VR is an incredible feat of technology. There is no doubt about it. It can let you experience places you may never go to or watch a movie in your own private theater. You can be an epic hero or master marksman all while getting an awesome workout. However, sometimes it’s nice to sit down, relax, and help a mouse save her world.
Using Virtual Reality Unexpectedly
In VR there is a distinct lack of truly amazing story-driven content. Understandably a lot of developers are focused on the “experience” that VR can offer users directly. First-person shooters and horror games litter the landscape, with a massive overlap in zombie shooters. Now don’t get me wrong, I like shooting the undead in the face as much as the next person. However, it makes a game like Moss stand out even more.
In Moss, you play as a mouse named Quill…sort of. The story of Moss paints the player as a guide for Quill that only she can see. The player does control Quill but also helps her solve puzzles, fight enemies, and on occasion, you can stick out a finger and high-five Quill (low-key, my fave part of the game).
It is remarkable how the story makes both the player’s size and presence a part of the narration. Using the 3D that virtual reality allows to make inventive puzzles. Only by working together with Quill and thinking innovatively can you help her on her journey.
One Mouse Against the World
In Moss, Quill longs for adventure, to leave the village she has known her whole life. Heading out on her journey, she meets the player: a guardian and occasional helping hand. Together, you will explore ruins, solve puzzles, and fight enemies. You will meet a magical toad and complete challenges to get new abilities and weapons. It is truly an adventure down to its core.
While the combat can be a bit frustrating at times, the puzzles and platforming make impressive use of the 3D space and the player as a separate character in this world. Moss takes a 3D platformer that could have just been released on consoles like many others have, (see: Mario 3D World, Banjo- Kazooie, etc.) and uses the virtual realm to elevate it to a masterful work of art. Combined with the hauntingly beautiful scenery and stunning, atmospheric background score, Moss is one of the most immersive games I have yet to play in VR.
It is astonishing how good Moss plays and looks. While a game like this on console would probably garner middling reviews, its extraordinary use of space, the player as a character in the story, and lovable hero in Quill raise the entire experience to a must-play for fans of VR and adventure puzzle platformers alike. The pen may be mightier than the sword, but I’ll take a Quill with a sword any day.
