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How to Ruin a Great Puzzle Game
These are my first impressions of the new puzzle game - Islands of Insight. For some strange reason, they decided to make it an MMO. This on top of randomly throwing too many puzzles in your face take away from what could have been (and might still be hidden underneath the clutter) a great puzzle game.
Sure, there may be the issues above and a lack of direction, but some of the puzzles really are worth fighting through it all for, and I'm hoping they refine what they have here, and something amazing rises from the ashes.
Orrrr idk, that one guy who made the Witness could just make a sequel, that would work too.
Anyways, I wanted to rant a lot about this game because it blew my mind that they actually went through with this wacky idea, but I actually have been enjoying it, so in the end I take it as a win. My hate comes from a place of love.
Music:
- Fatb x Flitz&Suppe - Dittany
- Watch: ua-cam.com/video/ZsUx77kY0H4/v-deo.html
- Download/Stream: fanlink.to/ConsciousEgo
- Goosetaf - Full of Heart
- Watch: ua-cam.com/video/EVy44HnKQKA/v-deo.html
- Download/Stream: fanlink.to/Latibule
- Phlocalyst x mell-ø x Akīn - Playgrounds
- Watch: ua-cam.com/video/78iSG5UsNjc/v-deo.html
- Download/Stream: fanlink.to/Relatives
^^^ All above: Provided by Lofi Records ^^^
#minnow #islandsofinsight #review #puzzlegame
Переглядів: 1 320

Відео

What I Made During My First Year as a Youtuber
Переглядів 1588 місяців тому
I go over my content, analytics, money, and what I learned from it all during my first year creating videos on UA-cam. It was a great year, and I was extremely happy to have shared it with everyone who follows the channel! Thank you! This video is a bit of a yap fest, but my hope is to share what my year creating content was like, and provide some insight for those looking to start doing the sa...
Creator's Cut -- I Tried Getting Addicted to World of Warcraft
Переглядів 1,2 тис.8 місяців тому
I talk about some behind the scenes ideas and thoughts regarding my video "I Tried Getting Addicted to World of Warcraft". This was a moment for me to chat more about topics I didn't get the chance to in my original video, and to hang out and relax with whoever wants to listen. This is a rough first iteration for the series, but I definitely want to make some more and hopefully improve, so let ...
My thoughts after 24 hours of Lego Fortnite
Переглядів 2 тис.9 місяців тому
I just finished playing way too much of this game, and wanted to talk a little about the game. In short, it was good for a bit and then started to drain my soul. Anyway, go watch my 24 hour video here: ua-cam.com/video/U4gAr9QmQ7I/v-deo.html&ab_channel=Minnow Use my Creator Code: MINNOWSTREAM And have a good stinkin day my friends! #minnow #legofortnite #review
Polygon’s TOP 50 GAMES of 2023
Переглядів 6610 місяців тому
I wanted to take a look at Polygon's top 50 games of 2023 to see what people have been liking this year! Although most of it was pretty basic, there were definitely some surprises in here which caught me off guard. Anyways, this was a more chill reflection through this year, and I'm curious if any you thought their list was missing something, or completely misplaced a game because I definitely ...
This game is BRUTAL to new players!!! (Lethal Company w/ Sample)
Переглядів 4710 місяців тому
You're going to die - that's just life working amongst lethal company. With a degree fresh out of space school, my dream was to become a contracted worker for the company. They said I'd have to reach daily quotas. That's no problem for a real go getter like myself. Plus, uncapped commission? Yes please! Traveling for work? Absolutely! Working alongside my friends? This is a dream come true! Wha...
I played 100% of The Talos Principle 2 and here's what I think
Переглядів 14 тис.11 місяців тому
Was The Talos Principle 2 worth the 9 year wait? Is it worthy of taking up ten times the amount of disk space as the first? I mean yeah, I think so. Overall pretty good stuff, and I'm really looking forward to what they do next! Frogs are people too. #minnow #talosprinciple2 #review
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is FANTASTIC!
Переглядів 57Рік тому
This game is amazing so far, and if you are at all slightly interested, you should definitely go play the demo! Rock and Stone fellas. #deeprockgalactic #deeprockgalacticsurvive #minnow
Cocoon’s reviews are all wrong...
Переглядів 7 тис.Рік тому
I just finished Cocoon, and wanted to give my spoiler free, unbiased thoughts on the game! If you have a thing for orbs, then this is right up your alley. I followed the hype, and was so ready to come out of this with a positive experience, but.... I didn't. Turns out I don't have a thing for orbs. It isn't necessarily bad, but it's so mid that I just simply don't understand all of the praise. ...
Viewfind something else to play -- Viewfinder
Переглядів 130Рік тому
I just finished playing through Viewfinder, and figured I'd share my quick thoughts on the game! Long story short, my socks are still firmly situated on my feet. If you're really looking to get a new puzzle game fix, then I'm thinking The Talos Principle 2 later this year is your best bet. Also, I hated the cat in this game - I'm sorry but it had to be said. I did like the watermelon guy though...
Don't play this game!! -- Kingdom Eighties
Переглядів 74Рік тому
I played through and wanted to share some quick thoughts on Kingdom Eighties. I love this series, and although had a great time booting up and playing this game, it got old too quick. As a short stand alone expansion, it was good, but I can't help but feel like it was missing a ton of elements that make their other games fun to play. The addition of jobs although neat felt useless, and the lack...
This is what OVER 1000 HOURS LOOKS LIKE in Overwatch 2 !!!
Переглядів 57Рік тому
I can't believe this is what over 1,000 hours looks like in Overwatch! It's insane, and I hope you enjoy! Holy cow, it's just so wild. I mean like dang, that's crazy. Wowee am I right? No...I'm not sorry. #overwatch2 #1000hours #minnow
i wanna go home - DREDGE (4)
Переглядів 20Рік тому
More dredgin and fish, what more could you ask for? #dredge #part4 #minnow
i'm scared of fish - DREDGE (3)
Переглядів 8Рік тому
Back in the world of fishing, except the fish are bigger now and apparently want to kill me? #dredge #minnow #part3
uh, that's not a blue mackerel - DREDGE (2)
Переглядів 8Рік тому
More glorious fishing and boating action. Holy moly is it getting wild out there! #dredge #minnow #part2
i like fish - DREDGE (1)
Переглядів 64Рік тому
i like fish - DREDGE (1)

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @Unbekannt-007-00
    @Unbekannt-007-00 14 днів тому

    What was the first game, with the line?

  • @Yagot
    @Yagot 25 днів тому

    Just finished the game and I'm glad I found this video. I also had the game presented to me as a puzzle game and was disappointed by how much the game guides you and how easy the puzzles are. I did really love the game despite that, I was just let down by having expectations for more challenging puzzles. The visuals are genuinely stunning and the biomes, creatures, and technology are all alien and coherent in the same way Scavenger's Reign portrays its alien flora and fauna. Walking around the world was always enjoyable despite the puzzles being on the simpler side

  • @نونيم-ي4ح
    @نونيم-ي4ح Місяць тому

    Would love to hear your thoughts on road to elysium they really upped the difficulty in the expansion.

  • @dappem42
    @dappem42 Місяць тому

    Was amazed how you bounced off this game but as you talked it over I can see your perspective. The creator of this made limbo and inside, neither are strictly puzzle games either. They are, and cocoon is, an experience in which strange worlds are explored and new concepts and game mechanics are used in clever ways. It seems you may have blitzed through the puzzles looking for a challenge rather than taking in the atmosphere and sound design. I'm curious whether you gave any thought as to how the world's worked together or what narrative (if any) was being conveyed. Perhaps these are of no interest to you as you are a clever puzzle guy who was looking for a challenge. You're definitely better at puzzles than me, I got stuck a few times near the end, but the noise I made when I worked it out was unreal.

  • @miguelautistic7409
    @miguelautistic7409 Місяць тому

    Oh yeah, fun fact, this game just win the game of the year awards and that confusing me so much like how can a puzzle that can be too easy that can be done in a day won the game awards? Like there's a lot of good games and this is the one that picked?

  • @Leviajohnson
    @Leviajohnson 2 місяці тому

    This game runs smooth, looks stunning, has great character design and satisfying tactile feels. Too bad it’s not fun.

  • @nickdibart
    @nickdibart 2 місяці тому

    The Talos Principle 2 is one of my favorite games, but I agree with all of your points. I'll also say that it became a little tedious getting around in a few of the levels, but there are some nice things to look at, so it's a minor issue. I recently played part 3 of the DLC and I can say that it is the most challenging of the bunch. A few of them had me stumped for a while, namely the puzzle "Hierarchy". It's well worth playing. Oh, and I also think the tetromino puzzles from the first game were far better than the annoying bridge puzzles.

  • @georgH
    @georgH 2 місяці тому

    Actually, I enjoyed it more than the first. And now the really hard puzzles in the dlc

  • @reecefarrar4005
    @reecefarrar4005 2 місяці тому

    I agree with everything said. It felt like i was flying through most of these puzzles when Talos 1 had me staring at the screen in disbelief.

  • @Maksudo
    @Maksudo 2 місяці тому

    Review caught me off guard, But I completely agree. Ive finished FEZ and Animal well and not comparing games. But those are at whole other peak. Cocoon is a great experience but I wouldn't like it compared to those games or the other way around. Great video

  • @JunJunMusume
    @JunJunMusume 2 місяці тому

    I'm playing through the game right now and I completely agree with you. While the game is still very good I liked the first one more.

  • @Seaoflife.
    @Seaoflife. 3 місяці тому

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REASSURANCE! I thought I was going Mad Playing this game. I purchased the game this week and played it knowing little to nothing about it except that some of the people who worked on Inside and Limbo worked on this game, and it was highly praised and was called a Masterpiece. While I was playing it. After 90 minutes of playing, I realised I beat 51% of the game and in my mind I was thinking "is that what the game is all about? Just Object puzzles? Will I do the same for another 90 minutes?" I went to check on reviews for the game to hopefully know I'm not the only one that feels like this, but all I saw was overwhelming praise of the game and I thought I went Mad. I seriously consider refunding the game but decided to keep playing hoping something more interesting happens, and sadly it was more of the same, although some puzzles were interesting. The Music was forgettable, and the atmosphere was not there for me. Bosses felt like a nice break from doing the tedious puzzles, but that was it, spicing it up a bit before going back for more of the same. I felt so disappointed with Cocoon, the puzzles were more waste of time because you run back and forth than giving you an 'Aha!!' Moment. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like this. I think the game was just way overhyped. Thank you for the honest review, Please keep making more videos!

  • @Eyedunno
    @Eyedunno 3 місяці тому

    The original game was better in almost every way. Much better story, better music, overall better puzzles (though Talos 2 is better in terms of accessibility--it's much more conscientiously structured), and the world is way less of a pain in the ass to get around. In some respects, the second game could not have been as good as the first game, and I knew that before it was even officially announced. The fact that the first game is set in a simulation allows for a level of immersion not possible in most games, where everything that happens (including glitches!) is explainable in terms of the lore and every ending is simultaneously a canon ending. So of course they couldn't have replicated that in a game set in the real world, but at the same time, eliminating death traps from puzzles while leaving death in other places was an absolutely baffling decision to me--you want to cut across this map while you're going through the tortuous paths pixel hunting for the thing you need for a star? Nuh-uh! Deep water, you drown and get a loading screen! And in terms of the lore, well, here's how the death is explained: it's a video game; pretend the death didn't happen and try again. 😊 Also, the science fiction aspect was worse to me as well. The first game was harder science fiction--pandemics, computer simulations, hydroelectric dams, even androids are much more plausible than the hand-wavy technology at the center of the sequel's story, and that hurt the sense of immersion for me as well. Again, it felt more like a typical video game. And this is gonna probably be an unpopular opinion, but the recorder mechanic in the first game blew my mind. It added a whole new dimension to the gameplay by effectively doubling the tools you have to work with, while also requiring you to think harder and plan out how you were going to use those extra tools. The clone mechanic they replaced it with almost completely eliminated that aspect of the recorder. I agree with a lot of people that the recorder could have been handled better--the PC version's fast-forward functionality is not mentioned in-game and requires you to dig through menus and map a key, and is not in the console versions at all, and that's a huge thing in terms of making the recorder less tedious to use. But they could have made that better in the sequel rather than removing that type of puzzle and that type of thought process altogether. In general, most of the new mechanics (driller, gravshifter) were kind of one-dimensional in terms of gameplay compared to the old-fashioned jammer and especially compared to connectors. There are certainly things that the sequel improved though: connectors are much, much better. Being able to keep connections wasn't well-documented in the PC version and wasn't even available on console, and being able to drop specific connections is also a huge quality-of-life improvement. Being able to reset completed puzzles was also great for people like me who like to test alternative solutions or just screw around inside puzzles. And the bridge puzzles, while still terrible, weren't as bad as the tetromino puzzles in the original game. But yeah, overall the first game is like a 9.5 out of 10 for me, while the sequel was like an 8.

  • @schlott1970
    @schlott1970 3 місяці тому

    Just finished it, it was incredible. Very creative and I *loved* the boss fights for all being very unique and fun. Visuals are amazing and I love the concept of spheres within spheres. I don't agree with your review here and that's fine. 10/10 from me

  • @Rpodnee
    @Rpodnee 3 місяці тому

    It's a masterpiece and the puzzles were some of the best I've ever seen in a game.

  • @itsalltwobits
    @itsalltwobits 3 місяці тому

    Hey, already play the dlc?

  • @colinjava8447
    @colinjava8447 3 місяці тому

    My main gripe was the story, I kinda just wanted to play the puzzles, listening to the dialogue got a bit boring.

  • @Illysi
    @Illysi 3 місяці тому

    I think the secret and golden puzzles were just right for me and also West-3 was a super cool area where the new mechanic it tries to introduce isn’t a tool but deconstructing your assumptions. Honestly I think I’ll struggle in the DLC but we’ll see this weekend

  • @SuperZippyzippy
    @SuperZippyzippy 4 місяці тому

    Puzzle games blow

  • @matthelion
    @matthelion 4 місяці тому

    Who’s the brobot in the thumbnail?

  • @jesustyronechrist2330
    @jesustyronechrist2330 4 місяці тому

    It's a game that feels like a game. Like, take every single game design idea and go with the VERY FIRST thing that comes to your mind. That's what Cocoon is. It almost feels AI generated and then polished to perfection by real humans.

  • @BL-mf3jp
    @BL-mf3jp 4 місяці тому

    The first game’s way better (mines aside). The atmosphere, the music, breaking outside the level for stars tying into the final decision of the plot, etc. the sequel had really cool puzzle ideas but it never developed them past the medium difficulty stage. Some of the gold puzzles like the mule and hollow were obnoxious, not fun to figure out either. The NPCs wouldn’t shut up, which was annoying.

  • @jasonwall1995
    @jasonwall1995 4 місяці тому

    I have so much respect for you for this amazing piece of artistic satire. Even though this is going to go over most peoples heads, the stuff that you are implying needed to be said .

  • @OHG_Fawx
    @OHG_Fawx 4 місяці тому

    I strongly agree with your opinion here. With so many new puzzle tools, it just never felt like we fully realized the potential here. We started with basics, worked up to intermediate, and then kind of fizzled out. Chasing the sprite was indeed stupid and even the late game puzzles still felt short. Like there was only one mechanic to work out to win instead of layers. I’m definitely hoping for DLC akin to the excellent Road to Gehenna from the first game. The puzzles there were incredibly fun and really pushed the creativity and mastery of the limited puzzle tools to the max.

  • @bodabodaguy3193
    @bodabodaguy3193 4 місяці тому

    Should I play fez instead?

  • @Pimpgamer101
    @Pimpgamer101 4 місяці тому

    Honestly, I think you’re looking at it wrong. The puzzles are complex, but the mechanics are so easily understandable that solutions just roll off the mind. It’s got a great flow. I’m sure there are plenty of people that aren’t puzzle game enthusiasts that got stuck on multiple occassions. Especially in the finale puzzles. Now what it doesn’t have is replayablility, which is a problem with puzzle games in general. Once it’s solved it’s a lot less fulfilling to do it again.

  • @elytron6758
    @elytron6758 4 місяці тому

    What is that robot in the thumbnail? Is it from something?

  • @techlabarthur
    @techlabarthur 5 місяців тому

    I'm with you. I just don't think it's... that fun to play? Maybe it was just the walking speed... And it's a little ironic how this game is a "puzzle game for people who hate puzzle games"... and then the secret ending puzzles are so ridiculously obscure. Literally, most people will read this and go, "What do you mean? I found all the Moon Ancestors." It's like they slipped 6 pages of War and Peace and into a children's book.

  • @uberjam-sam8512
    @uberjam-sam8512 5 місяців тому

    You say I'm not good at games well I kind of doubt that's true. I like puzzle games but am not a gamer and found this game to be the perfect level of challenge. And for me the boss battles were not easy and in at least one case it took me a long time to get past a level. To each his own but I think you are not the target market for this brilliant masterpiece of a game.

  • @LockwoodE3
    @LockwoodE3 6 місяців тому

    I totally get where you’re coming from but as someone who usually hates puzzle games (because I’m legitimately just not clever enough) Cocoon was that sweet spot where I only struggled in a few sections. I agree it’s more for aesthetic but I love those kinds of games

  • @MadeByClaudio
    @MadeByClaudio 6 місяців тому

    Wtf how did you complete this game in under 20 hours blind? Did you skip all the talking and reading or are you a genius who just figured out EVERY SINGLE PUZZLE without a struggle

  • @timpize8733
    @timpize8733 6 місяців тому

    This sounds like clickbait honestly. I have trouble buying that you found the puzzles that easy. I'm a big fan of puzzle games too and this one definitely forced me to think outside the box, several times. I guess that's subjective, but in any case what's clear is that no other game uses those mechanics. Some parts are pretty easy but it's just to force the player to keep or drop the necessary orbs for the next puzzles, otherwise there would be possibilities of softlocks everywhere. Actually it's pretty much a miracle this all works so well, so complaining about the linearity is unfair imo. Also, the bosses aren't difficult either but it's not an action game. They're simply a bit of icing on the cake to change the pace. For my part I found them as fun as the rest.

  • @julianself584
    @julianself584 6 місяців тому

    I also didn't enjoy Talos 2 as much as the originals. Then I went back and replayed The Talos Principle and The Road to Gehenna and now I'm having my second crack at Talos 2 and this time I'm loving it. For starters, there are easter eggs which have been added; but, more than that, it just seems that there's a whole lot more to explore than I found on my first play through. The first will always be a classic but this is much more than I first took it for.

    • @BL-mf3jp
      @BL-mf3jp 4 місяці тому

      Wait they added Talos 2 Easter eggs since November 2023?

  • @anima94
    @anima94 6 місяців тому

    i'm currently playing cocoon right after talos principle 2 and yeah it has nice visuals but it's really meant for children or people new to games I believe

  • @perfectsynthetic
    @perfectsynthetic 6 місяців тому

    👎🏻

  • @janvisser6643
    @janvisser6643 6 місяців тому

    For me it's up there with Link to the past as Greatest game ever!

  • @jamespeake4883
    @jamespeake4883 6 місяців тому

    No kidding about the puzzles being easier, I nearly beat it without getting the "Spend more than 20 minutes on a single puzzle" achievement (I hit the finish button a split second after it popped up on one of the last golden puzzles), easily my biggest problem with the game. Later I went back to tTP1 and didn't even need to leave the Greek area to find a more difficult puzzle.

  • @truthseek3017
    @truthseek3017 6 місяців тому

    When the addiction kicks in, it's awesome.

  • @Benjicmm
    @Benjicmm 6 місяців тому

    I completely agree with all these points.

  • @johnq.public3302
    @johnq.public3302 6 місяців тому

    Amazing game EXCEPT the godawful endless WEF endorsed preachiness. We get it. We're bad people. Sigh.

  • @riverblack123
    @riverblack123 6 місяців тому

    Is this game going to be some reddit atheism pandering? Or is the writing actually good?

  • @knightedsensei
    @knightedsensei 7 місяців тому

    Thank you for the video! It was very informative and interesting, especially as a very small channel myself. I really appreciate that’s action about focusing on “being the first to make something”. For me, I really wanted to be the first to make a Helldivers 2 animation - but one day I checked youtube and there it was, hundreds of thousands of views “slipping through my fingers”. But deep down that shouldn’t matter - it’s about being proud of what you make, about it being worthy and giving something of value back to the community. I really appreciate your video, you have done a very good introspective deep dive into your own thoughts and feelings, admitting your own flaws in your perspectives back when starting out. It’s very genuine and it’s really cool to hear a fresh perspective. Thanks again, earned a sub!

    • @MinnowStream
      @MinnowStream 6 місяців тому

      Love to hear that, thanks!

  • @szabolcsdezsi8028
    @szabolcsdezsi8028 7 місяців тому

    It was a nice game, but I agree, it wasn't much of a puzzle game.

  • @knightedsensei
    @knightedsensei 7 місяців тому

    I definitely get the sentiment and agree wholeheartedly. Cocoon is a great game, but it is a specific kind of game, less of a lateral thinking puzzle and more of an adventure. Many people before have commented similarly, but it’s very much like Limbo and Inside in how you can breeze through it super casually. Where you won’t get stumped and give up. It is a very linear experience. Still, even though it is “great”, you can feel that missed potential in not exploring all of the puzzle mechanics further. Once you reach the final set of puzzles that really push the mechanics into something truly worthy the game is over just like that. It is fascinating and strange, kinda like Cocoon itself. A really good game, but not the one deep down I wanted. Great video

  • @potapotapotapotapotapota
    @potapotapotapotapotapota 7 місяців тому

    My only problem with the game is that the graphics were too damn good, I didn't expect that my supercomputer would struggle compared to the last game, but I can understand why they had to make a beautiful game. In terms of pros and cons I think the text and the dialogue was the best part. The philosophical meanderings made me really think, way more than the puzzles did! It's like a Metaphysics essay with some puzzle games to tie it all together all expressed in the form of art. I wish we could have explored the megastructure more. Imagine if the three lazer zones were all interconnected like in the utopia/dystopia area and you had to solve puzzles in all dimensions with lazers going everywhere and all sorts of moving platforms. But apart from that I am very happy with the game. It has moved me and changed my life.

  • @torb-no
    @torb-no 7 місяців тому

    I think this is what I would call light puzzle game. A game that focuses on the feeling of discovery (for everyone, not puzzle veterans) and is very relaxing and aesthetic. It reminds me of Monument Valley more than anything else. I also think Portal is a pretty good comparison. I think the game is *excellent* for what it is, and I’ve often found ‘proper’ puzzle games frustrating myself. If I want a real puzzle I’d rather sit down and do some recreational programming. I can understand heavy puzzle fans finding it too light though.

  • @ОлегСироватка-ш9р
    @ОлегСироватка-ш9р 7 місяців тому

    А я пробежал за 80 часов и то звёзды смотрел в yuotube

  • @colleennoble1756
    @colleennoble1756 7 місяців тому

    Sony PS1 has the best puzzle games, Devil Dice and Kula World

  • @EmissaryOfSmeagol
    @EmissaryOfSmeagol 7 місяців тому

    I just completed a 100% run in 37hrs, and the thing that stuck out for me was how much they ramped up the philosophy. To me, that's what made TTP1 so unique, the philosophy. Getting more and getting deeper with those topics was a joy.

  • @ChimpanzeeUltra
    @ChimpanzeeUltra 7 місяців тому

    I liked the game, but: - At some levels I get very tired of running here and there looking for a blue shining thing made for getting a star - In some areas I have 40FPS on low-mid settings. My laptop doesn't match the minimum requirements but I don't think it's impossible to make similar graphics with 90FPS+ - Yeah, there are lots of text, and at some point I started skipping some of the texts - I didn't see a raising difficulty curve. Like a puzzle in one area is difficult and tricky and another can be solved in 2 minutes. There's one golden puzzle I remember which takes like 2 minutes to solve.