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

Metroidvanias are often about destinations rather than journeys.

You’ll find new upgrades and new areas you’ve never explored before, and that’s exciting, but the path to get there isn’t very fun, just running and jumping. Metroid Dreadthat moving around the world should feel just as satisfying as finding new shiny treasures.

rusty moss follows the same model, offering unparalleled control over how you navigate a maze-like world with the help of a very fun (and nifty!) grappling hook.

Developed by a core team of just three people, rusty moss Post-apocalyptic and grungy, it puts a twist on fairy folklore.Here’s the gameplay for both and It differs dramatically from many Metroidvanias that came before it. It mainly focuses on 2D platforming (a long-standing standard), but also introduces 360-degree aiming. This is a key component of combat and traversal. A reticle is always visible on the screen, allowing you to fire rockets or charge his railgun shots in any direction while on the move. But that reticle also controls the aiming of the grappling hook. rusty moss.

Grappling hooks in most video games are fairly predictable as they move from one point to another.Or works like hookshot Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, will send you on a direct path to the target.Or they act like grappling beams super metroidoffering a more Indiana Jones-style swing. rusty moss‘s grappling hook is somewhere in the middle. It has true resilience so it will be dragged towards far walls faster.

lots of rusty moss‘s platforming puzzle revolves around using the grappling hook in creative ways. One puzzle required you to jump off a cliff, launch a grapple in the air, and use that momentum. germination to launch itself onto a much higher platform. Requires precise timing not only when firing grapples, but also when releasing them so that they are not bound to reach maximum velocity on an upward trajectory. These interactions are not stylized, so there can often be moments of trial and error, trying to get the angles and timings just right. I felt it, but if you’re the type who gets easily annoyed by platforming puzzles like this, rusty moss provides many accessibility features to help you overcome more thorny challenges.

I was also impressed with the method rusty moss It continues to accompany new ways to navigate its world, many of which are never fully explained to the player. Some of the weapons I have at my disposal, such as shotguns and rocket launchers, have their own impact on my physical momentum. These can be used to gain extra torque or lift on tricky jumps. This seemed intimidating early on, but after a few hours I was able to move through areas in seconds that previously took minutes.

Due to the high skill cap of mobility tools, the game’s developers have wisely included a number of speedrun challenges (all optional) to allow truly dedicated fans to show off their prowess. Here’s an example that surprised me.

rusty moss‘s unique mobility options may be overwhelming at first, but for those looking for a unique and rewarding spin on the Metroidvania 2D platforming genre, the game may become addictive sooner than expected. yeah.

rusty moss Released April 12, 2023 Windows. game is vapor deck. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not affect editorial content, but Vox Media may earn commissions on products purchased via affiliate links.discoverable Additional information on Polygon’s Ethics Policy can be found here.