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Moss: The Forgotten Relic

Moss: The Forgotten Relic

Polyarc, Blackbird Interactive · released Jul 15, 2026

ActionAdventureIndiePCPlayStation 5Xbox Series X, Xbox OneNintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2

Moss: The Forgotten Relic is an emotional and atmospheric adventure set in the pages of a living storybook, brimming with myth and ancient magic. Guide a tiny but determined hero on a heartfelt journey of challenge, courage, and connection.

83
VGC Score
Stablemedium confidence
84%
At launch
93%
Steam all-time
80%
Press
94%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)8078
All-time Steam reviews93%87161
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)94%8938
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 89 reviews sampled · 109 total reviews in window · weighted 65.1 up / 4 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (42)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 80
    trust 87Jul 14, 2026

    Moss: The Forgotten Relic weaves enchanting storytelling with satisfying action, creating an indie gem that genuinely tugs at your heartstrings. That’s the TBB Curator blurb and it holds, but the more precise framing is this: Moss was a VR masterpiece, and The Forgotten Relic is a very good flatscreen adaptation of a VR masterpiece. Those are different things, and which one you’re getting depends entirely on what you’re bringing to it. If you’ve never played Moss and don’t own VR: buy this. Two acclaimed games, all the DLC, twenty dollars, a mouse you will absolutely become emotionally attached to, and one of the most distinctive presentations in the medium. Use a controller. Pet the mouse. If you’ve never played Moss and do own VR: play it in VR. This version is good and that version is extraordinary. If you’ve played Moss in VR and are considering this: you’ll enjoy revisiting it, the bubble controls on the right stick are a genuine improvement over motion controls, and Book II being bundled in is worth it on its own. Just know going in that you’re returning to a world you used to be able to sit inside.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 79Jul 14, 2026

    Moss: The Forgotten Relic is the perfect way to play Moss if you don’t have a PSVR headset and you’ve been wanting to try Moss ever since its 2018 debut. The Forgotten Relic is billed as the definitive experience, and I agree. The original 2018 Moss is great but way too short; I finished playing it in about 2.5 hours, and the story ends abruptly. Moss: Book II spends more time on plot and weaving in levels, and together, they feel like the complete game. Fans of environmental puzzles, delightful character design, and straightforward combat will love Moss: The Forgotten Relic. But if you don’t like those things, then you won’t like Moss, even though the mouse is really, really cute.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 78Aug 7, 2026

    Moss: The Forgotten Relic stays true to the original, offering charming animations, interesting puzzles, and pleasing visuals. So it's still enjoyable to support the mouse Quill even without a VR headset.

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  • 80
    trust 78Jul 26, 2026

    Charming platformers that didn't lose their appeal after the disappearance of VR requirements. The main drawback is that the second game is much better than the first one, but it doesn't mean that you won't have fun playing both of them.

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  • 100
    trust 77Aug 2, 2026

    Moss redefines the concept of interactive play. The smooth transition from cutscenes to gameplay, along with its stunning art design, fully immersed me in the world, allowing me to explore it as if I were right beside Quill. The gameplay flows effortlessly with a controller, and the combat elements introduce a sense of urgency without being overwhelming. I highly recommend Moss to anyone who loves platformers with plot twists, light combat, and an adorable mouse companion!

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  • 80
    trust 76Jul 21, 2026

    Moss: The Forgotten Relic loses some of the immersive wonder that made its VR origins so memorable, but its charming world, clever puzzles and lovable heroine shine through. Shallow combat and limited enemy variety are bugbears, but don't detract too much from a breezy, beautifully presented adventure-puzzler that deserves a wider audience.

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  • 78
    trust 71Jul 29, 2026

    Moss: The Forgotten Relic successfully adapts its charming fairy-tale adventure beyond virtual reality, supported by a lovable heroine, enjoyable environmental puzzles, beautiful locations, and a wonderful soundtrack. Some mechanics lose impact without VR, while repetition and camera issues occasionally frustrate, but it remains a delightful and worthwhile family-friendly experience.

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  • 80
    trust 70Jul 14, 2026

    Moss: The Forgotten Relic doesn't completely replace the virtual reality experience. The absence of a headset reduces the sense of presence, makes exploration more direct, and weakens some of the closeness between the reader and Quill. It also highlights the simplicity of the first book, especially in its combat and the low variety of enemies. Even so, the charm remains. Quill continues to be an extremely charismatic protagonist, the world retains its visual identity, and the relationship between character and player still produces moments capable of bringing a smile. When Book II enters the scene, the adventure gains more variety, better puzzles, bosses, and a more elaborate narrative.

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  • 75
    trust 69Jul 14, 2026

    The original game cuts off somewhat unceremoniously so being able to immediately swap over to Book II greatly improves that element of the presentation. The move to non-VR displays clearly hasn't been the easiest for a game so inherently built for VR. And even with that in mind, there are some clear areas where this misses the mark. Still, if you can get past the awkward moments, the Switch 2 makes a great window through which you The Reader can go along with this little mouse on her tiny adventure.

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  • 90
    trust 68Jul 14, 2026

    The transition to standard screens has done nothing to limit just how pretty this world is. Moss is gorgeous and really nails the sense of scope and scale we feel as an outsider looking down into a tiny world. I was just as hooked playing through this collection as I was when they released in VR. I sincerely hope that Moss finds its audience with this release. The world of Moss is rife with potential. Quill is about as endearing a main character as there is and there is room for so much more. Polyarc have done a wonderful job translating a VR experience to standard screens and deserve a ton of love for doing so.

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  • 85
    trust 68Jul 14, 2026

    Moss: The Forgotten Relic takes players on a magical journey carried by its endearing protagonist Quill. Evoking children’s fairy tale books in the best of ways, it feels like the definitive way for kids and adults to experience such a rich story.

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  • 80
    trust 67Jul 14, 2026

    Moss: The Forgotten Relic is by no means a bad way to step in as Quill’s companion, even though virtual reality literally adds a new dimension to the gameplay. Both games are entertaining, thrilling, and beautiful adventures that are a joy to play through on a traditional screen as well. It's a good version of a great game, the new camera angles work well, and the sharper textures highlight the detailed world. All in all, a fantastic two-part adventure!

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…and 30 more tracked reviews.

Patch history