Moss and its sequel, Moss: Book 2, once lauded as some of the best VR experiences available, have now made their way to traditional gaming platforms with the release of Moss: The Forgotten Relic. This compilation allows players to experience the full narrative of the brave mouse Quill and her companion, the Reader, without the need for a VR headset. The transition to a flat-screen format is largely successful, delivering an engaging platforming and puzzle adventure, though some legacy VR design choices occasionally hinder the experience.
In Moss: The Forgotten Relic, players embody the Reader, an unseen guide who assists Quill, a young and determined mouse, on her quest to rescue her uncle. The narrative unfolds like a storybook, with the player directly interacting with the environment to help Quill navigate treacherous landscapes and overcome obstacles. This symbiotic gameplay loop involves manipulating objects, such as moving boxes or elevating platforms, to clear paths for Quill, who is controlled directly by the player. The bond between the player and Quill is a central theme, highlighted by her expressive animations and endearing desire for high fives after successful challenges.
Gameplay Mechanics
The core gameplay revolves around three pillars: platforming, environmental puzzles, and combat. Quill's platforming is characterized by her small stature, requiring her to scramble and tumble rather than gracefully vault. This adds a layer of charm to her movements. The environmental puzzles often require a degree of trial and error, encouraging players to explore levels thoroughly before finding a solution. As the game progresses, both Quill and the Reader gain new abilities, adding complexity and satisfaction to puzzle-solving. For instance, the Reader can often possess enemies, using their unique traits to aid Quill in reaching new areas or overcoming specific challenges.
Combat serves as the third element, and while it improves over the course of the games, it is generally considered the weakest aspect. Early encounters involve facing waves of enemies with limited attack options, which can become repetitive. However, Quill eventually acquires new weapons, introducing more variety and making combat sequences more dynamic and enjoyable. The introduction of new characters, such as the gruff mouse Sahima in Book 2, offers a temporary shift in perspective and highlights Quill's established personality through contrast.
Technical and Design Aspects
A notable consequence of Moss's VR origins is the camera control, or rather, the lack thereof in the flat-screen version. With one thumbstick dedicated to controlling Quill and the other to the Reader's hand interactions, camera movement is handled automatically by the game. This fixed camera perspective can sometimes make judging jump distances difficult, leading to frustration, particularly in sections demanding precise platforming. While this is the game's primary drawback, players accustomed to challenging titles may find it a manageable, albeit sometimes tiresome, aspect.
Despite the camera issues, the game's presentation remains strong. The environments, from lush forests to somber castles, are detailed and visually appealing. Quill's character animations are particularly noteworthy, conveying a wide range of emotions and making her feel like a genuine companion. The approximately 10-hour runtime, combining both Moss and Moss: Book 2, offers a substantial and well-paced adventure.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic launched on July 16 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. The review was conducted on a PS5 with a prerelease download code provided by Polyarc.