Rusted Moss is a twin-stick shooter metroidvania where you sling around the map with your grapple, blasting your way through witches and rusted machine monstrosities alike. This wasteland once harboring mankind has since fallen, and Fae long forgotten now knock on humanity's door...
The game's unique grappling hook system stands out as the highlight of the gameplay. Rather than a traditional grappling hook, the player's companion Puck acts as a physics-based bungee cord. Mastering the nuanced control of this unconventional traversal tool is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Reviewers liken the feeling to Umihara Kawase, where the momentum-based swinging and launching takes time to learn but becomes fluid and empowering once the player's skills develop.
The grappling hook enables a free-flowing, vertical style of exploration. Progression often depends more on honing one's ability to creatively use the grappling hook to access new areas rather than finding upgrades. The level design provides numerous optional challenges and sequence breaking opportunities that push players to push the limits of their grappling hook skills.
While the grappling hook is the core focus, the combat also stands out as a strength. The variety of unique weapons allows players to experiment and find their preferred playstyle. Boss fights, in particular, are praised as engaging challenges that require mastery of both the combat and movement systems. Reviewers describe the bosses as having complex attack patterns that demand precise aiming and evasion.
The game is acknowledged as challenging, especially in mastering the grappling hook mechanics. However, the inclusion of accessibility options allows players to adjust the difficulty to their preference. This makes the core experience approachable for both skilled and casual players, while still providing a satisfying sense of progression and mastery for those who invest the time to conquer the game's demanding challenges.
Underlying the entire experience is a strong sense of momentum and progression. As players become more skilled with the grappling hook, they describe feeling a constant drive to explore new areas and discover new ways to leverage their growing abilities. The game's open-ended structure and lack of arbitrary upgrades allow players to forge their own path, creating a strong feeling of personal investment and achievement.