Moss: Book II
DeveloperPolyarc
EngineUnreal Engine
Platforms
ModesSingle-player
PublisherPolyarc
Released
  • PlayStation 4
  • March 31, 2022
  • Meta Quest 2
  • July 21, 2022
  • Windows
  • October 20, 2022
  • PlayStation 5
  • February 22, 2023
  • Moss: The Forgotten Relic
  • TBA
GenreAdventure, puzzle
DesignerJoshua Stiksma
ArtistMike Jensen
ProgrammerMike Felice
ComposerJason Graves
WriterShauna Sperry
DirectorArgus Hulin

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]

A remade version of Moss: Book II will be bundled with its predecessor in a compilation titled Moss: The Forgotten Relic. It will be released as a flat-screen game for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Windows.[4]

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.[5]

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".[6] 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".[7] 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.[7]

Reception

The PlayStation 4 version of Moss: Book II received "generally favorable reviews", and the PlayStation 5 version received "universal acclaim", according to Metacritic.[8][9]

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".[10] 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.[11] 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".[13] 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".[14]

The game won the Best VR/AR Game Award at The Game Awards 2022.[15]

Accolades

DateAwardCategoryResult
December 8, 2022The Game AwardsBest VR/AR Game[16]
January 17, 2023New York Game AwardsConey Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game[17]
Central Park Children's Zoo Award for Best Kids Game
February 24, 2023D.I.C.E. AwardsImmersive Reality Game of the Year[18][19]
Immersive Reality Technical Achievement
Outstanding Achievement in Animation
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
February 25, 2023Annie AwardsBest Character Animation – Video Game[20][21]
March 23, 2023Game Audio Network Guild AwardsBest Audio for an Indie Game[22]
Best Music for an Indie Game
Best Dialogue for an Indie Game

References

  1. ^ "Moss: Book II". PlayStation. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  2. ^ "Moss: Book II on Oculus Quest". Oculus. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  3. ^ Romano, Sal (December 7, 2022). "Moss and Moss: Book II coming to PlayStation VR2 at launch". Gematsu. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  4. ^ Romano, Sal (2026-05-14). "Moss: The Forgotten Relic announced for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. Retrieved 2026-05-15.
  5. ^ Bea, Robin (March 17, 2022). "'Moss: Book II' is a huge step towards maturity for VR gaming — here's why". Inverse. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "How Polyarc leveraged Unreal Engine to improve upon 'Moss: Book II'". Unreal Engine. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  7. ^ "Moss Book 2 Interview: Design Director Joshua Stiksma & Publishing Director Lincoln Davis". ScreenRant. July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  8. ^ "Moss: Book II for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  9. ^ "Moss: Book II for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Stockdale, Henry (April 6, 2022). "Moss: Book 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  13. ^ Feltham, Jamie (April 1, 2022). "Moss: Book 2 Review – A Satisfying Sequel That Leaves More Room To Grow". UploadVR. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  14. ^ Higton, Ian (April 8, 2022). "Moss Book 2 review - a fairy-tale goodbye for the PSVR". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  15. ^ The Game Awards (December 8, 2022). "Moss: Book II from @polyarcgames takes home the win for Best VR/AR Game! #TheGameAwards". Twitter. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  16. ^ Romano, Sal (November 14, 2022). "The Game Awards 2022 nominees announced". Gematsu. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  17. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (January 18, 2023). "New York Game Awards 2023: Elden Ring Wins Two Awards as Phil Spencer Is Honored". IGN. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  18. ^ "26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  19. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (February 23, 2023). "DICE Awards 2023 Winners: The Full List". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived February 24, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  20. ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 17, 2023). "Annie Awards Nominations: 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio' & 'Marcel The Shell' Lead Field". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  21. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 25, 2023). "'Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio' Wins Five Trophies Including the Top Prize at the 50th Annie Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  22. ^ Flam, Charna (March 23, 2023). "'God of War Ragnarök' Leads Game Audio Network Guild Awards With 14 Wins (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived March 24, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 24, 2023.