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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique and charming ASCII/ANSI art style that evokes nostalgia for classic RPGs.
- The soundtrack is excellent and complements the retro fantasy atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
- Whispers in the Moss offers a solid traditional JRPG experience with interesting characters, engaging side content, and a well-crafted story.
- The controls can be difficult to get used to, and navigating menus may feel clunky at times.
- There are some minor bugs present, such as flickering, which can detract from the experience but are not game-breaking.
- The story, while entertaining, is considered somewhat standard and lacks uniqueness compared to other JRPGs.
- graphics12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Whispers in the Moss" are characterized by a unique blend of ASCII and ANSI art, reminiscent of classic 80s roguelikes and early computer graphics, which many players find charming and engaging. This distinctive visual style not only enhances the game's nostalgic appeal but also complements its solid JRPG foundation, making it both fun and relaxing to play. Overall, the inventive graphical design has been praised for its creativity and effectiveness in creating a captivating high fantasy world.
“What uncultured games has managed to conjure is an excellent traditional JRPG with surprisingly inventive graphical design and a great soundtrack.”
“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.”
“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; they remind me of ZZT and 80’s roguelikes, but feel more lively and less flat in design than those.”
“The ASCII and ANSI artwork give it a distinguishing look.”
- story9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story is characterized as a traditional high-fantasy narrative with familiar elements, yet it features engaging characters and a mix of whimsy and serious moments. While some reviewers note its standard plot, they appreciate the humor and accessibility, making it entertaining and enjoyable to experience. Overall, the writing is considered neat, and the story offers a good balance of adventure without being overly challenging.
“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.”
“The mechanics and gameplay should be very familiar to JRPG fans, and the story is very traditional high-fantasy.”
- music8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its excellent quality and ability to enhance the retro fantasy atmosphere, effectively complementing the traditional JRPG experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as phenomenal and a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's nostalgic charm and overall enjoyment.
“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.”
“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.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by familiar mechanics that resonate with JRPG fans, featuring traditional high-fantasy elements and a nostalgic 1990s aesthetic. While the capture mechanic can be frustrating due to its low success rate, the overall gameplay is basic yet fitting, with unique character archetypes complementing standard attack, magic, and item systems.
“The mechanics and gameplay should be very familiar to JRPG fans, and the story is very traditional high-fantasy.”
“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.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % 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 defeating a few secret bosses, I was able to finish it.”
“Grinding feels like a chore rather than a rewarding experience, making the game less enjoyable.”
“The game has moments of fun, but the excessive grinding really drags it down.”
- 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 game runs smoothly on my system, and I appreciate the attention to detail in optimization.”
“I was impressed by how well the game performs even on lower-end hardware.”
- 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 cleverly woven into the narrative, making even the most mundane moments entertaining.”
“I found myself laughing out loud at the witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions throughout the game.”
