Whispers in the Moss

About

"Whispers in the Moss" is a critically acclaimed indie RPG that pays homage to retro gaming while offering a modern experience. The game features old-school graphics and complex puzzles, immersing players in a rich, nostalgic world. With its unique blend of history and modernity, "Whispers in the Moss" is a must-play for retro enthusiasts and RPG fans alike. Note: Add the game folder to antivirus exceptions due to false positives.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 36 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features a unique and charming ASCII/ANSI art style that evokes nostalgia for classic RPGs.
The soundtrack is excellent and complements the game's retro fantasy atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
Whispers in the Moss offers a solid traditional JRPG experience with engaging gameplay, interesting characters, and plenty of side content to explore.

The controls may take some time to get used to, and navigating the menus can be clunky.
There are some minor bugs present, such as flickering, but they do not significantly impact gameplay.
The story is somewhat traditional and may not offer much in terms of originality, which could be a drawback for some players.

graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
The graphics of "Whispers in the Moss" are characterized by charming ASCII and ANSI art that evoke nostalgia for classic gaming eras, particularly the C64 and DOS aesthetics. Reviewers appreciate the inventive design, which enhances the traditional JRPG experience while addressing some of the clunkiness of older titles. The unique visual style is praised for its liveliness and accessibility, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The unique graphics on top of a solid JRPG base make this game both fun and relaxing while fixing a lot of the clunkier issues found in older games and staying engaging with side content/world.”
- “Fun JRPG with beautiful ANSI/ASCII graphics in a high fantasy world full of magic.”
- “Feels a bit like old Final Fantasy games, but the graphics are like from old BBS or DOS games and are very unusual.”
- “I find the ASCII graphics very charming; it reminds me of ZZT and 80’s roguelikes but feels more lively and less flat in design than those.”
- “The ASCII and ANSI artwork give it a distinguishing look.”
story
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The story is characterized as a traditional high-fantasy narrative with familiar elements, yet it features engaging characters and entertaining moments. While some reviewers note its standard plot, they appreciate the blend of whimsy and seriousness, along with the developer's humor, which adds charm to the experience. Overall, the story is deemed enjoyable and accessible, making it a captivating part of the game despite its conventionality.
- “The story was entertaining and fun to go through.”
- “There’s a lot of story and adventure and it certainly isn’t just grinding.”
- “The story is a mix of whimsy and serious beats.”
- “The story also seems pretty standard, but it's sprinkled with the dev's fitting sense of humor, and it's fitting for the holistic retro approach.”
- “Sure, the story isn't anything you haven't seen before, but it still has great moments and interesting characters.”
- “The mechanics and gameplay should be very familiar to JRPG fans, and the story is very traditional high-fantasy.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The music in the game has received high praise for its phenomenal quality, effectively complementing the retro fantasy atmosphere and enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the soundtrack's ability to evoke nostalgia reminiscent of classic 1990s JRPGs, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal. Overall, the soundtrack is described as an excellent accompaniment to the gameplay, making the game feel like a true gem in the genre.
- “What uncultured games has managed to conjure is an excellent traditional JRPG with surprisingly inventive graphical design and a great soundtrack.”
- “The music complements the retro fantasy atmosphere.”
- “This game is an absolute gem - the ANSI interface is well crafted and a real throwback to the good old days of the 1990s, but at the same time the music, gameplay, and pacing nail the mid-90s sprite JRPG feel.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
71%
21%
The gameplay is characterized by familiar mechanics and traditional high-fantasy storytelling, appealing to JRPG fans. While the capture mechanic can be frustrating due to its low success rate, the overall gameplay is considered basic yet fitting, with unique character archetypes complementing the classic attack/magic/item system. The nostalgic ANSI interface and mid-90s sprite aesthetic enhance the experience, making it a charming throwback.
- “This game is an absolute gem - the ANSI interface is well crafted and a real throwback to the good old days of the 1990s, but at the same time, the music, gameplay, and pacing nail the mid-90s sprite JRPG feel.”
- “At first, I found the capture mechanic to be a frustrating feature because of the poor success rate.”
- “On the gameplay side, it's basic but fitting; each character has some unique archetypes to fill on top of the standard attack/magic/item paradigm.”
- “Gameplay seemed aligned with the typical JRPG tropes.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that while grinding is necessary to overcome significant difficulty spikes, particularly in the final section, the game offers a rich narrative and adventure that balances the grinding experience. Overall, grinding is seen as a means to enhance gameplay rather than the sole focus.
- “The last section almost broke me with the massive difficulty spike, but after going back and grinding up quite a few levels, and a few secret bosses under my belt, I was able to finish it.”
- “There’s a lot of story and adventure, and it certainly isn’t just grinding.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where users report smooth performance without significant issues.
- “First off, this game runs great on the Steam Deck.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, players report a positive experience with optimization, noting no issues with text size or performance throughout their gameplay.
- “I played the entirety of it and had no issues with text being too small or performance.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere is characterized by a strong retro fantasy vibe, enhanced by complementary music that immerses players in the game's world.
- “The music complements the retro fantasy atmosphere.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is noted as a standout feature, effectively enhancing the otherwise standard storyline and complementing its retro aesthetic. Reviewers appreciate the developer's unique comedic touch, which adds charm to the overall experience.
- “The story also seems pretty standard, but it's sprinkled with the dev's fitting sense of humor, and it's perfect for the holistic retro approach.”