Moss Book II review: Quill is good to hand over the PS VR

In 2018, the small Polyarc studio stood out with the eminently sympathetic Moss, a VR game led by mustachioed heroine Quill. Four years later, the adorable mouse is back to resume his adventures alongside the player/Reader. Without further ado, place to the test of the aptly named Moss: Book II.

Moss Book II review: Quill is good to hand over the PS VR See the priceRead the conclusionMoss: Book II

Welcome new content
Fully dubbed in Spanish
An honest life...

A few frustrating passages
The technique of PS VR begins to be felt
... but a slightly high price

Test conducted on PS VR on a PS4 Pro using code provided by the publisher. Moss: Book II is available exclusively (for now) on Sony's headphones since March 31, 2022.

Moss: Book II picks up right where the first book left off. Don't panic for newcomers or those with failing memory, a summary of previous events is there before you start. After saving his uncle and defeating the snake Sarffog, the adventure is far from over for Quill. She and the player are simply going to have to save the world of Moss from destruction.

The central concept, the graphics engine, the main controls… basically nothing changes. It is clear that Polyarc wants above all to continue its adventure without distorting it. It is therefore always a question of a mixture of action and puzzles, in environments where the player takes advantage of an aerial and side view to best guide Quill and interact with the decor and objects.

Luckily, the studio didn't just extend the story. In addition to new enemies that are harder to beat or that can be used to solve puzzles, the little mouse now has several weapons and an inventory system (not ideal to use unfortunately) to switch from one to another. His sword is still there and now allows you to dash forward, while a hammer and disks allow you to overcome certain opponents and especially to resolve certain situations.

This greater variety in the tools makes it possible to break a little the routine of the fights (in particular on the bosses, more numerous), but especially to the developers to propose more interesting puzzles where it will be necessary to alternate between its weapons to advance. In addition, the Reader also has a new ability, allowing to grow vegetation to create passages.

Soft cheese and tender heart

Don't panic: whether it's the fights or the moments of reflection, Moss: Book II is still not a very difficult game. The objective is above all to allow any player to enjoy his story.

There are still some passages of puzzles that will require a little agility with the fingers and a sense of timing, while Quill is not always perfect to handle. We would have particularly appreciated a button dedicated to dodging (and not on the same as that of jumping), while certain passages leave little room for error on the jump side and can be a little annoying.

Fortunately these moments are quite rare and less present than in the first opus, and difficult to be blocked as the visual clues are well placed. Without forgetting that Quill will mime the player the procedure to follow if necessary. Despite everything, the game does not take the players by the hand too much and will often leave them to fend for themselves by looking for possible interactions.

JVFR

Platinum records

In this sequel, Polyarc has also had fun with the environments. More numerous, varied and open, the biomes of the game are more successful (especially the last one which has fun with gravity) and make you want to enjoy it on more efficient hardware than the PS VR. Even if the result is very pleasant as it is thanks to rich decorations and a nice artistic direction, a better resolution screen and arm movements less restricted by the aging and perfectible camera system of Sony's equipment would make it possible to better to profit from.

JVFR

Especially since the adventure is really worth it. Beyond its simple, yet satisfying gameplay, Moss: Book II is as captivating and moving as ever. It's impossible not to melt when Quill spins joyfully, asks the Reader for a high-five, or, conversely, is devastated by a tragic event. The animation of the mouse is perfect and simply makes you want it to exist in real life to give it a tickle.

Music and narration are also not left out to generate emotions. We will also appreciate the presence of a complete VF, even if the English voice is better able to make us vibrate. The sound effects have also been very neat, so much so that turning the page of a book is at the limit of ASMR.

JVFR

Finally, the last positive point, and not the least, is that to properly integrate all this - including some new characters, one of which is surprisingly important -, Polyarc has revised the lifespan upwards (and the price, unfortunately).

Count a little over 6 hours to see the end credits, and add an hour or two depending on your speed and if you want to find all the hidden elements (dust and parchments) in the previous levels, where access can be blocked until Quill has the correct weapon.

JVFR

We would also have appreciated that these elements unlock bonuses, like the armor that the mouse can find in hidden rooms, and equip. Similarly, a little more risk-taking on the level design would have been appreciated beyond the last level. Maybe for Moss: Book III?

Moss: Book II: the opinion of JVFR

Whether you've played Moss before or not, Moss: Book II has you covered. In any case, if you like titles combining puzzles that are not too convoluted, simple action (if you are looking for a challenge, you are in the wrong place) and stories and characters capable of making you go from a big silly smile to wet eyes in a few seconds. VR game sequels are rare, and Polyarc made no mistake in deciding to (re)try the adventure despite everything.

Moss: Book II

Richer, longer, more varied and still just as effective, Moss: Book 2 is once again an adventure more than recommended for players equipped with a PS VR (pending its very likely release elsewhere afterwards). Impossible not to be sad to leave Quill and the world of Moss once the end credits are in front of your eyes as the few hours at his side work.