Here at WayTooManyGames we are fans of the Moss games, we absolutely loved the original Moss, as well as Moss: Book II. They are fantastic action/adventure puzzle games with a ton of heart, and an adorable protagonist. Most importantly though, it proved that VR games didn’t just have to be shooting gallery or other first-person perspective games. Moss was clever in how it used VR and they made a traditional third-person adventure, but enhanced it with VR. Not just in the gameplay, but the narrative. It really pulled you into the game being the Reader and teammate of Quill.

The joy and smiles that it would bring whenever Quill would reach out for a high-five after doing something awesome or solving a harder puzzle. Understandably though, VR is still not the massive market it should be and to reach a larger audience, it makes sense to make a flat screen version of them. More people need to play these games, and this is a great way to do it. Moss: The Forgotten Relic includes Moss and its DLC/Expansion Twilight Garden, and as well as Moss: Book II. You’re getting the full story included in the one package and won’t have to wait for the sequel like the rest of us had to.

Good to see you again, friend.

Moss: The Forgotten Relic retains what made the original games so great, but enhancing it a bit. Upgraded visuals, new cinematics, and of course being able to playthrough the games and DLC seamlessly. However, there are a couple things I do want to talk about, but if you want the full thoughts on the originals, I linked them above. The first thing I’d like to talk about the first Moss. While it paved the way for these kind of games for VR, it feels a bit dated nowadays, especially on flatscreen. Because of the limited hardware, a lot of the levels are smaller and more fragmented, with more loading transitions. Unfortunately, that can’t be changed for this edition, and it is noticeable when playing on a traditional format.

Another thing is that the first one is rather short and lacks a bit of depth in combat, gameplay, and items compared to what you would expect from a traditional action adventure. It’s still a wonderful adventure, and I enjoyed playing it again, but it may feel a bit lacking compared to the second. Luckily, the DLC, Twilight Garden, adds a lot of extra combat, puzzles, and items to the game in three different challenge rooms. These are accessed while playing the game, so it does add more to it, but I will say it feels completely different than the base game.

Twilight Garden is a welcome addition that adds more puzzles, combat, and items.

You can tell that Polyarc used more of the puzzle and combat ideas they wanted to do for Moss: Book II in these rooms, so it almost feels like you’re playing a portion of the sequel. They feel a bit out of place compared to the base game, and since you play them in the middle of your adventure, instead of additional content at the end, the difference is drastic compared to the rest of the game. That being said, the additional content is a lot of fun and will certainly add more time to the original game since it is a fairly short one.

Also, the drawback of the first game is that the collectibles don’t actually do anything for you in the game. Collecting the Relic Dust and Fragment Scrolls don’t reward anything in game; they are basically just there for achievements/trophies and for my OCD folks out there. Unfortunately, I played this on Nintendo Switch 2, so I wasn’t even able to unlock those. Playing on the Switch 2 basically means the collectibles in Moss are pointless outside of your own need to want to find them, which is fine as well.

At least in Moss: Book II the Relic Dust will unlock these doors that grant cosmetics.

Luckily, Moss: Book II fixes just about every little issue that is in the first one. It is bigger, levels are more intricate and connected, puzzles are tougher, combat is expanded with multiple weapons and special uses. Boss fights are more of a thing and it’s overall a much more grand adventure compared to Moss’s smaller focused one. It really is a great sequel with just about everything holds up today and on flat screen. It’s an absolute delight, with much more emotion and things at stake.

Now let’s get to the main difference in Moss: The Forgotten Relic, the lack of VR. I will start out by saying that they did a fine job adapting these, and they are still absolutely playable and enjoyable in all the same ways. However, the lack of VR does take away from the charm and visibility of the games. There was something truly special how the game had you bond with Quill You weren’t just playing the game, you were helping and interacting with Quill as a partner. Being there, scanning the areas, high fiving her with motion controls all added to the fantasy setting that the story sets up. It’s literally a driving point of the theme of the game.

Moss: Book II really steps it up with puzzles and multiple weapons that will be used for far more intricate puzzles.

Outside of not feeling as connected to Quill, not being able to peek and look around freely to get better angles on things, left me a bit frustrated at times. Not only is it harder to see certain things, but angles for platforming were a little confusing, and not being able to adjust the camera (or just look around with my head) left me with some frustration. it’s not a deal break by any means, but Moss was made for VR and it’s special in that medium.

Moss: The Forgotten Relic is a really great collection of some of the best VR action/adventure games out there. They have heart, whimsy, partnership, and joy. I do absolutely recommend playing these games. However, if you do have a VR headset or access to one, I still recommend playing those versions as it adds so much more to the experience. That being said, if you don’t have VR, Moss: The Forgotten Relic is the best way to get in and help Quill save Moss.

Moss: The Forgotten Relic is available now on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Reviewed on Nintendo Switch 2.

A copy of Moss: The Forgotten Relic was provided by the publisher.