Moss Review (PS5 / PSVR2)

Returning with mouse companion Quill to Polyarc’s pretty fantasy world is a delight. Moss is a sport we had been fairly keen on again when it launched in 2018, and it’s solely gotten higher right here. Although the sequel, E-book II, stays the superior title, Moss’ Redwall-esque world and environments are as pretty as ever with PSVR2.

One in all our gripes with the unique was its brief runtime and unfulfilling conclusion, and whereas that continues to be true right here, the inclusion of the ‘Twilight Backyard’ enlargement helps to alleviate a few of these woes. Gameplay stays enjoyable and fascinating, with its distinctive mixture of conventional fight and platforming with Quill, paired with you, as ‘the Reader’, actively exerting affect over the world.

Whereas each are robust in their very own proper, the gameplay actually shines when utilising them collectively. So, it’s good that your affect on the world is the place the improve takes the most important strides. Utilizing the DualShock 4 to regulate Quill felt wonderful, nevertheless it made interacting with the surroundings utilizing movement controls a ache, particularly while you wanted to stay in vary of the PS Digital camera. The PSVR2 Sense Controllers simply treatment this downside, providing massively improved monitoring, in addition to the power to exert affect over a number of issues within the surroundings without delay.

The artwork route was one other robust side at launch, and right here within the upgraded model, issues really feel much more alive, with lighting particularly providing better nuance. The draw distance appears to be like noticeably higher as properly, with environments feeling extra plausible and elaborate as you peek round corners and search for secrets and techniques within the sport’s distinctive diorama method to stage design.

Moderately than rotating the digicam, you are introduced with static areas to navigate each Quill and your self by way of. Very like with the controls, eradicating the shackles of the PS Digital camera permits exploration to be each extra satisfying and simpler: you now not have to fret about shifting your head too far solely to trigger the picture to begin freaking out. As such, the expertise is a way more secure one.

Throwing within the heart-melting cuteness of ASL fluent Quill, a career-best soundtrack from Jason Graves, and an emotionally resonant story, Polyarc’s improve exists to remind you why Moss was one in every of PSVR’s should performs.