VGChartz's Lee Mehr: "The allure of capturing a "Playdead-esque" appeal by imitators (Stela) or former employees now with their own studio (Somerville) is a fad that crops up now and again. Geometric Interactive's tightly-knit history suggested it'd take a similar path too, but despite sharing connective tissue – especially in its Indie Game™ presentation – the subtle shifts away from the past result in something more vibrant and memorable. It's not merely felt from a different camera perspective, but in how the recursive worlds-within-worlds concept breathes unique life into so many of your interactions as well. To manage this while sustaining such imagination ranks Cocoon among my favorite puzzle adventures of recent memory."
Between its innovative puzzles, impressive presentation, and undefeated vibes, Cocoon needs to be experienced on Xbox Game Pass and beyond.
The 2024 Game Developers Choice Awards finalists have been revealed, and it looks like the lands of Hyrule and Faerûn may be poised for an epic showdown—along with an adventure across worlds within worlds.
VGChartz's Evan Norris: "One of the best parts of any year is surveying the indie game landscape and finding those hidden gems and sleeper hits. For 2023, the voters zeroed in on the following five: Blasphemous 2, which elaborated on the grim action-adventure foundation of its predecessor; Cocoon, which captured the hearts of gamers with its mind-bending puzzles; Dredge, which deftly merged Lovecraftian horror with fishing simulation; Sea of Stars, which excelled in presentation and turn-based RPG mechanics; and, finally, Trine 5, which delivered the same rewarding puzzle-platforming gameplay that has defined the series for two generations."
