Cocoon, a new sci-fi puzzler from the designer behind Limbo and Inside, made its debut at the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase – and we're already intrigued.
In development at indie studio Geometric Interactive, and published by Annapurna Interactive, the world premiere trailer for Cocoon showed the winged protagonist emerging from a metallic cocoon before running around a futuristic map placing glowing orbs on censors and using other orbs to grapple upwards and onto objects. Check out the trailer, below:
According to the trailer's YouTube description, Cocoon "takes you on an adventure across worlds within worlds" and will see you mastering "world-leaping mechanics to unravel a cosmic mystery".
Cocoon's Steam page description provides even more details, revealing that that orb we see the protagonist carrying around contains each of the worlds you'll be visiting. The game's core mechanic will see you leaping between these worlds, combining orbs and rearranging them to solve intricate puzzles.
But these orbs aren't simply for leaping between worlds, each has its own ability that can be unlocked and utilized in each of the worlds to solve even more puzzles. As you work your way through the game's unique and diverse biomes, you'll encounter "alien environments and biomechanical devices left behind by an ancient civilization" and discover how these biomes are connected.
This job is made more difficult by the guardians that protect each world and that you will have to go toe-to-toe with as you progress. "Each fight is unique and requires you to master new and satisfying mechanics," the Steam page description says.
Frankly, we were sold once we realized Jeppe Carlsen, the lead gameplay designer of Inside and Limbo, was on board. But we imagine that, given the dark nature of those games, Cocoon may prove to be somewhat less wholesome than the trailer insinuates.
Cocoon releases in 2023 for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC and will be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one.
