# Moss (video game)

Moss is a virtual reality adventure game developed and published by American video game development studio Polyarc. The game is presented from a blend of first-person and third-person perspectives, with a primary focus on solving puzzles. Moss was released for the PlayStation 4 in February 2018. In June, a PC version featuring high-resolution graphics was released. A PlayStation 5 version was released in February 2023.
A sequel, Moss: Book II, was announced by Polyarc during Sony's State of Play in 2021, and was released on March 31, 2022.

## Plot

While in a library, the reader finds an old book. As they flip through pages, the reader is transported to a fantasy land contained within the book. The reader meets Quill, a young mouse, and begins an adventure. The kingdom where Quill lives has been overthrown by Sarffog, a fire-breathing snake. After Quill's uncle is captured, the reader guides Quill on an adventure to defeat Sarffog and save her uncle.

## Gameplay

Moss is an adventure game viewed from the third-person perspective using the VR (HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, PSVR) headset. The player is shown in the game as a masked face and orb. Unlike most games, Quill is aware of the player (the Reader). The player controls Quill, navigating environments and battling enemies. The player also can manipulate the environment to navigate obstacles and solve puzzles. Quill communicates with the player through the use of American Sign Language (ASL) for puzzle hints and emotional responses.
The player can change positions to have different perspectives of the world, leaning to see around buildings or standing up and getting an aerial view. There are collectible scrolls that only can be found by changing positions and exploring parts of the world that normally cannot be seen.
On May 21, 2019, a free DLC with additional environments, challenges, storytelling, new puzzles, combat, and weaponry was released.

## Reception

Aggregate score :
| Aggregator | Score |
| Metacritic | PS4: 85/100 PC: 81/100 |
Review scores :
| Publication | Score |
| Destructoid | 9/10 |
| Edge | 7/10 |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | |
| Game Informer | 7.75/10 |
| GameSpot | 8/10 |
| IGN | 8.4/10 |
| VentureBeat | 90/100 |
| Digital Trends | 9/10 |
According to Metacritic, Moss has received generally favorable reviews. In reviews, both Digital Trends and VentureBeat praised the interaction with Quill and the world design. Both also stated that the game length was on the short side.
In a 2017 article, Mike Fahey of Kotaku noted the positive response to Quill's design and use of sign language.
On August 3, 2018, video game record label Materia Collective released the soundtrack digitally, as well as on compact disc and vinyl.

### Accolades

| Year | Award | Category | Result |
| 2017 | Game Critics Awards | Best VR Game | Nominated |
| 2018 | The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards | Best Action and Adventure Game | Nominated |
| 2018 | The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards | Best Start-up | Nominated |
| 2018 | Golden Joystick Awards | Best VR Game | Nominated |
| 2018 | Golden Joystick Awards | PlayStation Game of the Year | Nominated |
| 2018 | The Game Awards 2018 | Best VR/AR Game | Nominated |
| 2018 | The Game Awards 2018 | Best Debut Indie Game | Nominated |
| 2018 | Gamers' Choice Awards | Fan Favorite VR Game | Nominated |
| 2019 | New York Game Awards | Central Park Children's Zoo Award for Best Kids Game | Nominated |
| 2019 | New York Game Awards | Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best Virtual Reality Game | Nominated |
| 2019 | 46th Annie Awards | Best Virtual Reality Production | Nominated |
| 2019 | 46th Annie Awards | Character Animation in a Video Game | Nominated |
| 2019 | 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards | Immersive Reality Game of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Animation | Nominated |
| 2019 | 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design | Nominated |
| 2019 | National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards | Control Design, VR | Won |
| 2019 | National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards | Direction in Virtual Reality | Won |
| 2019 | National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards | Sound Mixing in Virtual Reality | Nominated |
| 2019 | SXSW Gaming Awards | VR Game of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | Independent Games Festival Awards | Excellence in Audio | Nominated |
| 2019 | Game Developers Choice Awards | Best Debut (Polyarc) | Nominated |
| 2019 | Game Developers Choice Awards | Best VR/AR Game | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards | Audio of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards | Music of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards | Sound Design of the Year | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards | Best Dialogue | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards | Best Original Instrumental ("Legends Old and New") | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards | Best Original Song ("Home to Me") | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards | Best Sound Design for an Indie Game | Won |
| 2019 | 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards | Best Music for an Indie Game | Won |
| 2019 | 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards | Best VR Audio | Won |
| 2019 | 15th British Academy Games Awards | Game Innovation | Nominated |
| 2019 | 15th British Academy Games Awards | Original Property | Nominated |