- Dual-Control System: Learn to manage the movement of moss the forgotten relic quill while simultaneously manipulating the environment as the Reader.
- No VR Required: This flat-screen remaster combines Moss, Twilight Garden, and Moss: Book II into one cohesive, controller-friendly adventure.
- Combat & Evasion: Combine quick sword strikes, directional dodges, and Reader-assisted healing to survive tough Arcane encounters.
- Environmental Puzzles: Use Reader interactions to move blocks, align platforms, grow vines, and control enemies to clear paths.
- Collectible Tracking: Hunt down Forgotten Fragment Scrolls and breakable Relic Dust containers across all chapters for full completion.
Release, Platforms, and Story Setup
The official launch of Moss: The Forgotten Relic on July 16, 2026, brings the critically acclaimed storybook adventure to flat-screen platforms for the first time. This special release packages the entirety of Moss, the Twilight Garden expansion, and Moss: Book II into a single, seamless package. By removing the VR requirement, players can experience the journey of the brave mouse heroine using standard controller and mouse-and-keyboard setups.
In this reimagined edition, you play a dual role. You control moss the forgotten relic quill, the courageous young mouse destined for greatness, while also acting as the Reader, a powerful, giant presence who can directly manipulate the environment. Together, you must navigate deep forests, ancient temples, and ruined castles to rescue Sir Argus and defeat the spreading Arcane threat. The game features enhanced visuals, handcrafted cinematic transitions, and an intelligent Smart Follow Camera designed to keep the action perfectly framed without requiring VR head tracking.
| Platform | Release Date | Launch Price | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | July 16, 2026 | $19.99 | Windows PC, controller, achievements, cloud saves |
| Steam Deck | July 16, 2026 | $19.99 | Officially Verified, standard purchase works |
| PlayStation 5 | July 16, 2026 | $19.99 | Redesigned controls, new camera, enhanced visuals |
| Xbox Series X/S | July 16, 2026 | $19.99 | Optimized 4K, 60 FPS+, Smart Delivery, cloud saves |
| Nintendo Switch | July 16, 2026 | $19.99 | Digital release, free upgrade to Switch 2 version |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | July 16, 2026 | $19.99 | Native edition, 60 FPS handheld/docked, 10.3 GB |
Players who purchase the digital edition on Nintendo Switch receive a free native upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 version at no additional cost, ensuring smooth performance transition across hardware generations.
moss the forgotten relic quill: Controls & Dual-Playstyle
Navigating the world requires a solid grasp of how to split your attention between your two characters. While Quill handles the immediate platforming and swordplay, the Reader is responsible for lifting heavy blocks, turning gears, and keeping enemies at bay. This cooperative dynamic is the core of the game's design, and mastering it early prevents unnecessary restarts.
The control scheme has been rebuilt to feel natural on standard inputs. On a controller, the left stick guides Quill's physical movements, while the right stick controls the Reader's magical cursor. On PC, players can utilize standard WASD controls alongside precise mouse cursor movements.
| Action | Controller Input | Keyboard & Mouse Input | Mechanic Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quill Move | Left Thumbstick | WASD Keys | Direct movement, climbing, and platforming |
| Quill Attack | Face Button (X/Square) | Left Click | Fast sword swings, combos, and charged strikes |
| Quill Dodge | Face Button (A/Cross) | Spacebar | Evade incoming melee strikes and projectile zones |
| Reader Cursor | Right Thumbstick | Mouse Movement | Hover over interactive objects and Arcane units |
| Reader Interact | Trigger Button (RT/R2) | Right Click | Grab, slide, rotate blocks, heal Quill, hold enemies |
Start with Book I
Begin your adventure by selecting Book I from the main menu. This introductory campaign slowly teaches you the interactive language of the world, allowing you to get comfortable with dual-character controls before the puzzles and combat increase in complexity.
Separate Your Inputs
Practice moving Quill with your left hand while aiming the Reader's cursor with your right hand. Try running across a bridge while simultaneously rotating a platform ahead of you to build muscle memory.
Read the Environment
Look closely at ledges, walls, and pillars. Yellowish scratch marks and worn paint indicate surfaces that Quill can grab, climb, or jump between. If a ledge lacks these markings, it is generally out of reach.
Build the Route First
Before sending Quill rushing into a new room, pause and study the layout. Identify movable blocks, pressure plates, and gates. Position your platforms and blocks ahead of time to minimize platforming errors.
When Quill takes damage, her health does not regenerate automatically. To heal her, guide the Reader cursor over Quill and hold the interaction input. This channels a soothing blue light that restores her health. Always dodge to a safe corner before attempting to heal.
Weapons, Abilities, and Traversal Upgrades
As you progress from Book I through the Twilight Garden and into Book II, Quill's arsenal and the Reader's magical abilities expand significantly. These upgrades are not just for defeating tougher enemies; they are vital tools for solving environmental puzzles and unlocking previously inaccessible areas during backtracking.
Book II in particular introduces weapon-switching mechanics that allow Quill to adapt to different enemy types and puzzle mechanisms on the fly. Learning when to use each weapon and how to combine them with Reader-assisted charges is key to mastering the late-game chapters.
The Sword & Sword Dash
- Primary melee tool available throughout both books.
- Fast close-range combos and sweeping defensive attacks.
- Sword Dash: Charge the sword with Reader assistance to dash across long gaps and strike through lined-up enemies.
The Chakram & Range
- Ranged weapon obtained during Book II.
- Perfect for striking distant targets, switches, and flying enemies.
- Charged Chakram: Throw and lodge the weapon into distant surfaces, then recall it to trigger remote mechanisms.
Cariel's Hammer
- Heavy weapon acquired in the Foundry during Book II.
- Slow, high-impact strikes that break heavy armor and shields.
- Hammer Trap: Position a magical hammer projection that slams down when enemies enter the designated zone.
Acquired in the Sprite Realm during Book II, Nature Attunement allows the Reader to grow climbable ivy and extend plant paths across deep chasms. Always look for dormant green bulbs on walls when exploring, as they indicate hidden vertical paths.
Environmental Puzzle Solutions
Puzzles in Moss: The Forgotten Relic require a cooperative effort between Quill's physical agility and the Reader's environmental manipulation. If you find yourself stuck in a room, the best approach is to identify your final destination, locate the mechanism connected to it, and work backward to find the starting trigger.
Many puzzles utilize the beetle-like Arcane enemies as interactive tools. Instead of defeating every threat immediately, observe their behavior to see if they can assist you in clearing the room.
| Puzzle Type | Core Mechanic | Primary Solution | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movable Block | Object dragging | Drag blocks under marked scratched ledges | Adjust block close to ledge for easier climbing |
| Rotating Platform | Mechanism control | Hold and rotate with Reader while Quill crosses | Keep holding mechanism if it resets automatically |
| Pressure Plate | Weight activation | Drag an Arcane enemy onto the switch plate | Keep holding enemy with Reader so it cannot move |
| Hidden Path | Reveal interaction | Use reveal ability on marked magical areas | Backtrack to early areas once reveal is unlocked |
| Vine Growth | Nature Attunement | Grow climbable ivy to connect vertical walls | Connect roots across gaps to open new pathways |
The Reader can grab and control certain beetle-like Arcane enemies. Once held, you can drag them onto pressure plates to keep gates open or aim their ranged attacks at distant switches that Quill cannot reach.
Collectibles, Secrets, and Chapter Progress
For players looking to fully complete the adventure, the game features a wealth of hidden secrets spread across both books and the Twilight Garden expansion. Finding these items rewards you with beautiful stained-glass artwork, lore fragments, and powerful optional armor sets.
The primary collectibles are Forgotten Fragment Scrolls and Relic Dust. While scrolls are usually hidden in clever camera blind spots, Relic Dust is obtained by breaking barrels, crates, and pots scattered throughout the dioramas.
Completionist Checklist:
- Collect all 31 Forgotten Fragment Scrolls across the six chapters of Book I.
- Locate and enter all three hidden Twilight Garden portals in Book I to earn optional equipment.
- Gather all 48 Stained-Glass Fragments divided among the six realms of Book II.
- Break every environmental container to collect Relic Dust and open the three sealed Relic Shrines.
- Use Chapter Select after finishing the story to clean up any missed secrets with all abilities unlocked.
You do not need to guess which items you missed. In Book I, open the Chapter Select menu to view a breakdown of scrolls collected per chapter. In Book II, utilize the in-game Objectives screen to check your fragment and dust progress in real-time.
Boss Strategies and Combat Optimization
Combat encounters in the game emphasize positioning, evasion, and teamwork over button-mashing. Quill is small and can easily be overwhelmed by groups of Arcane and Forged forces. Use directional dodges to avoid red warning markers, and use the Reader to crowd-control dangerous targets.
Boss fights serve as grand spectacles that test everything you have learned. Each boss features distinct phases that require a mix of platforming, weapon switching, and environmental manipulation.
| Boss Name | Main Encounter | Key Attack Pattern | Counterstrategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarffog | Book I Finale | Launches fiery breath across Quill's path | Wait for fire to pass, move quickly between cover |
| The Warden | Book II Foundry | Slams fists, releases expanding heat waves | Dodge impact markers, jump over expanding heat waves |
| Tylan | Book II Pinnacle | Ground-pound attacks, aerial dives, chases | Use Hammer Trap, hit bell with Reader, attack when stunned |
If you find a combat arena or boss encounter too difficult, the game offers a Skip Combat option. When the prompt appears, you can choose to bypass the fight and continue the story. Note that enemies required for solving puzzles will still need to be managed.
Q: Do I need a VR headset to play Moss: The Forgotten Relic?
No. This version is specifically redesigned for standard flat-screen play on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, utilizing standard controllers or keyboard and mouse controls.
Q: How do I heal Quill during intense battles?
Move the Reader's cursor over Quill and hold the interaction button (Right Trigger on controllers, Right Click on mouse). This channels healing magic. It is safest to dodge away from enemies before healing.
Q: What is the benefit of collecting Relic Dust?
Relic Dust is gathered by breaking crates and barrels. Collecting enough dust allows you to open sealed Relic Shrines in Book II, which contain powerful optional armor sets for Quill.
Q: How long does it take to complete the entire package?
A standard playthrough of the main story across Book I, Twilight Garden, and Book II takes roughly 9 to 10 hours. Fully collecting all scrolls, dust, and secrets can extend playtime by several hours.