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I like playing VR games more in theory than do I in practice, which is exactly why I'm so pleased to see that Moss: The Forgotten Relic is part of the Steam Next Fest line-up this year, and has a free demo you can play right now (check out our Steam Next Fest guide for more)! I've always had a soft spot for developer Polyarc's tiny mouse hero, Quill, and this re-release that collects together the first two Moss games in a non-VR package makes it much easier to recommend for those who haven't shelled out for virtual reality headwear just yet, or who can't always be bothered to set it up (guilty!).
The original Moss first released for PlayStation VR in 2018, a couple of years into the system's lifespan – but I remember it being one of the first to really sell me on the idea that it could support full game experiences (alongside Resident Evil 7 and Astro Bot, if you were curious). Peering into a tiny world of fantasy animals, Quill needs my help as a headset-wearing invisible force to help her with her across two games worth of action-adventure questing: performing light platforming, solving puzzles elements, and the odd bit of sword-swinging. Going hands-on with the upcoming Moss: The Forgotten Relic, I'm charmed at how well the experience translates into non-VR.
Head free
Moss: The Forgotten Relic's approach to moving from virtual reality onto a flat screen is to not change too much at all – and I think that's a great move for ensuring that the experience still feels like the adventure I already know and love. While playing with a controller and simply looking at my monitor, I can still tell Moss was originally designed for virtual reality – but by accepting that context I'm able to enjoy my demo that takes place partway through Moss 2 for what it is.
In fact, that original VR design gives Moss: The Forgotten Relic a unique feeling texture. Controlling Quill directly, the camera still gives you room-wide views, shifting to track Quill as you continue to hover over the action as you did in the original. The almost-fixed camera works better than I expected, only occasionally do I miss the ability to properly stick my head in and poke around – but this is a well done adaptation. Likewise, it feels a bit odd without a VR headset strapped on that Quill's journey has to load so many rooms in a row – which made more sense for simply having to shift perspective in its original iteration. But, I get used to it quickly.
Similarly, I still have to reach into the environment directly to help Quill out. From dragging platforms into place, holding enemies still to give her an edge in combat, or to pull them onto timed switches, I now control a glowing circle with the analogue stick instead of my VR controller of choice (you can also use a mouse – which feels appropriate).
It's easy enough to use Moss: The Forgotten Relic's new control scheme even when things get hectic with some hammer-based armored combat towards the end of my hands-on. But, the full game even promises a 'skip combat' option for those more endeared to seeing Quill's fantastical journey through Moss' ruined kingdom than having a scrap.
Without the extra immersion of VR, alongside the novelty it provides, there's absolutely the chance that Moss: The Forgotten Relic will feel like too lightweight an adventure for some. There is a slight detachment inherent in how this faithfully takes the VR elements into non-VR, and it can make Moss feel a bit simplistic in a way that it avoids with the headset on. But, that doesn't mean I think it's not well worth taking Quill's tiny hand to experience it this way instead. I'd hesitate to call this non-VR take lesser, it's just different – and if you can rock with (or maybe even fall in love with) how this faithfully adapts the VR adventure into a non-VR form, there's a wonderful fantasy tale to be had here. Moss: The Forgotten Relic releases on PC on July 16.
Check out our best VR games list if you'd rather have a new adventure while keeping your headset on!
