Moss: Book II

Last updated
Moss: Book II
Moss Book II Cover Art.jpg
Developer(s) Polyarc
Publisher(s) Polyarc
Director(s) Argus Hulin
Designer(s) Joshua Stiksma
Programmer(s) Mike Felice
Artist(s) Mike Jensen
Writer(s) Shauna Sperry
Composer(s) Jason Graves
Engine Unreal Engine 4
Unreal Engine 5 (PS5)
Platform(s)
Release
  • PlayStation 4
  • March 31, 2022
  • Meta Quest 2
  • July 21, 2022
  • Windows
  • October 20, 2022
  • PlayStation 5
  • February 22, 2023
Genre(s) Adventure, puzzle
Mode(s) Single-player

Moss: Book II is a 2022 virtual reality adventure game developed and published by American video game development studio Polyarc. A sequel to Moss , the game follows Quill as she ventures though the land to battle the arcane to save the land of Moss. Moss: Book II was released in March 2022 for PlayStation 4 via PlayStation VR [1] before receiving Meta Quest 2 and Windows ports later that year. [2] A PlayStation 5 version via PlayStation VR2 was released in February 2023. [3]

Contents

Gameplay

The game is similar to its predecessor, but has some key additions. The player again controllers the Reader, who helps guide Quill through different areas and solve puzzles. The Reader can now create vine bridges and destroy objects by gripping them. Quill now has the ability to climb, allowing for more verticality in the levels, alongside new weapons, like the hammer. The hammer requires the reader to lift it up in the air to hit enemies. [4]

Development

The game was developed by Polyarc. They stated the goal was to create an experience that would take advantage of the medium's strengths and not be able to be replicated "if you played on Steam... on a flat monitor". [5] The team stated that they didn't want to reinvent the formula, making their foundation "Don’t mess up what we figured out for the first one, we landed in a really good spot". [6] According to Polyarc, players frequently said they wanted a bigger world and more variation in environments, and so effort was put into expanding the scope. The game was also designed to be more open, with backtracking through previous areas and collectibles hidden throughout levels. For the Meta Quest 2 port, the team focused on optimizing what materials and shaders were used, with specific cuts being made to maintain performance. Attention was given to making sure the game wouldn't make players motion sick, with the player stationary in the game, and the cuts between different areas relying on a fade to black. Puzzles were designed to not be overly complicated, as to not make the player take off the headset to look up a solution. [6]

Reception

The PlayStation 4 version of Moss: Book II received "generally favorable reviews", and the PlayStation 5 version received "universal acclaim", according to Metacritic. [7] [8]

Road to VR enjoyed the visual improvements over the game's predecessor, saying that, "Each segment is a beautifully detailed diorama with masterful attention to lighting and composition". [17] Android Central liked the bigger scope of Book II, but felt that the PSVR's aging hardware held back the title, with its limited tracking making it difficult to move the controller around. [15] IGN praised the expanded combat options, and the way the new weapons factored into platforming, "Not only does it elevate combat beyond simply swinging a sword, puzzles also use each ability creatively". [12] UploadVR criticized the short length of the title, saying that "the game ends just as its best ideas are starting to be put through their paces, with further potential left unexplored". [18] While Eurogamer felt the addition of only one new enemy type limited the gameplay possiblites, they praised the new additions to the franchise, "the emotional twists and the new gameplay mechanics introduced later on ensured I was left wanting more by the end". [10]

The game won the Best VR/AR Game Award at The Game Awards 2022. [19]

Accolades

DateAwardCategoryResultRef.
8 December 2022 The Game Awards Best VR/AR GameWon [20]
17 January 2023 New York Game Awards Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR GameWon [21]
Central Park Children's Zoo Award for Best Kids GameNominated
24 February 2023 D.I.C.E. Awards Immersive Reality Game of the Year Nominated [22] [23]
Immersive Reality Technical Achievement Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Animation Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition Nominated
25 February 2023 Annie Awards Best Character Animation – Video Game Nominated [24] [25]
23 March 2023 Game Audio Network Guild Awards Best Audio for an Indie GameWon [26]
Best Music for an Indie GameWon
Best Dialogue for an Indie GameWon

Related Research Articles

<i>Job Simulator</i> 2016 video game

Job Simulator: The 2050 Archives, commonly referred to as simply Job Simulator, is a virtual reality simulation video game developed and published by Owlchemy Labs for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2 and Meta Quest 3, in which players participate in comical approximations of real-world jobs. A sequel, Vacation Simulator, was released in 2019.

<i>Batman: Arkham VR</i> 2016 video game

Batman: Arkham VR is a virtual reality adventure video game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 4 and Windows. Based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, it is part of the Batman: Arkham series and the first installment to use virtual reality headsets, allowing players to experience the game world from Batman's perspective. Arkham VR was released worldwide on October 11, 2016, for PlayStation 4 and on April 25, 2017, for Windows for VR headsets.

<i>Moss</i> (video game) 2018 video game

Moss is a virtual reality adventure game developed and published by American video game development studio Polyarc. The game is presented from a blend of first-person and third-person perspectives, with a primary focus on solving puzzles. Moss was released for the PlayStation 4 in February 2018. In June, a PC version featuring high-resolution graphics was released. A PlayStation 5 version was released in February 2023.

<i>Ghost Giant</i> 2019 video game

Ghost Giant is a virtual reality puzzle game developed and published by Zoink for PlayStation VR and Oculus Quest. It was released for PlayStation VR in April 2019 and Oculus Quest in February 2020.

<i>Paper Beast</i> 2020 video game

Paper Beast is a 2020 virtual reality adventure game developed and published by Pixel Reef for PlayStation 4, Windows, and PlayStation 5. The game was created by Éric Chahi, who previously worked on Another World. In the game, players are tasked to navigate a world inhabited by various digital life-forms. It received generally positive reviews upon release. Paper Beast: Folded Edition, a non-VR version of the game, was released on October 20, 2020.

<i>Five Nights at Freddys: Help Wanted</i> 2019 video game

Five Nights at Freddy's: Help Wanted is a 2019 virtual reality survival horror video game developed by Steel Wool Studios and Scott Cawthon. It is an anthology of different minigames based on the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise, where the player must complete tasks without being jumpscared by homicidal animatronic characters. The minigames are composed of virtual reality adaptations of the main entries in the series in addition to several new experiences. Hidden inside the levels are coins that allow the player to unlock collectable objects and cassette tapes that provide insight into the game's metafictional plot.

Townsmen is a city-building video game series developed and published by HandyGames. They generally have feudal settings, and some include combat. The first six games were Java-based. Later entries were released for more platforms, including Windows, PlayStation 5, Android, and iOS, and they do not have any combat.

<i>The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners</i> 2020 video game

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a virtual reality first-person shooter survival horror game for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, and Oculus Rift, developed by Skydance Interactive in partnership with Skybound Entertainment. It is based on the comic book series The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman. Initially released on Steam and Oculus platform on January 23, 2020, it was released on PlayStation VR in May 2020. Additionally, the title was ported to Oculus Quest in October 2020, alongside PICO 4 in January 2023.

<i>Lone Echo II</i> Virtual reality adventure game

Lone Echo II is a 2021 virtual reality adventure game which serves as the sequel to 2017's Lone Echo, both developed by Ready at Dawn and published by Oculus Studios.

<i>Jurassic World Aftermath</i> 2020 video game

Jurassic World Aftermath is a 2020 virtual reality stealth game for the Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2. It is based on the Jurassic Park franchise. It was developed by Coatsink Software and published by Oculus Studios. It takes place on the island of Isla Nublar, two years after the events of the 2015 film Jurassic World. For much of the game, the player is hunted by velociraptors while proceeding through a facility on the island.

<i>Red Matter</i> (video game) 2018 video game

Red Matter is a 2018 sci-fi virtual reality game developed and published by Spanish studio Vertical Robot. The player plays as Agent Epsilon, who crash lands on one of Saturn's moons, Rhea, and goes to explore a nearby military base belonging to the fictional People's Republic of Volgravia. The game received positive reviews from critics, who praised the atmosphere of the environments, but criticized some of the puzzles as being confusing. Red Matter released on May 24, 2018 for Oculus Rift, with versions for the HTC Vive, Oculus Quest, and PlayStation VR launching in November 2018, December 2018, and August 2019, respectively. A sequel, Red Matter 2, was released for Steam VR and Meta Quest 2 on 18 August 2022 and for Playstation VR2 on 18 May 2023.

<i>Gorn</i> (video game) 2019 video game

Gorn is a 2019 virtual reality game developed by Free Lives and published by Devolver Digital. The player is a gladiator who fights opponents to death in arena using weapons at their disposal. The game was launched in early access in 2016, and had a full release on July 18, 2019 for Microsoft Windows. A PlayStation VR version released in 2020 and an Oculus Quest port followed in 2021. An updated version for the PlayStation VR2 was released March 16, 2023.

<i>Pistol Whip</i> 2019 video game

Pistol Whip is a 2019 virtual reality video game developed and published by Cloudhead Games. The game is a stage based shooter where the player automatically moves through the level and has to defeat enemies to the music. The game was released for Oculus Quest and Microsoft Windows on November 7, 2019. A PlayStation 4 port released in July 2020. Since February 2023 it is also supported on the PlayStation 5.

<i>Among Us VR</i> 2022 video game

Among Us VR is a social deduction video game developed by Schell Games, Innersloth, and Robot Teddy. The game is a virtual reality version of Among Us. It was published by Innersloth in November 2022 for Quest 2 and Windows via several SteamVR-supported headsets. A PlayStation 5 version via the PlayStation VR2 was released in December 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PlayStation VR2</span> Virtual reality headset developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment

The PlayStation VR2 is a virtual reality headset for the PlayStation 5 home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment released on February 22, 2023.

<i>The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution</i> 2022 video game

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Chapter 2: Retribution is a virtual reality first-person shooter survival horror game for SteamVR, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR2 and Meta Quest 2. Developed by Skydance Interactive in partnership with Skybound Entertainment, it is a sequel to The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners and based on the comic book series The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman. The game was released in December 2022 for the Meta Quest 2 and PICO 4, while planned for PlayStation VR2 and Steam in March 2023.

<i>The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR</i> 2023 video game

The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR is a rail shooter video game developed and published by Supermassive Games for the PlayStation VR2. It was released on 16 March 2023. It is a spin-off of The Dark Pictures Anthology and features the player riding a horror-themed roller coaster.

<i>Synth Riders</i> Virtual reality rhythm game

Synth Riders is a virtual reality rhythm game developed and published by the Los Angeles-based studio Kluge Interactive. It involves players touching spheres ('notes'), tracing lines ('rails'), and avoiding obstacles that move towards them. Title of the game reflects its connection to the world of music and the stylistic influences of synthwave. The game's immersive experience is enhanced by its incorporation of retro-inspired elements, evident in the soundtrack and overall aesthetic. Following an early access release in July 2018, the game was officially released for Steam VR and Meta Quest on May 21, 2019, and supports most virtual reality headsets including Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Quest 2, Quest 3 and Quest Pro, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR2, HTC Vive, Pico 4, Valve Index and Apple Vision Pro.

References

  1. ↑ "Moss: Book II". PlayStation. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  2. ↑ "Moss: Book II on Oculus Quest". Oculus. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  3. ↑ Romano, Sal (7 December 2022). "Moss and Moss: Book II coming to PlayStation VR2 at launch". Gematsu. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  4. ↑ Bea, Robin (17 March 2022). "'Moss: Book II' is a huge step towards maturity for VR gaming — here's why". Inverse. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  5. ↑ "How Polyarc leveraged Unreal Engine to improve upon 'Moss: Book II'". Unreal Engine. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  6. 1 2 "Moss Book 2 Interview: Design Director Joshua Stiksma & Publishing Director Lincoln Davis". ScreenRant. 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  7. 1 2 "Moss: Book II for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  8. 1 2 "Moss: Book II for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  9. ↑ Colantonio, Giovanni (2022-04-05). "Moss: Book 2 review: Modest VR mouse becomes mighty". Digital Trends . Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  10. 1 2 Higton, Ian (April 8, 2022). "Moss Book 2 review - a fairy-tale goodbye for the PSVR". Eurogamer . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  11. ↑ Wells, Cory (2022-04-05). "Review: Moss: Book II". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
  12. 1 2 Stockdale, Henry (April 6, 2022). "Moss: Book 2 Review". IGN . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  13. ↑ Casey, Siobhan (April 11, 2022). "'Moss: Book 2' review: a spellbinding fairy-tale bursting with VR magic". NME . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  14. ↑ Banas, Graham (April 3, 2022). "Mini Review: Moss: Book II (PSVR) – A Sweet and Wondrous VR Reunion with Mouse Heroine Quill". Push Square . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  15. 1 2 Sutrich, Nicholas (April 8, 2022). "Moss: Book II review: The PSVR's last hurrah is as spectacular as its first". Android Central . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  16. ↑ Morales, Greysun (April 16, 2022). "Moss: Book 2 Review". Game Rant . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  17. 1 2 Lang, Ben (July 21, 2022). "'Moss: Book II' Review – A Refined & Satisfying Sequel That Sticks With What Works". Road to VR . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  18. 1 2 Feltham, Jamie (April 1, 2022). "Moss: Book 2 Review – A Satisfying Sequel That Leaves More Room To Grow". UploadVR . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  19. ↑ The Game Awards (8 December 2022). "Moss: Book II from @polyarcgames takes home the win for Best VR/AR Game! #TheGameAwards". Twitter . Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  20. ↑ Romano, Sal (14 November 2022). "The Game Awards 2022 nominees announced". Gematsu. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  21. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (18 January 2023). "New York Game Awards 2023: Elden Ring Wins Two Awards as Phil Spencer Is Honored". IGN . Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  22. ↑ "26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  23. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (23 February 2023). "DICE Awards 2023 Winners: The Full List". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  24. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (17 January 2023). "Annie Awards Nominations: 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' & 'Marcel The Shell' Lead Field". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  25. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (25 February 2023). "'Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio' Wins Five Trophies Including the Top Prize at the 50th Annie Awards". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  26. ↑ Flam, Charna (March 23, 2023). "'God of War Ragnarök' Leads Game Audio Network Guild Awards With 14 Wins (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.