Whispers in the Moss
- May 31, 2024
- Uncultured Games
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"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.
Reviews
- The game features a unique and charming ANSI/ASCII art style that evokes nostalgia for classic RPGs and old PC games.
- The soundtrack is phenomenal and complements the retro fantasy atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
- Gameplay is engaging with a solid turn-based combat system, interesting mechanics, and plenty of side content to explore.
- Navigating menus can be clunky, and there are issues with dialogue that cannot be skipped in bulk, which can disrupt the flow of the game.
- Some players experienced a significant difficulty spike towards the end, which may require grinding to overcome.
- The game has minor bugs and design limitations, such as flickering graphics and an annoying saving system.
- graphics9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique art style, reminiscent of classic C64 and DOS-era visuals, which adds charm and nostalgia. Players appreciate the engaging use of ASCII and ANSI graphics, noting that they enhance the overall experience while maintaining a fun and relaxing atmosphere. The design effectively balances retro aesthetics with modern gameplay, making it both captivating and accessible.
“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.”
“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.”
“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 reminiscent of 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.”
“Love the art style, having always been a fan of the C64 era of graphics.”
- story7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The story is characterized as a traditional high-fantasy narrative that blends whimsy with serious elements, enhanced by the developers' humor. While it may not be particularly unique, it is engaging and well-written, providing an entertaining experience that complements the game's retro aesthetic. Overall, players find the story enjoyable and accessible, making it a significant aspect of the gameplay.
“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 very traditional high-fantasy.”
“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.”
“The story is a mix of whimsy and serious beats.”
- music7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its phenomenal soundtrack that complements the retro fantasy atmosphere, effectively capturing the essence of mid-90s JRPGs. Reviewers appreciate the well-crafted audio experience, noting that it enhances the overall gameplay and aesthetic, making the game feel like a nostalgic gem.
“An excellent accompanying soundtrack as well.”
“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.”
“Amazing in every bit of playthrough, much more accessible than any other RPG/JRPG. The captivating art style and music have it all, so far the story is not as unique (but I've only gone through the first chapter or so), but still, the writing is very neat.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by familiar mechanics that appeal to JRPG fans, featuring a traditional high-fantasy story and a nostalgic 1990s aesthetic. While the capture mechanic can be frustrating due to its low success rate, the overall gameplay is considered basic yet fitting, with each character offering unique archetypes alongside standard attack, magic, and item options.
“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.”
“The mechanics and gameplay should be very familiar to JRPG fans, and the story is very traditional high-fantasy.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that while the game features significant grinding, particularly to overcome a challenging difficulty spike in the final section, it is balanced by a rich story and adventure elements that keep the experience engaging.
“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.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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.”
“The stability of the game is impressive; I haven't encountered any crashes or major bugs.”
“I appreciate how smooth the gameplay is, even during intense moments.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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.”
“The optimization in this game is top-notch, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how well the game runs; the developers clearly put a lot of effort into optimizing the experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is enhanced by a nostalgic retro fantasy vibe, with music that effectively complements the overall experience.
“The music complements the retro fantasy atmosphere.”
“The game's environment is rich with detail, creating an immersive atmosphere that draws you in.”
“The haunting sound design perfectly enhances the eerie atmosphere, making every moment feel tense and engaging.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is noted for its fitting integration into the standard storyline, enhancing the overall retro aesthetic and adding a unique charm to the experience.
“The story may seem pretty standard, but it's sprinkled with the developer's fitting sense of humor, perfectly complementing the holistic retro approach.”
“The humor in this game is clever and keeps you engaged, making even the most mundane tasks enjoyable.”
“I found myself laughing out loud at the witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions throughout the game.”
