Rusted Moss

About

"Rusted Moss" is a Metroidvania game with a physics-based grapple and 360° aiming system, allowing for creative traversal and precise gunplay. The unique elastic grappling hook uses your kinetic momentum to propel you forward, with no set path through the abandoned wasteland. Tight and precise gunplay is emphasized, with quick weapon-switching for different playstyles.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 356 reviews

gameplay71 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game features a unique grappling hook mechanic that allows for creative movement and exploration, making traversal enjoyable and rewarding.
The art style and music are beautifully crafted, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
The game offers a variety of bosses and challenges that keep the gameplay engaging, with a decent story that unfolds as you progress.

The grappling hook can be difficult to master initially, leading to frustrating moments, especially in platforming sections.
Some players have reported issues with the game's menu and UI, making it hard to see certain upgrades and passives at a glance.
Achieving 100% completion can be tedious, as it is often unclear what upgrades or items have been missed.

gameplay
165 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
55%
2%
The gameplay of the game is heavily centered around a grappling hook mechanic that, while initially challenging to master, offers a satisfying and dynamic experience once players become proficient. Many reviewers praised the unique movement mechanics and the engaging platforming challenges, although some noted that the grappling hook can feel awkward or imprecise in certain situations. Overall, the game is described as a rewarding metroidvania that encourages exploration and skill development, with a variety of mechanics that enhance both traversal and combat.
- “The movement mechanics are extremely satisfying and the bosses all have unique styles of fighting them and countering their attacks.”
- “The grappling hook mechanic and all subsequent movement unlocks made exploration in this game very satisfying.”
- “The grapple mechanic is very well implemented in general, feels great to play, and blends great with other mechanics such as weapon knockback.”
- “The game has a slow start, but the enjoyment quickly picks up as you get the hang of the story and mechanics.”
- “The grappling hook mechanic is just way too high of an effort to actually use properly.”
- “If you're not able to master the platforming mechanics and use them under pressure, you are going to have a hard time.”
story
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
46%
5%
The game's story is generally well-received, with many players finding it engaging and immersive, particularly appreciating its unique characters and lore. While some critiques mention predictability and pacing issues, the narrative is often described as a compelling backdrop that complements the gameplay rather than overshadowing it. Overall, the story strikes a balance between being accessible for those who prefer minimal narrative and rewarding for players who enjoy exploring its depths.
- “The story was actually immersive, and I had some favorite areas I would go to just to AFK and listen to the background music.”
- “The story is original and enjoyable.”
- “The game's immersive story and thoughtfully designed world create an atmosphere that keeps you hooked.”
- “The story is okay; it's not very well written, and the ending feels kind of underwhelming, but it's alright.”
- “I think this game plays very well, but it really dropped the ball with its story.”
- “The story is unfortunately very lacking, but the world and unique environments throughout are plenty reason to keep playing.”
music
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
23%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and set the tone for each area, with many tracks described as "absolute bangers." Reviewers appreciate the well-composed soundtrack that complements the game's visuals and mechanics, making it a standout feature worth purchasing as an OST. Overall, the music is seen as a key element that contributes to the game's immersive experience and enjoyment.
- “The soundtrack was extremely good at setting the mood, and I liked it a lot.”
- “The music adds to the atmosphere beautifully, immersing me further and further into the game.”
- “The music is always fitting and even has a couple of tracks that go in unexpected places and accentuate the game's already strong atmosphere.”
- “The visuals are very pretty - always dig dilapidated industrial settings - and while the music didn't inspire a ton in me, it's at least fitting for the aesthetic.”
- “The music and storytelling/lore really grew on me.”
- “Each zone has its own music that is appropriate to the environment, and it's all very well composed.”
graphics
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
24%
9%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful pixel art style, vibrant visuals, and distinct environmental designs that enhance the overall aesthetic. However, some users criticize certain aspects as ugly or inconsistent, particularly when juxtaposed with the game's serious themes. Overall, the art style is often described as appealing and well-executed, contributing positively to the gameplay experience.
- “The art style is gorgeous and the combat feels fun and satisfying.”
- “The presentation is fantastic, graphics are vibrant and varied throughout the whole game.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the pixel animation style is well executed and feels nostalgically retro in all the right ways.”
- “The game is horrible, and on top of that, it's got some of the ugliest graphics that I have ever seen this side of the Atari 2600.”
- “I don't know why so many games want to further hurt their aesthetic by making the characters anime girls; it goes against the grey/drab seriousness of the environment.”
- “Lore, story, visuals are all S tier, and if it weren't for the accessibility options, I may not have finished this game.”
atmosphere
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
24%
18%
The atmosphere of "Rusted Moss" is widely praised for its beautiful, melancholic visuals and distinct biomes, each contributing to a captivating and immersive experience. The game's muted color palettes and stellar music composition enhance the mood, creating an inviting yet mysterious environment that encourages exploration. Players appreciate the balance of unsettling lore and engaging gameplay, which together foster a strong emotional connection to the game world.
- “The atmosphere set up by the muted color palettes and stellar music composition really draws you in.”
- “The map is huge, with lots of places to explore and when you find a new place, the atmosphere is often inviting or mysterious and really makes you want to investigate.”
- “The music of the game adds to the atmosphere beautifully, immersing me further and further into the game.”
- “The atmosphere and pieces of lore you read are very unsettling and kept me in a state of slight unease while playing.”
- “The game's immersive story and thoughtfully designed world create an atmosphere that keeps you hooked.”
- “The music is always fitting and even has a couple of tracks that go in unexpected places and accentuate the game's already strong atmosphere.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its witty character dialogue and amusing gameplay mechanics, such as the "funny grappling hook" and quirky movement. Players appreciate the blend of charm and humor, with many moments that elicit genuine laughter, although some feel it doesn't quite reach the comedic heights of similar titles like Cave Story. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with engaging exploration and polished gameplay.
- “Funny women with guns go fast :)”
- “I also find it hilarious that every single negative review I was able to find was due to the reviewer having a severe case of skill issue.”
- “The character dialogue is excellent and genuinely funny.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is praised for its perfect balance of dark themes and heartfelt storytelling, avoiding clichés while delivering a nuanced narrative. Players appreciate the emotionally charged dialogue and the depth of the story, which enhances the overall experience without becoming overly dramatic.
- “Just the right amount of emotional and dark themes to keep me interested, but not too much to make me roll my eyes.”
- “It nails every single aspect of games that I love, from a heartfelt story without a simple good and bad side, to some of the most satisfying movement and combat I have experienced in a game.”
- “And what little dialogue there is is emotionally charged without feeling overly dramatic.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in this metroidvania is praised for its outstanding pacing and varied, interesting designs that enhance the overall experience. The compelling story, infused with comedy, and the solid animations contribute to a rich narrative that makes the characters feel lovable and engaging. Overall, the game's art direction and character variety significantly elevate its appeal.
- “This is the best metroidvania I have ever played, outstanding pacing, great character designs, and art direction.”
- “An incredible metroidvania with beautiful art and music along with a compelling and interesting story, featuring lots of comedy and lovable character design.”
- “The animations are solid, the character design is varied and interesting, and the enemy variety is diverse despite all of them being machines.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The game offers limited replayability for casual players, typically lasting around 15 hours, unless one is a completionist or speedrunner. However, it features extensive replayability through user-generated content available in the workshop, enhancing its longevity for dedicated players.
- “An awesomely solid game with countless replayability through the workshop levels.”
- “It has a limited replayability, so it's about 15 hours and you are done, unless you are a completionist who plays for achievements or a speedrunner (dedicated mode included).”
- “It has limited replayability, so it's about 15 hours and you're done, unless you are a completionist who plays for achievements or a speedrunner (dedicated mode included).”
- “Once you finish the main story, there isn't much incentive to replay the game, as the side content feels repetitive and lacks depth.”
- “The game offers little in terms of new experiences on subsequent playthroughs, making it hard to justify revisiting after the initial run.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect tedious, particularly during jumping puzzle sections where damage can lead to frequent health refills at mana pools, suggesting that disabling damage in these areas could enhance the experience.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find myself spending more time grinding for resources than actually enjoying the gameplay.”
- “The grind is so tedious that it often overshadows the fun aspects of the game.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report that the game exhibits some stability issues, with noticeable bugs affecting the overall experience.
- “Now I've beaten the game, and honestly, it's a bit buggy.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy.”
- “I experienced several glitches that disrupted my gameplay.”