Rusted Moss is Hollow Knight with a bungee cord

In Metroidvanias, it’s often about the destination, not the journey.

You might find a new upgrade or a new area that you haven’t seen before, and that’s exciting, but the path you chose to get there involves a lot of running and jumping, which isn’t very interesting. new examples, such as Ori Games and metroid dreadhas emphasized the importance of speed—that it needs to feel just as satisfying to wander around the world as it does to find a new, shiny piece of treasure.

rusty moss follows the same model, giving you unparalleled control over how you move through its labyrinthine world with the help of a super fun (and nimble!) grappling hook.

Developed by a core team of just three people, rusty moss Offers a twist on fairy folklore with a post-apocalyptic, grungy vibe. The gameplay is as follows And It departs dramatically from the many Metroidvanias that came before it. While it focuses mostly on 2D platforming – a long-standing standard – it also introduces 360 targeting, which is an important element in combat as well as traversal. There’s a reticle constantly on the screen, so you can fire rockets or charged railgun shots in any direction, even if you’re moving. But that dignified person also controls the aim of your grappling hook, which quickly becomes his signature attribute. rusty moss,

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Image: FaxDoc, HappySquare, SunnyDays/Playism

Most video game grappling hooks are predictable when it comes to getting you from one point to another. either they work like hookshots The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Timethat sends you on a straight path to your goal, or they act like grappling beams in super metroidWhich offers more of an Indiana Jones-style swing. rusty mossThe grappling hook is somewhere in the middle. It has real elasticity, which means you’ll be more quickly pulled towards walls that are further away.

several of rusty mossThe platforming puzzles of the game revolve around using the grappling hook in creative ways. In one puzzle, I had to jump off a cliff, fire my grapple in mid-air, and use the speed spurring To launch myself on a very high platform. This required precise timing, not only when I grappled but also when I released it, ensuring that I would not be tied down until I reached maximum velocity on my upward trajectory . Because these interactions aren’t canned, they can lead to frequent moments of trial and error where I was trying to get the angle and timing right. Ultimately nailing the whole equation felt amazing, but if you get easily frustrated by staging puzzles like this, rusty moss Offers a range of accessibility features to help you overcome its more complex challenges.

i’m also impressed by how rusty moss keeps devising new ways to advance in his world, many of which are never fully explained to the player. Some of the weapons at my disposal, like the shotgun and rocket launcher, have their own effect on my physical speed, and I can use them to gain some extra torque or perform difficult jumps. While it seemed intimidating in the beginning, after a few hours I was able to go through in seconds areas that previously took me minutes.

Due to the high skill threshold for mobility devices, the game’s developers have wisely built in a number of speed-running challenges (all optional), allowing truly dedicated fans to show off their remarkable skills. Here’s just one example that blew me away:

rusty mossThe unique mobility options can be overwhelming at first, but for those looking for a unique and challenging spin on the Metroidvania 2D platforming genre, this game may kick you in quicker than you might expect.

there was rust Released on April 12, 2023 windows, the game was reviewed Steam deck. Vox Media is an affiliated partnership. These do not affect editorial content, although Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased through affiliate links. You can find Additional information about Play Gamez’s ethics policy here,