The Origins of COCOON's Perfect Puzzles
57COCOON is a mind-bendingly complex puzzle game which lets you explore worlds within worlds. But the entire game is controlled with just the left stick and a single button.
Learn about director Jeppe Carlsen's design philosophy and how he designed COCOON, one of the best puzzle games in years.
0:00 Intro
1:35 The Designer
2:50 The Seeds of COCOON
4:25 A Joystick and One Button
6:26 COCOON's Subtle Guidance
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/aug/02/COCOON-puzzle-playdead
https://www.pushsquare.com/features/interview-how-COCOON-melds-many-worlds-into-one-promising-game
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/28/arts/COCOON-geometric-jeppe-carlsen.html
https://premortem.games/2023/10/11/COCOON-creator-jeppe-carlsen-i-never-compromise-on-playability/
https://www.polygon.com/gaming/23901866/COCOON-puzzle-game-design-limbo-inside-playdead
Description:
In this video, we explore the captivating world of COCOON, a game that takes you on an awe-inspiring journey through multiple interconnected worlds. The premise may sound mind-bendingly complex, but COCOON stands out for its unique approach to game design, making it accessible and thoroughly enjoyable. How does COCOON work? The answer lies in the simplicity of the controls.
COOCOON's designer, Jeppe Carlsen, known for his work on titles like LIMBO and Inside, has a unique approach to game design. He values gameplay over complexity, and this philosophy shines through in COCOON. The entire game is controlled using just the left stick and a single button.
What makes COCOON exceptional is how it eases players into its intricate mechanics. The limited controls remove barriers between you and the game, allowing you to immerse yourself in COCOON's unique worlds and challenges.
Carlsen's puzzle design philosophy is centered on simplicity. While COCOON has its share of brain-teasers, it also features intentionally simple puzzles that serve various purposes, from conveying a theme to teaching you about new game mechanics. This make COCOON a masterpiece of puzzle game design.
Other Videos By Indie Game Oasis
| 2024-03-30 | Finally, someone made a worthy Mega Man Zero successor |
| 2024-03-08 | Why Pacific Drive is the Far Cry 2 of Survival Games |
| 2023-12-09 | The 10 BEST Indie Games You Missed (But Need To Play) |
| 2023-11-02 | The Talos Principle 2 is BETTER than 1. Here's Why |
| 2023-10-20 | The Origins of COCOON's Perfect Puzzles |
| 2023-09-29 | How an Indie Game Outsold EVERY Call of Duty | The History of Human Fall Flat |
| 2023-09-17 | The Rise and Fall of Unity, Gaming's Most Important Engine |
| 2023-07-01 | How Two Friends Created a Battlefield Killer | The History of BattleBit Remastered |
| 2023-06-16 | This Indie Game Fixes Pokémon's Problems | Cassette Beasts Review |
| 2023-03-17 | Chained Echoes - Chrono Trigger’s true successor? |
| 2023-02-17 | Why Pizza Tower Transcends Wario Land 4 |
| 2023-02-07 | Tinykin: From Pikmin-inspired Roguelike to 3D Platformer |