Moss: The Forgotten Relic Reviews
Moss: The Forgotten Relic successfully brings one of VR's finest adventures to everyone, preserving its emotional storytelling, ingenious puzzles, and irresistible charm despite camera compromises and the unavoidable loss of VR immersion.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic combined heartfelt storytelling, inventive puzzle design, satisfying gameplay, and a presentation that's bursting with charm. It delivers an adventure that's as memorable as it is inviting. A few pacing issues and narrative gaps keep it from reaching true greatness, but they do little to overshadow a journey that is a reminder why simple fairy tales have endured for generations.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic weaves enchanting storytelling with satisfying action, creating an indie gem that genuinely tugs at your heartstrings. That’s the TBB Curator blurb and it holds — but the more precise framing is this: Moss was a VR masterpiece, and The Forgotten Relic is a very good flatscreen adaptation of a VR masterpiece. Those are different things, and which one you’re getting depends entirely on what you’re bringing to it. If you’ve never played Moss and don’t own VR: buy this. Two acclaimed games, all the DLC, twenty dollars, a mouse you will absolutely become emotionally attached to, and one of the most distinctive presentations in the medium. Use a controller. Pet the mouse. If you’ve never played Moss and do own VR: play it in VR. This version is good and that version is extraordinary. If you’ve played Moss in VR and are considering this: you’ll enjoy revisiting it, the bubble controls on the right stick are a genuine improvement over motion controls, and Book II being bundled in is worth it on its own. Just know going in that you’re returning to a world you used to be able to sit inside.
The wealth of good ideas here remains incredibly valuable, and I can easily recommend the experience to any fan of platformers with a healthy dose of puzzle-solving. Actually, I don't need to overcomplicate things: if you appreciate cute visuals and found the game's little female mouse protagonist absolutely charming, this is certainly a great recommendation for you.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Moss: The Forgotten Relic proves that an adventure doesn't rely solely on the technology that gave it life. While it may lose some of the virtual reality magic, everything that made Quill special remains: a beautiful world, expertly designed puzzles, and a protagonist you simply can't help but want to join on her journey. Polyarc has succeeded in bringing one of its finest creations to a much wider audience without losing its essence. It is a small adventure with immense charm that remains just as special as it was on day one.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Moss: The Forgotten Relic takes players on a magical journey carried by its endearing protagonist Quill. Evoking children’s fairy tale books in the best of ways, it feels like the definitive way for kids and adults to experience such a rich story.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic does a great job taking the original titles and translating them into a more static, controller-based style, where you can look upon Quill and aid her in her journey. The story, while cute and reminiscent of a bedtime story you’d read by the fire, is short and doesn’t offer as much complexity as I would like. Still, hearing the narrator talk me through the game was a fun addition that I added to the overall experience. The gameplay is simple, but offers a deeper means of puzzle solving as you unlock new items and progress through both books of the story. It would have been nice to move the camera, as the static shots made navigating some of the puzzles a bit more of a hassle than necessary.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic does a great job bringing two wonderful adventures to more players. It has a beautiful world and story with puzzles and action that are always rewarding.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic is the perfect way to play Moss if you don’t have a PSVR headset and you’ve been wanting to try Moss ever since its 2018 debut. The Forgotten Relic is billed as the definitive experience, and I agree. The original 2018 Moss is great but way too short; I finished playing it in about 2.5 hours, and the story ends abruptly. Moss: Book II spends more time on plot and weaving in levels, and together, they feel like the complete game. Fans of environmental puzzles, delightful character design, and straightforward combat will love Moss: The Forgotten Relic. But if you don’t like those things, then you won’t like Moss — even though the mouse is really, really cute.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic is by no means a bad way to step in as Quill’s companion, even though virtual reality literally adds a new dimension to the gameplay. Both games are entertaining, thrilling, and beautiful adventures that are a joy to play through on a traditional screen as well. It's a good version of a great game, the new camera angles work well, and the sharper textures highlight the detailed world. All in all, a fantastic two-part adventure!
Review in Finnish | Read full review
I was completely drawn into the world of "Moss: The Forgotten Relic," because even without VR, it possesses a magical quality that captivates you and makes you lose track of time.
Review in German | Read full review
Moss: The Forgotten Relic combines adventure, exploration, puzzling, and battling (if desired) into one cohesive story, albeit in two separate parts. The graphics are simply magnificent, complemented by atmospheric music and wonderful voice acting. It is a game that deserves to be played, and I – unlike the relic – will not find Moss: The Forgotten Relic easy to forget!
If you are looking for an interesting story, unique puzzle mechanics, and enjoyable exploration, Moss: The Forgotten Relic is hard to beat, and you would be hard-pressed to find a more adorable protagonist in gaming this year.
Moss: The Forgotten Relic doesn't completely replace the virtual reality experience. The absence of a headset reduces the sense of presence, makes exploration more direct, and weakens some of the closeness between the reader and Quill. It also highlights the simplicity of the first book, especially in its combat and the low variety of enemies. Even so, the charm remains. Quill continues to be an extremely charismatic protagonist, the world retains its visual identity, and the relationship between character and player still produces moments capable of bringing a smile. When Book II enters the scene, the adventure gains more variety, better puzzles, bosses, and a more elaborate narrative.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Moss: The Forgotten Relic is a really great collection of some of the best VR action/adventure games out there. They have heart, whimsy, partnership, and joy. I do absolutely recommend playing these games. However, if you do have a VR headset or access to one, I still recommend playing those versions as it adds so much more to the experience.