It's no secret that the indie space is somewhat overcrowded with Metroidvania titles. The runaway success and critical acclaim of Hollow Knight helped the action platformer subgenre experience a massive surge in popularity and anticipation for Hollow Knight: Silksong is at an all-time high. Perhaps seeking to strike while the iron is hot, several indie developers have crafted their own Metroidvania titles, with not all of them created equally in terms of recapturing what made Hollow Knight special. Rusted Moss, which was released this past week on Steam, is one of the rare Metroidvania titles that has both its action and platforming "click" in a way similar to Hollow Knight.
Rusted Moss is a hybrid Metroidvania and twin-stick shooter developed as a collaboration between Happy Squared, Sunnydaze, and Faxdoc. The unique traversal mechanic that sets it apart from scores of other Metroidvania titles is the game's use of a grappling hook attached to a bungee cord, calling to mind a more modern version of the movement from NES classic Bionic Commando. The use of the grappling hook proves itself to be one of the most satisfying elements of the gameplay but also features a steep learning curve, rewarding players that master the game's traversal mechanics akin to Hollow Knight.
Rusted Moss' Grappling Mechanic is its Primary Hook
A Metroidvania can live or die by the strength of its platforming and traversal. While combat is an important component of a good Metroidvania, the protagonist has to feel satisfying to play as and navigate the world with. With a genre that is predicated on exploring large and interconnected maps, playable characters in the best Metroidvania games often have abilities that aid in movement while also providing their own unique spin on how characters facilitate that movement. If Metroid is partially defined by Samus' Morph Ball and Space Jump, Rusted Moss is defined by the main character Fern's grappling hook.
The success of Rusted Moss' grappling hook mechanic rests in the game's flexibility regarding the key bindings players assign for its use. Whether using a gamepad or keyboard and mouse, the grappling hook's controls can be customized to player preference. This is hugely important given how tricky the grappling hook mechanic can be at first. However, much like Hollow Knight's best spells and abilities used to navigate the game's most difficult platforming challenges, dedication to mastering the movement of the grappling hook opens up the opportunity to push players' skills to their limit in hopes of obtaining securely tucked away upgrades.
Rusted Moss' Gameplay, Narrative, and Atmosphere Coalesce Into a Top-Tier Metroidvania
In addition to the grappling hook mechanic, the twin-stick shooting of Rusted Moss is satisfying and great to control. There are a variety of guns to choose from and each has its own advantages and disadvantages in combat. Another area that is a highlight of Rusted Moss is its intriguing narrative, which sees the age of men coming to a close as the Fae seek to reclaim the planet from humans. Fans of Hollow Knight's melancholic story and sense of mystery surrounding the plot will find much to love here.
One of the things that made Hollow Knight so beloved in the eyes of players and has cemented its sequel Hollow Knight: Silksong as a highly anticipated game of 2023 is the way that each of the game's disparate parts come together. The gameplay of Hollow Knight isn't the only draw for fans, but rather the combination of tight platforming and combat with a weighty atmosphere, beautiful score, and compelling presentation. While most Metroidvania titles might have some of these parts present in their DNA, the best ones see all of these elements working in concert to create something incredible. Rusted Moss is one of these titles.
Rusted Moss is out now on PC.