Rusted Moss combines Hollow Knight, Metroid, and a grappling hook

In Metroidvanias, it’s typically in regards to the vacation spot, not the journey.

You may discover a new improve or a brand new space you haven’t explored earlier than, and that’s thrilling, however the path you took to get there simply concerned a whole lot of working and leaping, which isn’t terribly attention-grabbing. Newer examples, just like the Ori video games and Metroid Dread, have emphasised the significance of motion — that it must really feel as satisfying to maneuver around the globe because it does to discover a new, shiny piece of treasure.

Rusted Moss follows that very same mannequin, providing you with unparalleled management over the way you progress by way of its labyrinthian world with the assistance of a brilliant enjoyable (and sproingy!) grappling hook.

Developed by a core staff of simply three individuals, Rusted Moss gives a twist on fairy folklore, with a post-apocalyptic, grungy vibe. The gameplay each follows and dramatically departs from the various Metroidvanias that got here earlier than it. Whereas it principally focuses on 2D platforming – a long-held normal – it additionally introduces 360 aiming, a vital component in fight in addition to traversal. There’s continually a reticle on the display, letting you fireplace off rockets or charged railgun photographs in any path, even when you’re transferring. However that reticle additionally controls the aiming of your grappling hook, which shortly turns into the signature characteristic of Rusted Moss.

Picture: faxdoc, happysquared, sunnydaze/Playism

Most online game grappling hooks are fairly predictable in relation to getting you from one level to a different. Both they act just like the hookshot in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which sends you on a direct path to your goal, or they act just like the grappling beam in Tremendous Metroid, which gives extra of an Indiana Jones-style swing. Rusted Moss’s grappling hook is someplace within the center. It has true elasticity, which implies that you’ll be dragged extra shortly towards partitions which might be farther away.

Lots of Rusted Moss’s platforming puzzles revolve round using the grappling hook in artistic methods. In a single puzzle, I needed to soar off a cliff, fireplace my grapple in mid-air, and use the momentum of the sproing to launch myself onto a a lot larger platform. It required exact timing, not simply when it comes to after I shot the grapple out, however after I launched it, guaranteeing that I wouldn’t nonetheless be tethered by the point I reached most velocity on my upward trajectory. As a result of these interactions are usually not canned, they’ll result in frequent moments of trial and error, the place I used to be making an attempt to get the angle and timing good. Ultimately nailing your complete equation felt wonderful, however in the event you’re the type to get annoyed simply by platforming puzzles like this, Rusted Moss gives various accessibility options that can assist you overcome its extra finicky challenges.

I’m additionally impressed by how Rusted Moss retains nestling in new methods to maneuver by way of its world, a lot of that are by no means totally defined to the participant. A number of of the weapons at my disposal, just like the shotgun and rocket launcher, have their very own influence on my bodily momentum, and I can use them to get some additional torque or carry on a tough soar. Whereas this appeared intimidating early on, after just a few hours I used to be capable of transfer by way of areas in seconds that had beforehand taken me minutes.

Due to the excessive talent ceiling for the mobility instruments, the sport’s builders have properly in-built various speedrunning challenges (all non-obligatory), permitting really devoted followers to point out off their outstanding abilities. Right here’s only one instance that blew me away:

Rusted Moss’s distinctive mobility choices could also be overwhelming at first, however for these in search of a singular and difficult spin on the Metroidvania 2D platforming style, this recreation may get its hook into you quicker than you’d anticipate.

Rusted Moss was launched on April 12, 2023 on Home windows. The sport was reviewed on a Steam Deck. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These don’t affect editorial content material, although Vox Media could earn commissions for merchandise bought through affiliate hyperlinks. You will discover extra details about Polygon’s ethics coverage right here.