Moss: Book II

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Moss: Book II
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
EngineUnreal 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]

Gameplay[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Date Award Category Result Ref.
8 December 2022 The Game Awards Best VR/AR Game Won [20]
17 January 2023 New York Game Awards Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game Won [21]
Central Park Children's Zoo Award for Best Kids Game Nominated
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 Game Won [26]
Best Music for an Indie Game Won
Best Dialogue for an Indie Game Won

References[edit]

  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. ^ a b "Moss Book 2 Interview: Design Director Joshua Stiksma & Publishing Director Lincoln Davis". ScreenRant. 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  7. ^ a b "Moss: Book II for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  8. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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.
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