The Electric State: Kid Cosmo

The Electric State: Kid Cosmo is a narrative-driven puzzle title developed as a companion to the Netflix film The Electric State, which is in turn based on the illustrated novel by Simon Stålenhag. The game serves as a prequel to the film and provides additional backstory to its characters and world.

The game features a layered structure with two parallel experiences. The primary layer follows siblings Michelle and Chris as they navigate life in a dystopian version of the 1980s, where sentient robots have taken control of society. Amidst the oppressive atmosphere, the siblings spend their time playing a retro-styled video game called Kid Cosmo.

Within the in-game universe of Kid Cosmo, players control the titular character, navigating through platform-style levels filled with environmental puzzles and traps. Progression requires solving challenges and avoiding hazards while events from the siblings' real-world surroundings subtly unfold in the background. This structure creates a dual narrative, blending gameplay with passive storytelling elements that provide insight into the characters' lives and their world.