![Game of the Year: #10 - Cocoon 1](https://images.pushsquare.com/b6b5b746c962f/game-of-the-year-10-cocoon-1.900x.jpg)
Cocoon is one of those games that's hard to talk about without spoiling things, but it absolutely deserves a spot in our Game of the Year rundown, so we're gonna have to try. Spearheaded by Playdead alumnus Jeppe Carlsen, this excellent puzzle game carries much of that Limbo/Inside energy — reason enough alone you should pay attention. However, it makes itself distinct with its sci-fi leanings and, if you can believe it, even more focused design than either of those spiritual predecessors.
The main reason Cocoon is so good is because it doesn't waste a single moment. Everything in the game is informed by, and in service to, the puzzles. It's remarkably efficient and never wastes your time, showing you everything you need to make it through its strange, biomechanical world. At its core is an insanely clever concept; every level can be jumped in and out of, and when you zoom out of a stage, it's encased in a ball you can carry on your back. These orbs not only contain large environments to progress through, they also have unique abilities — and it's by hopping between these levels, bringing other levels with you, that you can solve an array of perfectly pitched puzzles.
Again, it's a tough game to explain in writing, but it's the exquisite puzzle and level design of Cocoon that impresses us the most. It's never too difficult, but never a walk in the park — each problem you come to presents you with something new, and it manages to satisfy from start to finish. Even the handful of boss encounters are well executed.
When you throw on top an ethereal electronic soundtrack, squeaky clean image quality, and a simple but attractive art style, you've got yourself a true banger. It's not just one of the year's best indies, or best puzzlers — it's one of the year's top games full stop. Just play it and thank us later.
Push Square's Game of the Year list is primarily decided by an internal staff vote. Our community Game of the Year poll is also taken into account. Feel free to agree or disagree with our list in the comments section below.
You can check out all of our Game of the Year coverage by clicking the link.
Do you agree with Cocoon being our #10 Game of the Year? (409 votes)
- It should be higher on the list
- Yeah, it's about right
- It shouldn't even be on the list
- I don't know / I haven't played it
Comments 17
An engineering marvel. An astounding work of art. A technical showcase. A standout example of the medium.
Just platinumed it this week. A wonderful little game, it's 5 hour length was about right for it's concept otherwise it ran the risk of either running out of ideas or getting too complicated.
I didn't like it much at all. 98% of its puzzles were basic to the point of boredom, and its central 'world-within-an-orb' mechanic just made doing anything mildly complex a chore. I can't recount how many times a was faced with a puzzle, figured the solution in 10 seconds, and spend 2 minutes putting the orbs in place, taking this orb out of that orb, grabbing the orb to take it with me, blah, blah. Got really tedious really fast.
I'd forgive its design if there was something else engaging. But the story is so obscured it may as well be non-existent. I guess the art direction was stellar — that's really the only thing I liked.
Absolutely fantastic title. I think that it’s wonderful at the #10 spot.
Can’t wait to see what Pushsquare places at first. Judging by staff lists, I almost feel like betting on RE4.
Looks like a cool game, I bet we get it on Essential sometime in the future.
I voted it “should be higher on the list” but it’s a tough year.
This was probably my game of the year. Many of the puzzle solutions had me thinking ‘I can’t believe I worked that out!’ and yet none of them were particularly obtuse. In other words it makes you feel really clever
@somnambulance It looks like Re4 will end up pretty high on the list which will be controversial since it's technically not new, I never played it before the remake so it's new to me and many others 🙂
@Juanalf I feel like it will be controversial if Pushsquare doesn’t GotY Baldur’s Gate 3 or Spider-Man 2 as most PS-based sites are doing, but, even if it’s not my personal pick for GotY, I’d rather see RE4 win. Whatever Pushsquare chooses, controversial or not though, at least it’ll be honest for the staff and that’s what matters.
Loved inside ,hated this nonsense, it bored me to death ,really couldn't be arsed with it
Game of the year for me.
Its exquisite and simply lovely
Definitely a dark horse; lots of folks haven’t played this, myself included. Pondering giving it a purchase on Switch; on sale right now…
10 is about right for this. I loved it for the very lite puzzling, bizarre ambiance and environmental storytelling.
This definitely isn’t for everyone but for a 5 hour plat it’s really tops. Highly recommended for anyone who that sounds even remotely good to.
Finally purchased and started this today. I couldn't put it down this afternoon - I absolutely love it. I'm about 80% through and just blown away. So happy to see it on this list. I need more short, satisfying experiences like this!
Amazing article, it whets the appetite and you have done a lot to put this game on the map.
Unfortunately, I have yet to try it.
A neat game with absolutely no soul
This is getting a lot of mentions in GOY podcasts, gonna have to give it a try, sounds intriguing & I do like a good puzzler!
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