Moss
- June 7, 2018
- Polyarc
- 5h median play time
To put it bluntly, Moss is the pinnacle of PSVR and a crowning achievement across VR as a whole.
Get on Steam"Moss is a single-player VR platformer adventure, where you form a partnership with a brave mouse named Quill. Together, you'll face puzzles, enemies, and explore a beautifully immersive world. The recently added 'Twilight Garden' expansion introduces new challenges, weapons, and enhances the overall experience."
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus Quest
Oculus Rift
PlayStation
PlayStation VR
PlayStation VR2
Windows Mixed Reality
Reviews
- Incredible graphics and beautiful environments that create a captivating atmosphere.
- Engaging gameplay that combines platforming, puzzles, and light combat, making great use of VR mechanics.
- Quill, the main character, is adorable and the interactions with her create a strong emotional connection.
- The game is relatively short, typically taking around 3-5 hours to complete, which may not justify the full price for some players.
- Controls can be frustrating, especially on certain VR systems like the HTC Vive, leading to imprecise movements and jumps.
- The story ends on a cliffhanger, leaving players wanting more without a complete resolution.
- story694 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of *Moss* is a charming and immersive fairy tale that follows a small mouse named Quill on her quest to save her uncle, blending engaging gameplay with a unique storytelling format that involves the player as a "reader." While the narrative is simple and somewhat brief, lasting around 4-5 hours, it is well-paced and beautifully presented, leaving players eager for a sequel to continue the adventure. The game's enchanting visuals and heartfelt character interactions enhance the overall experience, making it a standout title in the VR genre.
“The story, even though on the shorter side of things, is well paced and the right ratio compared to the gameplay.”
“The exceptional part of this game is how it integrates you into a fantasy story while also playing to the strengths of the VR format.”
“The story is beautiful and very well presented.”
“The story is very basic and lacks depth.”
“The reviews I've read applaud the story, but I found it very shallow and abrupt.”
“The story was over!”
- graphics323 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, charming art style, and meticulous attention to detail, creating an immersive experience that enhances the gameplay. Many reviewers noted the game's beautiful environments, smooth animations, and the overall aesthetic that captures a fairy tale atmosphere, although some experienced performance issues when adjusting settings above low quality. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
“The graphics are stunning, the characters are charming.”
“The visuals are absolutely stunning! This game has fantastic graphics & animations, and a charming story and world.”
“The graphics are beautiful and fit the style of the game perfectly, the art team did a fantastic job with the environments, I was really blown away here.”
“Oh, and while I'm on the topic of settings, every time I open the settings menu it shows that graphics quality is set to low, even though I'm sure I changed it to high the last time.”
“On the technical side, it's sad to see that the devs haven't bothered fixing the performance issues when using any other graphics option than 'low', which therefore has been chosen as the default.”
“Just shy of the minimum specs; however, gouged graphic settings expose some rough edges in the scenes and sacrifice so much of the charm of this game, while crippled framerates turn the experience into a nauseating one.”
- gameplay288 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this VR title is characterized by its engaging blend of simple platforming, light combat, and environmental puzzles, making it accessible yet enjoyable for players of all skill levels. While some mechanics may feel basic and the game is relatively short (around 4-6 hours), the charming visuals, immersive storytelling, and the unique interaction between the player and the protagonist, Quill, create a captivating experience. Overall, the game effectively utilizes VR to enhance its gameplay, though some players noted a desire for deeper mechanics and more challenging content.
“The gameplay is unique, engaging, and in my opinion, makes it a defining title for what the VR experience should be.”
“The gameplay is smooth and fairly intuitive.”
“The gameplay itself is very well done, the character Moss is easy to control and the action feels fluid and intuitive.”
“The use of VR doesn't add anything mechanically; with the character being controlled with buttons and joystick, the interactions you do have in the world are simple enough that it could've easily been done with a mouse.”
“The gameplay is not that exciting, but it doesn't even matter because the presentation is so unique and so masterfully crafted that you will love every second.”
“The platforming mechanics felt a bit stiff and unpolished, while the combat was too simplistic and barebones to be really engaging.”
- music95 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the immersive experience, with many reviewers noting its beautiful composition that complements the stunning visuals and engaging gameplay. The soundtrack is described as whimsical and fitting for the fantasy setting, often evoking feelings reminiscent of epic tales like "Lord of the Rings." Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
“The soundtrack is perfectly matched to each scene and adds to the immersion.”
“The music is phenomenal.”
“The environments are stunning, the soundtrack is beautiful, the story is wonderful, and the gameplay is simple yet exciting.”
“The game might have music, but I was completely oblivious to it.”
“Cons: mediocre story, lacks some polish in platforming, uninspiring soundtrack.”
“However, it is held back by a less than persuasive story, some minor bugs along the way, and a forgettable soundtrack.”
- emotional48 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming storytelling and stunning visuals, which create a deep connection between players and the protagonist, Quill. Many reviewers noted that the game evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears and a sense of companionship, while also highlighting the immersive experience of VR that enhances emotional engagement. However, some players felt that certain emotional moments could have been more impactful through interactive storytelling rather than narration.
“I rarely get emotional when playing a game, but this one really hit me in the feels.”
“I developed an emotional bond with Quill and felt bad every time she died.”
“It was an emotional ride, and has given me hope that there is still a place for surprise, wonder, and creativity out there.”
- atmosphere42 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is consistently praised for its beauty, charm, and immersive quality, often described as fairy tale-like and captivating. Players appreciate the detailed environments, engaging music, and the harmonious blend of atmosphere with gameplay and narrative, making it a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. Despite some minor technical issues, the rich atmosphere significantly contributes to the enjoyment and emotional engagement of the game.
“Moss is a wonderful experience mixing atmosphere and story in perfect harmony.”
“I've only played an hour so far, but the atmosphere, graphics, cuteness, story, and attention to detail are breathtaking.”
“The scenery is beautiful and the music and sound effects really set an atmosphere that supports the story.”
“I did not realize that, when choosing to buy moss, how much I need such a captivating atmosphere as if I were in a fairy tale.”
“You could probably blow through it in a couple of hours just trying to finish, but the atmosphere is half the experience for me so I'm taking it slow and enjoying the ride.”
- replayability17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, primarily due to its short runtime of 3-4 hours and limited content beyond the initial playthrough. While some players appreciate the presence of collectibles and challenges that encourage revisiting levels, many feel that once the story is completed, there is little incentive to replay. Players recommend purchasing the game on sale or as part of a bundle, as the replay value does not justify a full-price buy.
“I feel there is replay value here with incentive to go back to any level previously completed to try and complete the level at 100%.”
“Most screens have a scroll as a bonus that you have to find and collect, which adds replayability and keeps you engaged.”
“There are collectibles and challenges that give it some replay value.”
“There isn't a huge amount of replay value, in my opinion.”
“The tough pill to swallow in all this is the short 3-4 hour runtime and lack of replayability.”
“There are some collectibles you can go back to, but other than that there isn't really any replayability.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report a polished experience with beautiful visuals and reasonable performance on lower settings, significant issues arise when graphics are set above low, leading to memory leaks and stuttering. Some users have found that performance improves with lower graphics settings or by running the game from an SSD, but persistent optimization problems remain unaddressed by the developers. Overall, while the game can perform well on capable hardware, it requires careful management of settings to avoid performance drops.
“It's a very polished, smooth experience, and I didn't experience any performance issues or bugs.”
“This is a great VR game in my top 10, it has low performance needs yet looks beautiful at times so good you will stop and marvel at the scene.”
“The game is beautiful and well optimized.”
“- but sadly if you put graphics above low, it causes a memory leak and performance drops.”
“- puzzles are subpar, the game is mostly linear, combat is dull, this game is boring. I tried to continue for the story, but honestly, I can't tolerate the optimization issues. The internet was right that they didn't patch the memory leak to this day...”
“On the technical side, it's sad to see that the devs haven't bothered fixing the performance issues when using any other graphics option than 'low', which therefore has been chosen as the default.”
- stability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience with no bugs or glitches, others encounter issues with moving platforms and collisions, leading to occasional frustrations. The forgiving checkpoint system helps mitigate these problems, but the platforming mechanics could benefit from refinement.
“This is an adorable game and looks/runs great.”
“It runs great, looks great, sounds great.”
“[*] runs great”
“The game is a little buggy in regards to moving platforms and collisions; I got stuck a few times in walls, but the checkpoint system is very forgiving.”
“Not perfect though, the platforming is a bit gimmicky and edge grab is a bit buggy. If it was at least twice as long, it would be a must-play for me.”
“While this was obviously not as intended, Quill’s realism and glitches that could cause inferred emotional responses could be upsetting for younger players if Quill ends up dying.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its charming and entertaining humor, featuring a cute protagonist who encourages player interaction. While some players initially found the humor subtle, the overall experience is described as funny and engaging, enhanced by smooth animations and a delightful story.
“She's cute and funny, and she'll insist that you interact with her (high-fives, etc.) throughout the playtime.”
“A simple, cute, smart, funny game.”
“Charming, funny, entertaining.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often exacerbated by a lackluster story and uninspired voice acting. While some appreciate the visuals and animation, many feel that the grinding detracts significantly from the overall experience.
“This tedious format is made worse by an incoherent, plodding story, lackluster writing, and humdrum voice acting.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Combat gets repetitive and tedious very quickly.”
- character development5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Character development is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting the intricate design and animation that contribute to a lovable and engaging character. The attention to detail in both the gameplay and story enhances the overall experience, drawing favorable comparisons to other beloved characters in gaming.
“The character development is excellent.”
“Super intricate detail, background, gameplay, story, character design.”
“The animations and character design remind me of the same lovability that I found in the girl in a hat in time.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth.”
“I found the characters to be one-dimensional and unrelatable.”
“There is little to no growth in the characters throughout the game.”
Critic Reviews
Moss GBAtemp review
Starting with its world building atmosphere and simple but polished gameplay, the addition of your presence via PlayStation VR takes Moss to the next level. It is an example of how genres can grow and evolve and how our participation as the player can become more personal and connected.
85%Moss review --- Quill's journey remains a stunning VR experience
Moss is an incredible puzzle-based adventure which uses VR to create a unique and stunning experience, all while featuring one of the most adorable heroes to come along in years. Featuring creative puzzles, a simple, but heartfelt story, some fun platforming and action sequences, Moss is a must have for any VR lover’s game catalog.
90%Moss
If there is one minor complaint, it is how the game’s perspective often requires players to turn their necks far to the side in order to determine Quill’s location. This could prove uncomfortable depending on the individual, and is unfortunately a requirement in order to plan out the next path in the adventure. There are also instances where the game encourages Quill to move out of bounds in order to reach the next area; while there is always a handy silhouette that shows Quill’s location when an object is obscuring her, there have been a few cases where the game allows players to loop around the stage only to end up at a pitfall. Fortunately, the checkpoint system is generous enough that no real progress is ever lost.
80%
