had to figure them out. With Cocoon the puzzles were mostly simple, but confused by not knowing what the puzzle was. I felt glad when I'd finished as it was like a walking/carrying sim with no fun gameplay. Everyone hates the bosses, but that was the only bit with actual gameplay. Not sure it's meant to be for people who hate puzzles.
I actually highly enjoyed the bosses. I was tired of all bosses in videogames being difficult because their bosses had short parry windows, large health pools and one shot kills. I enjoyed the bosses not for their difficulty but for the creativity of the developers. Being an incredibly novice and amateur gamedev I saw how creative and dynamic the bosses were for how they were designed and developed and whilst they weren’t difficult I always enjoyed their different styles of attack as they all felt unique.
LOL they were the only part with actual gameplay. One did get very annoying having to restart several times, but I was playing via Cloud and I literally couldn't see anything LOL, had to install. I only liked the boss battles.
It's a game from the creators of Inside and Limbo. So it provides very similar experience - more narrative focused than puzzle based. In general, I think it's a very good game with a good vibe and pace. The way mechanics works doesn't give player too much space for imagination (being finite state machine). On the contrary, I don't like puzzle games like Talos Principles or The Witness, because they have their momentum while you are playing them, but once you stuck on particularly hard level or just stopped for whatever reason - you don't have any motivation to return to them. It's not a game in the full sense, but just collection of test chambers. It feels like solving chess puzzles. The only game that nailed the balance between difficulty and story/aesthetic is, of course, Portal. But it's one of a kind.
@@goatlpsNarratives can be abstract and vague. I imagine they mean narrative in the sense that complicated puzzles or difficult combat isn’t the overriding focus, but this strange world and what’s happening in it.
I hated The Witness, but loved Cocoon. Probably mainly because I do not like open world games. I hate a sense of not having direction. Within a few minutes, you know exact what you need to do in Cocoon, you just have to figure out how to do it within the rules of the world. I felt hopeless in The Witness within a few hours. I had no idea of what to do next too often.
Yeah in comparison Cocoon feels like a 10x more polished experience. It’s honestly a testament to how well the mechanics are presented to the player and built upon that anyone would be able to play this game without getting stuck.
It's the lack of an obvious route and not being confronted with obvious puzzles that's Cocoon's weakness. Inside and Limbo only have one direction, right, being blocked with continual puzzles that were obviously puzzles, and that's why they're better, plus their SFX were incredibly real (Cocoon had great SFX, but generally other worldly, so not as impressive). I don't even remember solving puzzles in Cocoon, it's more route-finding by carrying a ball and putting it down, repeat.
Personally I play a puzzle game to appreciate creative logic from the developers. Just makes me happy. This game has that in spades, you feel like you’re learning a new language I don’t play to get stuck too much or to get flummoxed. But we all like different things so that’s good 😅
@@sullytheg they were creative but left a lot on the table. It's a bit like nintendo designing awesome movement for odyssey only to have the levels be comically easy and not require anything from the player
The main issue is that all the puzzles can be reduced to one form: They are always "order-of-operations" puzzles. Your movement through the world feels more like a ball traveling inside a Rube Goldberg machine. The path is windy and superficially complex, but ultimately reduceable to a straight line.
This game was directed by Jeppe Carlsen who also directed Inside. I think these kind of minimalist puzzles are their signature style where you never have to backtrack very far to get back to the right solution.
Not only do I disagree, but I think you are completely wrong. You're also not considering a lot of other points, as to why this game is being considered so good.
I do agree that the puzzles are not completely challenging though I do think your experience is the exception seeing from all the other reviews being that the puzzles were challenging enough. I think it mainly comes down to what you want from this game because it is not another insane puzzle game that will make you stuck on a single puzzle for like an hour and then you finally figure it out and that moment feels good. The puzzles really are there to showcase some great and interesting ideas while being extremely intuitive. Honestly I think the draw for its puzzles isn't to figure out what to do but how to do it. You are right when you enter the next the puzzle you have a good idea of where you need to start but the process of how to do it is in my opinion is where it gets interesting. Also the puzzles are one part of this game it is not the focus. The puzzles are supposed to combine with the visual and audio parts of the game to completely give you such a foreign world.
I liked the puzzles in cocoon, but mostly because I don't like puzzles (or more so I don't like puzzles that hinder progression or pacing). I found the puzzles in cocoon just interesting enough to be fresh, i also liked the way the puzzles were communicated entirely through gameplay, audio and visuals. I think if the puzzles had been more complex that may have distracted from the atmosphere of the game. I didn't have any expectations going in, the trailers and graphics weren't really selling it for me, but did pick it up due to the developers (big fan of INSIDE) and it was on steam special. I started playing it, and because the progression and pacing was so fast, and the way I was able to grok the mechanics so effortlessly, that really had me hooked (where Id have been more frustrated with more taxing puzzles preventing me from experiencing the levels and ambience). Anyway, I really liked it. Not quite as good as INSIDE (imo) , but I enjoyed more than LIMBO. Actually the game somewhat reminded me of SCORN (but fun) :) Thanks for the video.
Yupp I think that's a solid point about the pacing, and how it wasn't distracting from the world. The environment was probably the best part for me, and I wish I spent more time with it rather than focusing on the puzzles and progress since they didn't need the extra attention I gave them. I also like the comparison to Scorn haha. I've never played it, but know enough to get the vibe and honestly feel like you're right. I never would've thought of those two together.
Interesting to see I wasn’t the only one who thought it seemed like a friendly version of Scorn in some ways. It even have some of that H. R. Giger biomechanical vibe, just a cheerful version.
Hard to say myself since im a big puzzle fan, but other people seem to say so. Im still not sure who I would recommend it for though. I think it’s sort of randomly either a hit or a miss for people regardless of it you like puzzles or not.
I was glad went I finished it, because it seemed to just be a walking sim, and I didn't want to have to look for guides. It's more of finding where you need to go, and when you realise there's few actual puzzles. It's obviously quite simple because I got stuck on 89% till I realised the globes were worlds, and the other globes present were in the world of that globe - I didn't even realise till then, when I saw an orange ball inside the white globe, or whatever. Then you just have to know the white bullets use the globes like we use portals. Even different mechanics don't feel different, because there's no actual gameplay - that's why the bosses were a welcome change. Inside was better because you only had one way to go and an obvious puzzle to figure out (not always an obvious solution) - Cocoon is more about trying to find a route than solving puzzles. I never felt clever because it's more about spotting things. Definitely too short, with no gameplay, or replayabilty, to get all the "10/10!" reviews - no one will replay it - a 6/10 is being generous. Portal/2 this is not - that #Bramble looks good too?
I think the game looks very beautiful aesthetically, but it's probably not the type of game I prefer. I dropped it after about 1 hour because of its repetitive nature. Sure the puzzles are all clever and nicely crafted, but there's not enough variety in the gameplay and may I say in the world to motivate me to keep playing.
Just finished the game and I'm glad I found this video. I also had the game presented to me as a puzzle game and was disappointed by how much the game guides you and how easy the puzzles are. I did really love the game despite that, I was just let down by having expectations for more challenging puzzles. The visuals are genuinely stunning and the biomes, creatures, and technology are all alien and coherent in the same way Scavenger's Reign portrays its alien flora and fauna. Walking around the world was always enjoyable despite the puzzles being on the simpler side
I just finished the game and your take made me feel better about how I felt. If I hadn't seen all the hype since it came out, I think I would have liked it more. I would still recommend it to people that might like puzzles, but I suspect that people that are super into puzzles might not find it challenging enough. There were at least 2 or 3 moments where I said "Oh okay. That's pretty cool", which honestly is hard to do, but going through the motions (and the boss fights)...I just kinda wanted it to be over, which is sad because I truly think the game is better than how I feel about it at the moment. Maybe I'll rethink about it in a few months.
I felt it was a chore that somehow managed to seem too long, when it's obviously far too short. I can't see anyone replaying it, as it's mostly a walking ball delivery sim. Different mechanics feel no different because they don't alter or add real gameplay. It doesn't even feel like a puzzle game - more about route-finding by noticing new stuff. 10/10s are complete nonsense, even if I liked it - what would RDR2 score, 100/10? LOL!
If that really was your experience, then I can't deny that. But for me the boss fights were hard, the right level of hard, 5-10 good attempts, and while I didn't find the puzzles to be completely brain-breaking I took more like 6 hours to finish the game. If the puzzles were easy for you obviously they always would have been, but I think I enjoyed the experience because I went in with no expectations, having only vaguely remembered the trailer from june (gamesfest or something i dont remember). It was not a masterpiece comparable to Portal 2, Outer wilds, etc., and maybe the reviews gave you that expectation and so you were bound to disappointed. Or not idk. I would not say it is more of a walking simulator than a puzzle game, but the ratio would probably 60%-40%. It felt like, to me, a journey of exploration, and the moments of delight when I solved a puzzle were equally as important as the anticipation waiting to see what was around the next corner. Overall I really enjoyed the game and I would give it a 9, and I will remember the experience of playing it well. Good video tho and have a nice day :)
Super duper fair. I definitely went into it expecting more from the puzzle side, and although I still definitely think a lot of them are on the easier side especially compared to other maybe more "hardcore" puzzle games, I also think I just so happened to get lucky with a few of the harder ones which is a bit of a shame. I also just shouldn't have read reviews tbh haha (classic). I think I'd be in a much similar boat to you if I didn't. Overall I'm pretty happy to see positive reviews though, and hope they continue to explore new ideas like they did here, and I'll be ready to go in next time ready to chill out more, and enjoy the time :)
I totally get where you’re coming from but as someone who usually hates puzzle games (because I’m legitimately just not clever enough) Cocoon was that sweet spot where I only struggled in a few sections. I agree it’s more for aesthetic but I love those kinds of games
Thanks for the short and actually honest review! I'm working through this game in 30min sections on the Steam Deck. The game is a fantastic achievement, imo, but, I get where you're coming from. Although all games are effectively a series of teaching moments, these days, those moments are usually a little learning drowning in a bunch of other stuff (a rich story, with clever dialog, action, ...). This game is a more pure experience. Also because the devs gave themselves the constraint that nothing can be told to the player, it's very easy to assume that all the things you learned while playing...you knew coming in. But if the game started at the later areas, even you would have absolutely no idea what's going on or what to do 😂: It would be a purely bad game. You only found each step of the way to be straightforward because you were teaching yourself along the way (with the help of the game's design cues). I guess in a lot of ways, this is a throwback to NES games where those constraints were the norm: players had a game with a short instruction manual, but no voices, barely any words, and they needed to learn everything they needed to to get to the end. Definitely an acquired taste, esp from a modern gamers' perspective. Thanks again for the short/sweet/honest review!
Oh yeah, fun fact, this game just win the game of the year awards and that confusing me so much like how can a puzzle that can be too easy that can be done in a day won the game awards? Like there's a lot of good games and this is the one that picked?
Not counting mystery games that sometimes double as puzzle ones, id say portal, the talos principle, and then the witness which is my favorite if them all so far
@@MinnowStream I will see what Talos and The Witness are, and if Xbox. Bramble looks like it's possibly good, on Game Pass (as Cocoon is). I think puzzle games need a great story, especially for point & click, like Monkey Island, or just be cool, like Grim Fandango. I agree Portal/2 is top tier, as it feels like a game too. #Pikmin? RTS are sort of puzzles, like C&C, or Halo Wars. #VivaPinata? #Katamari? #DonkeyKong64? Resident Evil 4? LOL. I prefer games to have actual gameplay, with strategy and side puzzles. I got a 147 on an old Codemasters snooker game once - I'm claiming that LOL - proud moment.
I think this was an expectation issue. I try to go into most media blind so I can't say for sure, but I also love puzzle games but didn't find this to be lacking because I didn't really go into it thinking that way. When I learned it was made by the Limbo guys, everything made even more sense.
Honestly, I think you’re looking at it wrong. The puzzles are complex, but the mechanics are so easily understandable that solutions just roll off the mind. It’s got a great flow. I’m sure there are plenty of people that aren’t puzzle game enthusiasts that got stuck on multiple occassions. Especially in the finale puzzles. Now what it doesn’t have is replayablility, which is a problem with puzzle games in general. Once it’s solved it’s a lot less fulfilling to do it again.
It's a game that feels like a game. Like, take every single game design idea and go with the VERY FIRST thing that comes to your mind. That's what Cocoon is. It almost feels AI generated and then polished to perfection by real humans.
I commented this elsewhere, but it fits here just as well: I'm quite sure most people who say that the puzzles are too easy have played the game for less than an hour _(not your case of course)_. Some puzzles are simple, at first. The whole idea of the game is that you have a few tools and a few rules to keep in mind. These, however, are constantly shuffled around and it's up to you to find the most logical conclusion of how to piece it back together. Some moments were serious head scratchers for me. I got hopelessly stuck twice. When I got the solution I perceived as a true "eureka" moment, because once you understand the governing rule, and after that, how this rule relates to all other rules, only then it becomes simple. When you enter into the puzzle solving flow the effect is weirdly similar to the frenzy you enter while you play something like Doom Eternal. If you're "fresh" you keep solving puzzle after puzzle because you have all the rules in mind and you're shuffling them around as needed for the context in real time, which is similar to how you constantly change weapons, dodge and perform viscerals in Doom Eternal. Less like puzzle solving and more like "puzzle parkour". My only criticism is that the purple orb is underused. You only truly use it once, and then nevermore. At this point I'm hoping on a sequel.
I’ve played the whole game, and I can whole heartedly say the puzzles are not that difficult. I’m good at problem solving so I’m definitely biased, but I never struggled on what to do for more than 5 minutes really.
The boss fights are a huge accessibility barrier. I simply do not have the reaction time/movement ability for most games, which is why I stick to puzzlers (or just stuff that forgives slowness in general or has a useful options menu) so it felt kind of like a slap in the face that this beautiful, calm little "puzzle game" has mandatory action sections that can't be altered, opted out of, and can't even save your progress after each phase of the fight. I slogged through the fist few bosses (took me an insane amount of time, v frustrating) becase I thought the rest of the game would be worth it, but after a while I realised the "puzzles" weren't going to get any more complex or thought provoking, which was a huge shame because I'd had such high hopes for this game and, tbh, it was not cheap. Given that the puzzles are too easy for puzzle gamers and what you said about the boss fights being too easy for regular gamers, I honestly don't know who the target audience for this game is or why so many people seem to like it. I guess folks enjoy something to keep them busy while they look at the nice aesthetics?
Yep, I agree with a lot of that, and honestly think you’re right about the target audience really just focused on aesthetics and simplicity. I don’t get it either haha, but at least it seems to be introducing more people into the puzzle genre which hopefully leads to some better games coming out.
@@HiddenBush64 Yeah exactly! So you can imagine how frustrating it is, being able to clearly see and understand what you're expected to do to complete a boss fight (like you said, it's not like they're complex, I really don't think they're INTENDED to be difficult) and not being able to progress just because your goddamn hands can't operate a fuckin' controller fast enough? It's been a while since I touched Cocoon now but I still think it should like... at least have an Assist toggle that unlocks the level select right away or something. Accessibility options don't need to be complicated, they just need to exist.
Haha I think I know what you mean. I just finished the game too, I do think it is very linear and relatively simple if you are a very clever person and have a lot of experience in puzzle games. I saw you put The Witness at the opening, I am also a big fan of that game, that one is definitely much more difficult. That said, Cocoon also gave me 1 or 2 moments that I am proud that I solved the puzzle. To me, Cocoon is more like specialized in world design and "presentation" of the puzzle, rather than the puzzle itself and clearly not difficulty, just like the previous game of the same designer - "Inside". In that sense, I enjoyed it, and I also think the length of the game is just good enough, it can be a bad experience if it is 2 times longer. Some puzzle games are just too hard for me to enjoy, but it might suits your taste. Like "Baba Is You" and "Opus Magnum"
i'm currently playing cocoon right after talos principle 2 and yeah it has nice visuals but it's really meant for children or people new to games I believe
Was amazed how you bounced off this game but as you talked it over I can see your perspective. The creator of this made limbo and inside, neither are strictly puzzle games either. They are, and cocoon is, an experience in which strange worlds are explored and new concepts and game mechanics are used in clever ways. It seems you may have blitzed through the puzzles looking for a challenge rather than taking in the atmosphere and sound design. I'm curious whether you gave any thought as to how the world's worked together or what narrative (if any) was being conveyed. Perhaps these are of no interest to you as you are a clever puzzle guy who was looking for a challenge. You're definitely better at puzzles than me, I got stuck a few times near the end, but the noise I made when I worked it out was unreal.
I'm glad I got a free xbox game pass from a friend, otherwise I would've wasted my money on this on steam. I was charmed in the first 5 minutes like every other game, so much to learn, so much to know! I kept playing and playing, and it felt like I was just walking through obstacles to find a goal that is supposed to motivate me in the first place. What did I want? Gameplay? Story? I felt like I got neither... I was shocked to hear that this is from the same studio that made Limbo and Inside. I had no idea the reviews would lead me astray like this. It doesn't even feel like the game just "wasn't for me", it just feels... like nothing!
I agree with your assessment for perhaps the firs 2/3 of the game, but it does get a little more thinky at the end. Still, it's overall not as challenging or satisfying as I generally look for from a puzzle game. I think this genre really benefits from having a fairly straightforward main path, with really challenging side content for those who want to seek it. Because of the linear nature of Cocoon, they couldn't really go that route.
Review caught me off guard, But I completely agree. Ive finished FEZ and Animal well and not comparing games. But those are at whole other peak. Cocoon is a great experience but I wouldn't like it compared to those games or the other way around. Great video
Just finished it, it was incredible. Very creative and I *loved* the boss fights for all being very unique and fun. Visuals are amazing and I love the concept of spheres within spheres. I don't agree with your review here and that's fine. 10/10 from me
Wish the game peaked earlier. I think it was about 90-90% in when they finally used a mechanic that hurt my head to think about. Almost redeemed the earlier slogs of back tracking for orbs but not quite.
I was wondering why it won best indie game so I decided to play through it. When I got to the credits, I didn’t get much out of the experience. It’s a pretty game don’t get me wrong and the mechanics are thought out to perfection. I just felt bored through most of it, could be its was slightly too slow paced, the simple puzzles, or the nature of the story telling.
I think this is what I would call light puzzle game. A game that focuses on the feeling of discovery (for everyone, not puzzle veterans) and is very relaxing and aesthetic. It reminds me of Monument Valley more than anything else. I also think Portal is a pretty good comparison. I think the game is *excellent* for what it is, and I’ve often found ‘proper’ puzzle games frustrating myself. If I want a real puzzle I’d rather sit down and do some recreational programming. I can understand heavy puzzle fans finding it too light though.
I think you are right about it being more of a walking simulator. I agree with pretty much all your points. The general bio-mechanical machinations were all super cool but I started to feel it was just for show, as opposed to engaging with a wider world/story. It lacked a cohesiveness that would make it truly interesting. I think they had a great general concept for the game world and puzzles but didn't know how to flesh it out much beyond that initial concept. I also have played Tunic and think it's an actual masterpiece. I suggest playing Jusant, would be curious of your thoughts.
I loove Tunic! I played it earlier in 2023 and was hitting myself for not playing it sooner. Amazing game! Ive only played the demo of jusant and wasnt too into it, but it could be something I take a second look at
I agree with most of the points seeing you enjoy games like "The Witness" which I've heard is one of the most complex puzzle games. However what I enjoyed about Cocoon was the world experience and the puzzles which were the right amount of difficulty (for me). Congrats on starting your channel coming from someone who is finalizing their Cocoon review :). Keep up the good work.
I definitely get the sentiment and agree wholeheartedly. Cocoon is a great game, but it is a specific kind of game, less of a lateral thinking puzzle and more of an adventure. Many people before have commented similarly, but it’s very much like Limbo and Inside in how you can breeze through it super casually. Where you won’t get stumped and give up. It is a very linear experience. Still, even though it is “great”, you can feel that missed potential in not exploring all of the puzzle mechanics further. Once you reach the final set of puzzles that really push the mechanics into something truly worthy the game is over just like that. It is fascinating and strange, kinda like Cocoon itself. A really good game, but not the one deep down I wanted. Great video
That's because Cocoon isn't a puzzle focused game. If you played trying to get fun of the puzzles you probably won't get a lot, cause the main impact in the game is the world (worlds in this case) and the history behind him. The puzzles helps the player to get some thoughts about the interaction between the worlds and do a good job in making the player entertained too. You probably don't liked the game such as other player because you played expecting a new challenge in puzzles, wich of course it isn't
@@jmachero5852 because, resuming what the video said, the puzzles are weak. And I agree with that. Besides that, they have an interesting concept (the thing around the worlds and etc.).
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REASSURANCE! I thought I was going Mad Playing this game. I purchased the game this week and played it knowing little to nothing about it except that some of the people who worked on Inside and Limbo worked on this game, and it was highly praised and was called a Masterpiece. While I was playing it. After 90 minutes of playing, I realised I beat 51% of the game and in my mind I was thinking "is that what the game is all about? Just Object puzzles? Will I do the same for another 90 minutes?" I went to check on reviews for the game to hopefully know I'm not the only one that feels like this, but all I saw was overwhelming praise of the game and I thought I went Mad. I seriously consider refunding the game but decided to keep playing hoping something more interesting happens, and sadly it was more of the same, although some puzzles were interesting. The Music was forgettable, and the atmosphere was not there for me. Bosses felt like a nice break from doing the tedious puzzles, but that was it, spicing it up a bit before going back for more of the same. I felt so disappointed with Cocoon, the puzzles were more waste of time because you run back and forth than giving you an 'Aha!!' Moment. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like this. I think the game was just way overhyped. Thank you for the honest review, Please keep making more videos!
Before watching the video: This game IS a masterpiece. Period. So many wow-moments, so beautiful, something completely new. I'm currently 95% through this game on Game Pass and I'm going to buy it directly afterwards, just to support the devs. In the middle of the video: This game was for me the absolute right amount auf challange, I even had to look 2 puzzles up, and I'm for 6,5h in. I just don't play so many puzzle games and this was challanging enough and have the perfect length for me personally. After watching the video: Your impression ist completely okay. Maybe you expected too much though. I haven't read or listen to any reviews or watch any videos after the game came out. I just saw the initial trailer a couple of months ago, and I just heard that it should be good after the release. To be honest: This was one of the best experiences in this incredibly good gaming year. Nevertheless, thanks for your impressions and the video. It is quite interesting how opinions can differ.
You say I'm not good at games well I kind of doubt that's true. I like puzzle games but am not a gamer and found this game to be the perfect level of challenge. And for me the boss battles were not easy and in at least one case it took me a long time to get past a level. To each his own but I think you are not the target market for this brilliant masterpiece of a game.
Puzzle games are my favorite gaming genre and I'm loving this game. The puzzles are great but not very difficult. They're certainly not as good as the best games in the genre, but everything else is also really good. Except for the boss fights. Because I hate boss fights, which is one reason why I play puzzle games. Because I don't have great reflexes and hand/eye coordination. So it took me about a half an hour to beat the teleportation boss fight, and dying over and over again is very boring. I've been playing the game Bean and Nothingness for the past month or two, and it might have the best puzzles in any puzzle game. And it's really difficult. But everything else about it besides the puzzles isn't very good.
Although I really enjoyed the game, I understand and kind of agree with you. I liked the game because I like both extremely hard and easy games but it makes sense that if you dont like games as easy as this one you would find it boring.
I'm with you. I just don't think it's... that fun to play? Maybe it was just the walking speed... And it's a little ironic how this game is a "puzzle game for people who hate puzzle games"... and then the secret ending puzzles are so ridiculously obscure. Literally, most people will read this and go, "What do you mean? I found all the Moon Ancestors." It's like they slipped 6 pages of War and Peace and into a children's book.
I also wanted the end game to last a little longer but We must agree that the execution of the concept to game is top tier. I believe Cocoon feels easy because of the binary nature of its mechanics unlike Most puzzle games( Zelda, portal ,talos) which have flexible mechanics. I agree that the solution were not out of the box. But for some reason I like this better than games where I have to use trail and error for figuring out the solution.
I guess with the more binary style my only issue was the game keeping my attention throughout. I dont mind a more on rails experience, but for me the cool environment wasnt enough, and whatever story they were trying to tell through it and everything else wasn’t coming through to me. I like the end and all, but wish they threw more at me while i was playing. I do think they made the exact game they were going for though which is super respectable, and im hoping i latch onto their next release by going in with a different mindset
I just finished Cocoon and I wouldn't recommend it. Cocoon is not a puzzle game. It's a similar game to Limbo or Planet of Lana or Journey, which are all atmospheric platformers. These kinds of games have very simple puzzles but that's because they are about the journey or showcasing interesting visuals. The only part of Cocoon I liked was the part where you go through the huge doors and enter the green orb without needing the launchpad. That's the moment where I thought they started exploring the whole jumping into different worlds. There was also the white orb shooting into other orbs or into itself to trigger green columns to switch states. I think the base ide of jumping into an orb to place your second orb so you can then jump out to carry both orbs at the same time was very linear design.
Never say a game is too easy or the people that cry for easy modes for "accessibility", whatever their disability is to require such, will hunt you down.
I don’t think anyone would mind if you *personally* find a game too easy, but claiming that all games should be difficult or that all games should forgo accessebility settings they could include would be ableist yeah. Celeste is a good example of how to do this really well. It’s a difficult game at it’s heart, but you can turn on assistants to make it easier if the base game is too hard. Additionally: it also has extra challenges and levels that are much harder. Everybody wins! That said, there are probably games that fundamentally can lie in a single end of the difficulty spectrum. Cocoon is pretty easy and can’t really be made very hard because of the design and goal. There’s a bunch of games that are fundamentally difficult and that’s okay too.
@@torb-no This video, it's comments and everything else is the very example that people *do* mind if you say a game is too easy. Never say a game is easy. It's like calling fat people fat.
This game is definitely on the easier side for me. I was able to finish it in less than 4 hours and without looking up hints, whereas other harder games had me stuck for hours at a time. The puzzles were mostly straightforward. Only until the end did it pick up its difficulty, and that's where I really enjoyed it. At the beginning, I was pretty intrigued with the no-narration story-telling and was excited to see how the story unfold. But then the game ended kind of abruptly, leaving me wonder what was that all about. Overall, it's a game with stunning visuals but mid puzzles and an underwhelming story.
The concept and the artwork is really nice, but the boss fights were really boring. I got 100% completion on my first and only play through which was about 3 hours. The only part I found fun was making inception with the orbs and the last cinematic was really cool. Overall though, the difficulty of puzzles don't match the difficulty for the bosses of mini games.
Odd take. I thought it was fantastic. I might hear ya. I like dark souls and it’s like me saying Spider-Man 2 wasn’t hard enough. Both action games with fighting systems but totally different. I thought these puzzles hit a sweet spot. Few were very difficult. I did breeeze through most but this makes the game satisfying and not tortures. I was able to get through and not look anything up. So if you want a harder challenge to the secret ending it’s supposedly difficult.
This sounds like clickbait honestly. I have trouble buying that you found the puzzles that easy. I'm a big fan of puzzle games too and this one definitely forced me to think outside the box, several times. I guess that's subjective, but in any case what's clear is that no other game uses those mechanics. Some parts are pretty easy but it's just to force the player to keep or drop the necessary orbs for the next puzzles, otherwise there would be possibilities of softlocks everywhere. Actually it's pretty much a miracle this all works so well, so complaining about the linearity is unfair imo. Also, the bosses aren't difficult either but it's not an action game. They're simply a bit of icing on the cake to change the pace. For my part I found them as fun as the rest.
EVERYTHING hand holds nowadays from video games to TV to movies to driving down the street in your car. People have become fucking idiots. Standards are in the toilet
You said "Puzzle games are your favorites". That's it. That's your problem. This is a puzzle game for people who hate puzzle games. Like me. I don't like being stuck for hours.
Fair enough haha, I think thats true
Honestly this video is the worst take on this game I’ve seen
Huh? Makes absolutely no sense.
@@ronthorn3 I play games to relax. I don't want to think too much while playing. And closing off all the extra paths in Cocoon really helps to maintain the flow and make the game entertaining.
@@MegaKiri11 the worst bit is that it doesn't close off futile backtracking fully though. So, if you forget previous areas and you have 3 or 4 potential portals to use you can waste your time. That's why Inside was better - you only needed to go right and the obstacles were obvious, you just had to figure them out. With Cocoon the puzzles were mostly simple, but confused by not knowing what the puzzle was. I felt glad when I'd finished as it was like a walking/carrying sim with no fun gameplay. Everyone hates the bosses, but that was the only bit with actual gameplay.
Not sure it's meant to be for people who hate puzzles.
I actually highly enjoyed the bosses. I was tired of all bosses in videogames being difficult because their bosses had short parry windows, large health pools and one shot kills. I enjoyed the bosses not for their difficulty but for the creativity of the developers. Being an incredibly novice and amateur gamedev I saw how creative and dynamic the bosses were for how they were designed and developed and whilst they weren’t difficult I always enjoyed their different styles of attack as they all felt unique.
LOL they were the only part with actual gameplay. One did get very annoying having to restart several times, but I was playing via Cloud and I literally couldn't see anything LOL, had to install. I only liked the boss battles.
It's a game from the creators of Inside and Limbo. So it provides very similar experience - more narrative focused than puzzle based. In general, I think it's a very good game with a good vibe and pace. The way mechanics works doesn't give player too much space for imagination (being finite state machine).
On the contrary, I don't like puzzle games like Talos Principles or The Witness, because they have their momentum while you are playing them, but once you stuck on particularly hard level or just stopped for whatever reason - you don't have any motivation to return to them. It's not a game in the full sense, but just collection of test chambers. It feels like solving chess puzzles.
The only game that nailed the balance between difficulty and story/aesthetic is, of course, Portal. But it's one of a kind.
I don't think you know what "narrative" means if you're referring to Limbo, Inside, and Cocoon - or you have a very good imagination LOL.
@@goatlpsNarratives can be abstract and vague. I imagine they mean narrative in the sense that complicated puzzles or difficult combat isn’t the overriding focus, but this strange world and what’s happening in it.
I hated The Witness, but loved Cocoon.
Probably mainly because I do not like open world games. I hate a sense of not having direction. Within a few minutes, you know exact what you need to do in Cocoon, you just have to figure out how to do it within the rules of the world. I felt hopeless in The Witness within a few hours. I had no idea of what to do next too often.
Yeah in comparison Cocoon feels like a 10x more polished experience. It’s honestly a testament to how well the mechanics are presented to the player and built upon that anyone would be able to play this game without getting stuck.
It's the lack of an obvious route and not being confronted with obvious puzzles that's Cocoon's weakness. Inside and Limbo only have one direction, right, being blocked with continual puzzles that were obviously puzzles, and that's why they're better, plus their SFX were incredibly real (Cocoon had great SFX, but generally other worldly, so not as impressive). I don't even remember solving puzzles in Cocoon, it's more route-finding by carrying a ball and putting it down, repeat.
Personally I play a puzzle game to appreciate creative logic from the developers. Just makes me happy. This game has that in spades, you feel like you’re learning a new language
I don’t play to get stuck too much or to get flummoxed.
But we all like different things so that’s good 😅
Boss fights were creative. Puzzles were creative. This guy is looking for something else in this game
@@sullytheg they were creative but left a lot on the table. It's a bit like nintendo designing awesome movement for odyssey only to have the levels be comically easy and not require anything from the player
I don't think we played the same game, bro.
The main issue is that all the puzzles can be reduced to one form: They are always "order-of-operations" puzzles. Your movement through the world feels more like a ball traveling inside a Rube Goldberg machine. The path is windy and superficially complex, but ultimately reduceable to a straight line.
This game was directed by Jeppe Carlsen who also directed Inside. I think these kind of minimalist puzzles are their signature style where you never have to backtrack very far to get back to the right solution.
Not only do I disagree, but I think you are completely wrong. You're also not considering a lot of other points, as to why this game is being considered so good.
I do agree that the puzzles are not completely challenging though I do think your experience is the exception seeing from all the other reviews being that the puzzles were challenging enough. I think it mainly comes down to what you want from this game because it is not another insane puzzle game that will make you stuck on a single puzzle for like an hour and then you finally figure it out and that moment feels good. The puzzles really are there to showcase some great and interesting ideas while being extremely intuitive. Honestly I think the draw for its puzzles isn't to figure out what to do but how to do it. You are right when you enter the next the puzzle you have a good idea of where you need to start but the process of how to do it is in my opinion is where it gets interesting. Also the puzzles are one part of this game it is not the focus. The puzzles are supposed to combine with the visual and audio parts of the game to completely give you such a foreign world.
I liked the puzzles in cocoon, but mostly because I don't like puzzles (or more so I don't like puzzles that hinder progression or pacing). I found the puzzles in cocoon just interesting enough to be fresh, i also liked the way the puzzles were communicated entirely through gameplay, audio and visuals. I think if the puzzles had been more complex that may have distracted from the atmosphere of the game.
I didn't have any expectations going in, the trailers and graphics weren't really selling it for me, but did pick it up due to the developers (big fan of INSIDE) and it was on steam special. I started playing it, and because the progression and pacing was so fast, and the way I was able to grok the mechanics so effortlessly, that really had me hooked (where Id have been more frustrated with more taxing puzzles preventing me from experiencing the levels and ambience).
Anyway, I really liked it. Not quite as good as INSIDE (imo) , but I enjoyed more than LIMBO. Actually the game somewhat reminded me of SCORN (but fun) :) Thanks for the video.
Yupp I think that's a solid point about the pacing, and how it wasn't distracting from the world. The environment was probably the best part for me, and I wish I spent more time with it rather than focusing on the puzzles and progress since they didn't need the extra attention I gave them. I also like the comparison to Scorn haha. I've never played it, but know enough to get the vibe and honestly feel like you're right. I never would've thought of those two together.
Interesting to see I wasn’t the only one who thought it seemed like a friendly version of Scorn in some ways. It even have some of that H. R. Giger biomechanical vibe, just a cheerful version.
is it fair to say this game is for ppl who don't usually enjoy puzzle games?
Hard to say myself since im a big puzzle fan, but other people seem to say so. Im still not sure who I would recommend it for though. I think it’s sort of randomly either a hit or a miss for people regardless of it you like puzzles or not.
If that were true it should've been all boss fights. Best bit.
No
I was glad went I finished it, because it seemed to just be a walking sim, and I didn't want to have to look for guides. It's more of finding where you need to go, and when you realise there's few actual puzzles. It's obviously quite simple because I got stuck on 89% till I realised the globes were worlds, and the other globes present were in the world of that globe - I didn't even realise till then, when I saw an orange ball inside the white globe, or whatever. Then you just have to know the white bullets use the globes like we use portals.
Even different mechanics don't feel different, because there's no actual gameplay - that's why the bosses were a welcome change. Inside was better because you only had one way to go and an obvious puzzle to figure out (not always an obvious solution) - Cocoon is more about trying to find a route than solving puzzles. I never felt clever because it's more about spotting things. Definitely too short, with no gameplay, or replayabilty, to get all the "10/10!" reviews - no one will replay it - a 6/10 is being generous. Portal/2 this is not - that #Bramble looks good too?
I think the game looks very beautiful aesthetically, but it's probably not the type of game I prefer. I dropped it after about 1 hour because of its repetitive nature. Sure the puzzles are all clever and nicely crafted, but there's not enough variety in the gameplay and may I say in the world to motivate me to keep playing.
Just finished the game and I'm glad I found this video. I also had the game presented to me as a puzzle game and was disappointed by how much the game guides you and how easy the puzzles are. I did really love the game despite that, I was just let down by having expectations for more challenging puzzles. The visuals are genuinely stunning and the biomes, creatures, and technology are all alien and coherent in the same way Scavenger's Reign portrays its alien flora and fauna. Walking around the world was always enjoyable despite the puzzles being on the simpler side
I just finished the game and your take made me feel better about how I felt. If I hadn't seen all the hype since it came out, I think I would have liked it more. I would still recommend it to people that might like puzzles, but I suspect that people that are super into puzzles might not find it challenging enough. There were at least 2 or 3 moments where I said "Oh okay. That's pretty cool", which honestly is hard to do, but going through the motions (and the boss fights)...I just kinda wanted it to be over, which is sad because I truly think the game is better than how I feel about it at the moment. Maybe I'll rethink about it in a few months.
I felt it was a chore that somehow managed to seem too long, when it's obviously far too short. I can't see anyone replaying it, as it's mostly a walking ball delivery sim. Different mechanics feel no different because they don't alter or add real gameplay. It doesn't even feel like a puzzle game - more about route-finding by noticing new stuff. 10/10s are complete nonsense, even if I liked it - what would RDR2 score, 100/10? LOL!
If that really was your experience, then I can't deny that. But for me the boss fights were hard, the right level of hard, 5-10 good attempts, and while I didn't find the puzzles to be completely brain-breaking I took more like 6 hours to finish the game. If the puzzles were easy for you obviously they always would have been, but I think I enjoyed the experience because I went in with no expectations, having only vaguely remembered the trailer from june (gamesfest or something i dont remember). It was not a masterpiece comparable to Portal 2, Outer wilds, etc., and maybe the reviews gave you that expectation and so you were bound to disappointed. Or not idk. I would not say it is more of a walking simulator than a puzzle game, but the ratio would probably 60%-40%.
It felt like, to me, a journey of exploration, and the moments of delight when I solved a puzzle were equally as important as the anticipation waiting to see what was around the next corner. Overall I really enjoyed the game and I would give it a 9, and I will remember the experience of playing it well. Good video tho and have a nice day :)
Super duper fair. I definitely went into it expecting more from the puzzle side, and although I still definitely think a lot of them are on the easier side especially compared to other maybe more "hardcore" puzzle games, I also think I just so happened to get lucky with a few of the harder ones which is a bit of a shame. I also just shouldn't have read reviews tbh haha (classic). I think I'd be in a much similar boat to you if I didn't. Overall I'm pretty happy to see positive reviews though, and hope they continue to explore new ideas like they did here, and I'll be ready to go in next time ready to chill out more, and enjoy the time :)
I totally get where you’re coming from but as someone who usually hates puzzle games (because I’m legitimately just not clever enough) Cocoon was that sweet spot where I only struggled in a few sections. I agree it’s more for aesthetic but I love those kinds of games
Children and players with little to no gaming experience DO exist. Not every game should be for hardcore puzzle veterans.
People who want to hear if a game is mindless and overly simplistic DO exist
Thanks for the short and actually honest review! I'm working through this game in 30min sections on the Steam Deck. The game is a fantastic achievement, imo, but, I get where you're coming from. Although all games are effectively a series of teaching moments, these days, those moments are usually a little learning drowning in a bunch of other stuff (a rich story, with clever dialog, action, ...). This game is a more pure experience. Also because the devs gave themselves the constraint that nothing can be told to the player, it's very easy to assume that all the things you learned while playing...you knew coming in. But if the game started at the later areas, even you would have absolutely no idea what's going on or what to do 😂: It would be a purely bad game. You only found each step of the way to be straightforward because you were teaching yourself along the way (with the help of the game's design cues). I guess in a lot of ways, this is a throwback to NES games where those constraints were the norm: players had a game with a short instruction manual, but no voices, barely any words, and they needed to learn everything they needed to to get to the end. Definitely an acquired taste, esp from a modern gamers' perspective. Thanks again for the short/sweet/honest review!
Oh yeah, fun fact, this game just win the game of the year awards and that confusing me so much like how can a puzzle that can be too easy that can be done in a day won the game awards? Like there's a lot of good games and this is the one that picked?
What was the first game, with the line?
The Witness
What would you call your top 3 favorite puzzle games?
Not counting mystery games that sometimes double as puzzle ones, id say portal, the talos principle, and then the witness which is my favorite if them all so far
Thanks. I agree, these are great games. I kinda share the same thoughts regarding Cocoon.
@@MinnowStream I will see what Talos and The Witness are, and if Xbox. Bramble looks like it's possibly good, on Game Pass (as Cocoon is). I think puzzle games need a great story, especially for point & click, like Monkey Island, or just be cool, like Grim Fandango. I agree Portal/2 is top tier, as it feels like a game too. #Pikmin? RTS are sort of puzzles, like C&C, or Halo Wars. #VivaPinata? #Katamari? #DonkeyKong64? Resident Evil 4? LOL. I prefer games to have actual gameplay, with strategy and side puzzles. I got a 147 on an old Codemasters snooker game once - I'm claiming that LOL - proud moment.
I think this was an expectation issue. I try to go into most media blind so I can't say for sure, but I also love puzzle games but didn't find this to be lacking because I didn't really go into it thinking that way.
When I learned it was made by the Limbo guys, everything made even more sense.
Should I play fez instead?
Honestly, I think you’re looking at it wrong. The puzzles are complex, but the mechanics are so easily understandable that solutions just roll off the mind. It’s got a great flow. I’m sure there are plenty of people that aren’t puzzle game enthusiasts that got stuck on multiple occassions. Especially in the finale puzzles. Now what it doesn’t have is replayablility, which is a problem with puzzle games in general. Once it’s solved it’s a lot less fulfilling to do it again.
It's a game that feels like a game.
Like, take every single game design idea and go with the VERY FIRST thing that comes to your mind. That's what Cocoon is. It almost feels AI generated and then polished to perfection by real humans.
I commented this elsewhere, but it fits here just as well:
I'm quite sure most people who say that the puzzles are too easy have played the game for less than an hour _(not your case of course)_. Some puzzles are simple, at first. The whole idea of the game is that you have a few tools and a few rules to keep in mind. These, however, are constantly shuffled around and it's up to you to find the most logical conclusion of how to piece it back together. Some moments were serious head scratchers for me. I got hopelessly stuck twice. When I got the solution I perceived as a true "eureka" moment, because once you understand the governing rule, and after that, how this rule relates to all other rules, only then it becomes simple. When you enter into the puzzle solving flow the effect is weirdly similar to the frenzy you enter while you play something like Doom Eternal. If you're "fresh" you keep solving puzzle after puzzle because you have all the rules in mind and you're shuffling them around as needed for the context in real time, which is similar to how you constantly change weapons, dodge and perform viscerals in Doom Eternal. Less like puzzle solving and more like "puzzle parkour".
My only criticism is that the purple orb is underused. You only truly use it once, and then nevermore. At this point I'm hoping on a sequel.
I’ve played the whole game, and I can whole heartedly say the puzzles are not that difficult. I’m good at problem solving so I’m definitely biased, but I never struggled on what to do for more than 5 minutes really.
The boss fights are a huge accessibility barrier. I simply do not have the reaction time/movement ability for most games, which is why I stick to puzzlers (or just stuff that forgives slowness in general or has a useful options menu) so it felt kind of like a slap in the face that this beautiful, calm little "puzzle game" has mandatory action sections that can't be altered, opted out of, and can't even save your progress after each phase of the fight.
I slogged through the fist few bosses (took me an insane amount of time, v frustrating) becase I thought the rest of the game would be worth it, but after a while I realised the "puzzles" weren't going to get any more complex or thought provoking, which was a huge shame because I'd had such high hopes for this game and, tbh, it was not cheap.
Given that the puzzles are too easy for puzzle gamers and what you said about the boss fights being too easy for regular gamers, I honestly don't know who the target audience for this game is or why so many people seem to like it. I guess folks enjoy something to keep them busy while they look at the nice aesthetics?
Yep, I agree with a lot of that, and honestly think you’re right about the target audience really just focused on aesthetics and simplicity. I don’t get it either haha, but at least it seems to be introducing more people into the puzzle genre which hopefully leads to some better games coming out.
You must be unable to use a controller because these bosses are not difficult in the slightest. My 9 year old sister could do them.
@@HiddenBush64 Yeah exactly! So you can imagine how frustrating it is, being able to clearly see and understand what you're expected to do to complete a boss fight (like you said, it's not like they're complex, I really don't think they're INTENDED to be difficult) and not being able to progress just because your goddamn hands can't operate a fuckin' controller fast enough?
It's been a while since I touched Cocoon now but I still think it should like... at least have an Assist toggle that unlocks the level select right away or something. Accessibility options don't need to be complicated, they just need to exist.
Haha I think I know what you mean. I just finished the game too, I do think it is very linear and relatively simple if you are a very clever person and have a lot of experience in puzzle games. I saw you put The Witness at the opening, I am also a big fan of that game, that one is definitely much more difficult. That said, Cocoon also gave me 1 or 2 moments that I am proud that I solved the puzzle.
To me, Cocoon is more like specialized in world design and "presentation" of the puzzle, rather than the puzzle itself and clearly not difficulty, just like the previous game of the same designer - "Inside". In that sense, I enjoyed it, and I also think the length of the game is just good enough, it can be a bad experience if it is 2 times longer.
Some puzzle games are just too hard for me to enjoy, but it might suits your taste. Like "Baba Is You" and "Opus Magnum"
I don't agree with your philosophy on puzzles at all , but it's cool to see a different perspective haha
i'm currently playing cocoon right after talos principle 2 and yeah it has nice visuals but it's really meant for children or people new to games I believe
Was amazed how you bounced off this game but as you talked it over I can see your perspective. The creator of this made limbo and inside, neither are strictly puzzle games either. They are, and cocoon is, an experience in which strange worlds are explored and new concepts and game mechanics are used in clever ways. It seems you may have blitzed through the puzzles looking for a challenge rather than taking in the atmosphere and sound design. I'm curious whether you gave any thought as to how the world's worked together or what narrative (if any) was being conveyed. Perhaps these are of no interest to you as you are a clever puzzle guy who was looking for a challenge. You're definitely better at puzzles than me, I got stuck a few times near the end, but the noise I made when I worked it out was unreal.
I'm glad I got a free xbox game pass from a friend, otherwise I would've wasted my money on this on steam. I was charmed in the first 5 minutes like every other game, so much to learn, so much to know! I kept playing and playing, and it felt like I was just walking through obstacles to find a goal that is supposed to motivate me in the first place. What did I want? Gameplay? Story? I felt like I got neither... I was shocked to hear that this is from the same studio that made Limbo and Inside. I had no idea the reviews would lead me astray like this. It doesn't even feel like the game just "wasn't for me", it just feels... like nothing!
I’m someone pretty new to puzzle games and I had a lot of fun because of that. But it did feel slightly linear and repetitive
I agree with your assessment for perhaps the firs 2/3 of the game, but it does get a little more thinky at the end. Still, it's overall not as challenging or satisfying as I generally look for from a puzzle game. I think this genre really benefits from having a fairly straightforward main path, with really challenging side content for those who want to seek it. Because of the linear nature of Cocoon, they couldn't really go that route.
Review caught me off guard, But I completely agree. Ive finished FEZ and Animal well and not comparing games. But those are at whole other peak.
Cocoon is a great experience but I wouldn't like it compared to those games or the other way around. Great video
This game runs smooth, looks stunning, has great character design and satisfying tactile feels. Too bad it’s not fun.
Puzzle games blow
Just finished it, it was incredible. Very creative and I *loved* the boss fights for all being very unique and fun. Visuals are amazing and I love the concept of spheres within spheres. I don't agree with your review here and that's fine. 10/10 from me
Wish the game peaked earlier. I think it was about 90-90% in when they finally used a mechanic that hurt my head to think about. Almost redeemed the earlier slogs of back tracking for orbs but not quite.
I was wondering why it won best indie game so I decided to play through it. When I got to the credits, I didn’t get much out of the experience. It’s a pretty game don’t get me wrong and the mechanics are thought out to perfection. I just felt bored through most of it, could be its was slightly too slow paced, the simple puzzles, or the nature of the story telling.
I think this is what I would call light puzzle game. A game that focuses on the feeling of discovery (for everyone, not puzzle veterans) and is very relaxing and aesthetic. It reminds me of Monument Valley more than anything else. I also think Portal is a pretty good comparison.
I think the game is *excellent* for what it is, and I’ve often found ‘proper’ puzzle games frustrating myself. If I want a real puzzle I’d rather sit down and do some recreational programming.
I can understand heavy puzzle fans finding it too light though.
I think you are right about it being more of a walking simulator. I agree with pretty much all your points. The general bio-mechanical machinations were all super cool but I started to feel it was just for show, as opposed to engaging with a wider world/story. It lacked a cohesiveness that would make it truly interesting. I think they had a great general concept for the game world and puzzles but didn't know how to flesh it out much beyond that initial concept.
I also have played Tunic and think it's an actual masterpiece. I suggest playing Jusant, would be curious of your thoughts.
I loove Tunic! I played it earlier in 2023 and was hitting myself for not playing it sooner. Amazing game! Ive only played the demo of jusant and wasnt too into it, but it could be something I take a second look at
I agree with most of the points seeing you enjoy games like "The Witness" which I've heard is one of the most complex puzzle games.
However what I enjoyed about Cocoon was the world experience and the puzzles which were the right amount of difficulty (for me).
Congrats on starting your channel coming from someone who is finalizing their Cocoon review :). Keep up the good work.
Hey, thanks! Best of luck with your video!!
If you are after a deep puzzle game play signalis i think you will love that game even though it's mostly like resident evil than a puzzle game 😊❤
Looks interesting, I’ll check that out!
Trust me you'll won't regret it 😌 💯
I definitely get the sentiment and agree wholeheartedly. Cocoon is a great game, but it is a specific kind of game, less of a lateral thinking puzzle and more of an adventure.
Many people before have commented similarly, but it’s very much like Limbo and Inside in how you can breeze through it super casually. Where you won’t get stumped and give up. It is a very linear experience.
Still, even though it is “great”, you can feel that missed potential in not exploring all of the puzzle mechanics further. Once you reach the final set of puzzles that really push the mechanics into something truly worthy the game is over just like that.
It is fascinating and strange, kinda like Cocoon itself. A really good game, but not the one deep down I wanted. Great video
That's because Cocoon isn't a puzzle focused game. If you played trying to get fun of the puzzles you probably won't get a lot, cause the main impact in the game is the world (worlds in this case) and the history behind him. The puzzles helps the player to get some thoughts about the interaction between the worlds and do a good job in making the player entertained too.
You probably don't liked the game such as other player because you played expecting a new challenge in puzzles, wich of course it isn't
P.S.: In my gameplay, I think "these puzzles are really easy" too
How is it not a puzzle focused game when it’s literally a puzzle adventure game.
@@jmachero5852 because, resuming what the video said, the puzzles are weak. And I agree with that.
Besides that, they have an interesting concept (the thing around the worlds and etc.).
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REASSURANCE!
I thought I was going Mad Playing this game. I purchased the game this week and played it knowing little to nothing about it except that some of the people who worked on Inside and Limbo worked on this game, and it was highly praised and was called a Masterpiece. While I was playing it. After 90 minutes of playing, I realised I beat 51% of the game and in my mind I was thinking "is that what the game is all about? Just Object puzzles? Will I do the same for another 90 minutes?" I went to check on reviews for the game to hopefully know I'm not the only one that feels like this, but all I saw was overwhelming praise of the game and I thought I went Mad. I seriously consider refunding the game but decided to keep playing hoping something more interesting happens, and sadly it was more of the same, although some puzzles were interesting. The Music was forgettable, and the atmosphere was not there for me. Bosses felt like a nice break from doing the tedious puzzles, but that was it, spicing it up a bit before going back for more of the same. I felt so disappointed with Cocoon, the puzzles were more waste of time because you run back and forth than giving you an 'Aha!!' Moment. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like this. I think the game was just way overhyped. Thank you for the honest review, Please keep making more videos!
Before watching the video:
This game IS a masterpiece. Period. So many wow-moments, so beautiful, something completely new. I'm currently 95% through this game on Game Pass and I'm going to buy it directly afterwards, just to support the devs.
In the middle of the video:
This game was for me the absolute right amount auf challange, I even had to look 2 puzzles up, and I'm for 6,5h in. I just don't play so many puzzle games and this was challanging enough and have the perfect length for me personally.
After watching the video:
Your impression ist completely okay. Maybe you expected too much though. I haven't read or listen to any reviews or watch any videos after the game came out. I just saw the initial trailer a couple of months ago, and I just heard that it should be good after the release. To be honest: This was one of the best experiences in this incredibly good gaming year.
Nevertheless, thanks for your impressions and the video. It is quite interesting how opinions can differ.
Well said 👍. I completed the game also and enjoyed the "Aha" moments of it.
You say I'm not good at games well I kind of doubt that's true. I like puzzle games but am not a gamer and found this game to be the perfect level of challenge. And for me the boss battles were not easy and in at least one case it took me a long time to get past a level. To each his own but I think you are not the target market for this brilliant masterpiece of a game.
Puzzle games are my favorite gaming genre and I'm loving this game. The puzzles are great but not very difficult. They're certainly not as good as the best games in the genre, but everything else is also really good. Except for the boss fights. Because I hate boss fights, which is one reason why I play puzzle games. Because I don't have great reflexes and hand/eye coordination. So it took me about a half an hour to beat the teleportation boss fight, and dying over and over again is very boring.
I've been playing the game Bean and Nothingness for the past month or two, and it might have the best puzzles in any puzzle game. And it's really difficult. But everything else about it besides the puzzles isn't very good.
Although I really enjoyed the game, I understand and kind of agree with you. I liked the game because I like both extremely hard and easy games but it makes sense that if you dont like games as easy as this one you would find it boring.
It was a nice game, but I agree, it wasn't much of a puzzle game.
I'm with you. I just don't think it's... that fun to play? Maybe it was just the walking speed... And it's a little ironic how this game is a "puzzle game for people who hate puzzle games"... and then the secret ending puzzles are so ridiculously obscure. Literally, most people will read this and go, "What do you mean? I found all the Moon Ancestors." It's like they slipped 6 pages of War and Peace and into a children's book.
I also wanted the end game to last a little longer but We must agree that the execution of the concept to game is top tier. I believe Cocoon feels easy because of the binary nature of its mechanics unlike Most puzzle games( Zelda, portal ,talos) which have flexible mechanics. I agree that the solution were not out of the box. But for some reason I like this better than games where I have to use trail and error for figuring out the solution.
I guess with the more binary style my only issue was the game keeping my attention throughout. I dont mind a more on rails experience, but for me the cool environment wasnt enough, and whatever story they were trying to tell through it and everything else wasn’t coming through to me. I like the end and all, but wish they threw more at me while i was playing. I do think they made the exact game they were going for though which is super respectable, and im hoping i latch onto their next release by going in with a different mindset
Sony PS1 has the best puzzle games, Devil Dice and Kula World
I just finished Cocoon and I wouldn't recommend it.
Cocoon is not a puzzle game. It's a similar game to Limbo or Planet of Lana or Journey, which are all atmospheric platformers. These kinds of games have very simple puzzles but that's because they are about the journey or showcasing interesting visuals.
The only part of Cocoon I liked was the part where you go through the huge doors and enter the green orb without needing the launchpad. That's the moment where I thought they started exploring the whole jumping into different worlds. There was also the white orb shooting into other orbs or into itself to trigger green columns to switch states.
I think the base ide of jumping into an orb to place your second orb so you can then jump out to carry both orbs at the same time was very linear design.
Never say a game is too easy or the people that cry for easy modes for "accessibility", whatever their disability is to require such, will hunt you down.
I don’t think anyone would mind if you *personally* find a game too easy, but claiming that all games should be difficult or that all games should forgo accessebility settings they could include would be ableist yeah.
Celeste is a good example of how to do this really well. It’s a difficult game at it’s heart, but you can turn on assistants to make it easier if the base game is too hard. Additionally: it also has extra challenges and levels that are much harder. Everybody wins!
That said, there are probably games that fundamentally can lie in a single end of the difficulty spectrum. Cocoon is pretty easy and can’t really be made very hard because of the design and goal. There’s a bunch of games that are fundamentally difficult and that’s okay too.
@@torb-no This video, it's comments and everything else is the very example that people *do* mind if you say a game is too easy. Never say a game is easy. It's like calling fat people fat.
@@belldrop7365 I'm not sure what the big problem is here. That people have different preferences for difficulty and they're expressing that?
@@torb-no You said it yourself, yet you can't see it. It's quite telling on how one sided the whole thing is.
This game is definitely on the easier side for me. I was able to finish it in less than 4 hours and without looking up hints, whereas other harder games had me stuck for hours at a time. The puzzles were mostly straightforward. Only until the end did it pick up its difficulty, and that's where I really enjoyed it.
At the beginning, I was pretty intrigued with the no-narration story-telling and was excited to see how the story unfold. But then the game ended kind of abruptly, leaving me wonder what was that all about.
Overall, it's a game with stunning visuals but mid puzzles and an underwhelming story.
I still can't believe this lost to Pizza Tower
I shed a tear watching that last night
Actually it won against pizza tower and people are TEARING THIS TO SHREDS OF ANGER
@@TomatoeDude pizza tower shits on cocoon so that's justified
The concept and the artwork is really nice, but the boss fights were really boring. I got 100% completion on my first and only play through which was about 3 hours. The only part I found fun was making inception with the orbs and the last cinematic was really cool. Overall though, the difficulty of puzzles don't match the difficulty for the bosses of mini games.
Odd take. I thought it was fantastic. I might hear ya. I like dark souls and it’s like me saying Spider-Man 2 wasn’t hard enough. Both action games with fighting systems but totally different. I thought these puzzles hit a sweet spot. Few were very difficult. I did breeeze through most but this makes the game satisfying and not tortures. I was able to get through and not look anything up. So if you want a harder challenge to the secret ending it’s supposedly difficult.
This reminds me of Monument Valley, a psudo-puzzle game in that its all about the art style, but the gameplay is almost nonexistent.
This sounds like clickbait honestly. I have trouble buying that you found the puzzles that easy. I'm a big fan of puzzle games too and this one definitely forced me to think outside the box, several times. I guess that's subjective, but in any case what's clear is that no other game uses those mechanics. Some parts are pretty easy but it's just to force the player to keep or drop the necessary orbs for the next puzzles, otherwise there would be possibilities of softlocks everywhere. Actually it's pretty much a miracle this all works so well, so complaining about the linearity is unfair imo.
Also, the bosses aren't difficult either but it's not an action game. They're simply a bit of icing on the cake to change the pace. For my part I found them as fun as the rest.
Welp you are the minority
It's a masterpiece and the puzzles were some of the best I've ever seen in a game.
Appreciate the honest review
👎🏻
skill issue
lmao no effort review
Get outta here man
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EVERYTHING hand holds nowadays from video games to TV to movies to driving down the street in your car. People have become fucking idiots. Standards are in the toilet