When comparing Strata vs Cogs, the Slant community recommends Strata for most people. In the question“What are the best Puzzle games on Steam?” Strata is ranked 12th while Cogs is ranked 27th. The most important reason people chose Strata is:
The game scales to any resolution so you can have it in a window on the side.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Supports flexible window resolutions
The game scales to any resolution so you can have it in a window on the side.
Pro Addictive gameplay that steadily increases in difficulty
While the gameplay starts out as being quite straightforward (therefore easing the player into the game), the difficulty does build as one continues to play.
Pro Original design and gameplay
The minimalistic look of the game as well as the way the gameplay works is quite original while still staying intuitive.
Pro 2D minimalistic "weaving" that requires thinking in 3d
While represented in 2D the puzzle solving aspect of the game requires thinking in terms of "levels" as one would while weaving.
Pro Eases the player into the gameplay
The game starts out pretty easy and gradually introduces new elements into the gameplay in order to get the player used to all aspects of the game as later levels can be pretty involved.
Pro Gear based puzzles
If you're into mechanical machines and clocks, you'll like the puzzle aspect of Cogs. The goal of the game is to construct a series of gears in 3D space to rotate a golden gear.
Cons
Con Too easy if you figure out the pattern
The pattern behind the puzzles isn't the simplest, but if you can figure it out, you can solve any of the puzzles quickly.
Con Includes in app purchases
Strata is an upfront paid game at $2.99 which is why it is disappointing to see that in app purchases later apply.
Con No level generator
Even though the levels could easily be automatically generated, there is no level generator.
Con Short
The game can be beaten in about six and a half hours, which is really not all that long for a PC game. Of course originally this was a mobile phone game, which shows its roots in the length.
Con No hint or help system
Users are on their own if they get stuck as there is no help system in the game. This can get frustrating when the puzzles get tougher and tougher.