Although Cocoon includes boss fights within each orb, traditional combat is absent. Players must rely on interactions with the environment, such as utilizing water spouts or explosive mines, to defeat these bosses. Interestingly, the boss fights in Cocoon are forgiving, as a single “hit” merely ejects the player from the boss’s world rather than causing damage or death. This clever mechanic adds depth to the gameplay and prompts players to navigate back to the boss in order to finish the encounter. Successful completion of boss fights grants new powers, following the beloved Metroidvania style, enabling access to new areas and the discovery of additional orbs.
Throughout the demo, attendees encountered various environmental puzzles. Some challenges required determining the correct sequence for hitting switches, while others involved moving towers to open doors. A slightly more complex puzzle involved backtracking to uncover a hidden path. As the demo only showcased the beginning of the game, it is anticipated that the complexity of these puzzles will escalate significantly. By the end of the playthrough, players were already seamlessly moving between worlds to strategically position orbs for progression.
