Overview
Moss: Book II is the sequel to Moss (2018), developed and published by Polyarc. The original Moss won Best VR/AR Game at The Game Awards 2018 and introduced Quill — a tiny, courageous mouse navigating a beautifully realised storybook world — to widespread critical and audience acclaim. Book II picks up immediately after the events of the first, with Quill now being hunted by the Arcane, who seek the powerful Glass she carries. The sequel was released for PSVR in March 2022, Meta Quest 2 in July 2022, PCVR in October 2022, and PSVR2 in February 2023. It won Best VR/AR Game at The Game Awards 2022, making Polyarc the rare studio to win the award for both games in a series.
The core experience is unchanged from the first: you play as "the Reader," a disembodied presence looking down at diorama-scale environments as Quill navigates from left to right across beautifully detailed scenes. When a new scene begins, you hear the sound of a page turning, and a new landscape appears. You control Quill directly through your controllers while simultaneously manipulating the environment with your other hand — moving objects, activating mechanisms, creating vine bridges. The two roles — direct control of Quill and environmental manipulation — must be coordinated simultaneously, which is the game's central satisfaction.
What Book II Adds Over the Original
Book II introduces Quill's new climbing ability, allowing vertical exploration across castle walls and ceiling sections not possible in the first game. She also wields a hammer alongside her sword, enabling new combat and puzzle interactions. The player gains two new powers: creating vine bridges to span gaps, and gripping and destroying objects by squeezing the controller. Six realms span the Arcane's hexed castle, each with distinct visual design. Road to VR praised the "upped visual ante" with "beautifully detailed dioramas with masterful attention to lighting and composition." The PSVR2 version adds 4K resolution and haptic feedback through the Sense controllers, described by The Effect as "breathing new life into the world."
Six Realms of the Arcane Castle
Each realm has a distinct visual palette and introduces new environmental mechanics. The game concludes with two boss fights that Road to VR described as "expertly staged" and "a much stronger climax" than the original.
The Bond with Quill
One of VR's Most Beloved Characters
Quill is exceptional among VR protagonists. She communicates entirely through gesture and expression — no spoken dialogue — yet generates an emotional connection that multiple reviewers described as unexpectedly powerful. Gaming Nexus: "I never thought I could get so emotionally attached to an adorable mouse like Quill." In Book II, opportunities to interact with Quill are expanded: she offers her paw for a high-five, reacts to your presence with surprise and delight, and expresses fear, determination, and joy through animation that Polyarc refined significantly from the first game. The interplay between controlling Quill and being her partner — rather than simply playing as her — is the defining emotional innovation of the Moss series in VR.
Character / emotional bond
9.6
Puzzle / combat design
7.8
Price and Duration Note
Moss: Book II costs $40 and takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete. 6DOF Reviews noted honestly: "the gameplay is fun throughout but not particularly challenging. If there's anything really wrong with Moss: Book 2 it's that it's priced as a full standalone title when it really feels like a great DLC." Road to VR was more generous. The quality is undisputed — The Game Awards don't lie — but teachers and school buyers should weigh the price against the duration honestly. Playing the original Moss first (separately priced) significantly enriches the Book II narrative.
What Critics Say
Gaming Nexus (PSVR2)Must Play
"Moss Book II is without a doubt a must play title for virtual reality fans. Polyarc has done an outstanding job and I never thought I could get so emotionally attached to an adorable mouse like Quill. An immersive world and lovable main character are the cherries on top of what is a solid VR puzzle-action-platformer game."
Road to VRRecommended
"Polyarc has refined the best parts of the game to deliver a satisfying direct continuation of Quill's story. Polyarc has upped the visual ante, even against the already impressive scenes of the first game. Each segment is a beautifully detailed diorama with masterful attention to lighting and composition."
TheEffect.net (PSVR2)Highly Positive
"Lightning struck twice for Polyarc with Moss: Book II following on the same fan and critical adoration as its first instalment, even going on to win 'Best VR Game' at 2022's Game Awards."
6DOF Reviews (Quest 2)Honest Nuance
"Moss: Book 2 is a worthy successor to Moss. The graphics, animations, voice acting, and music score are all wonderful, even if the plot is forgettable. If you enjoyed the first, you'll enjoy the sequel."
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- The Game Awards Best VR/AR Game 2022
- Quill is one of VR's most beloved characters — emotional bond is genuine
- Six visually distinct realms across the Arcane Castle
- New abilities expand gameplay vs. the original
- PSVR2 version: 4K, haptic feedback, DualSense integration
- Available on Quest, Steam, PSVR, PSVR2, Switch (via Forgotten Relic)
- Everyone rating — all ages
- Two boss fights provide stronger climax than the original
Considerations
- $40 feels steep for 5-6 hours — 6DOF called it "great DLC priced as a full game"
- Benefits greatly from playing original Moss first (additional cost)
- Gameplay not particularly challenging for experienced players
- Plot described as "forgettable" by some reviewers despite strong character work
