Grappling. Hook.

On Monday, publisher Playism released the final demo for Rusted Moss, a “grappling hook based metroidvania game” (or “grapplevania” – kill me).

Developed by faxdoc, happysquared, and sunnydaze, the full game is expected to release in February 2023. Despite the wait, the good news is that your save file for the Rusted Moss demo is fully transferable to the final version.

Here’s the official breakdown of Rusted Moss from Playism, followed by a recent trailer:

Swing through the Stages with your Grappling Hook!

This grapplevania utilizes your grapple and weapons with a full 360° aiming system. The freedom created by these controls creates a smooth experience for users to feel in complete control of their character. Find creative solutions to flexible traversal challenges, and blast away witches and machinery with precise aim.

A “Grappling Hook” You Say?

The grappling hook is hard to learn yet rewarding to master. This unique physics-based elastic grappling hook uses your kinetic momentum to propel your character forward. Like rock climbing, there’s no set path through this melancholic abandoned wasteland. Latch onto any moss-covered structure and swing your way through this rugged terrain.

Shotgun Blasts, Precision Shots, Rocket Jumps!

No more aiming in just 8 directions! As a twin-stick shooter, Rusted Moss emphasizes tight and precise gunplay. Quickly switch between your arsenal of weapons to best suit your playstyle and situation. Get up close and personal with a shotgun before grappling away and pulling out a sniper for the killing blow!

Boss Fights!

Push your gunplay and grappling hook skills to their limits! From powerful witches to machine monstrosities, each boss fight throws its own unique challenges at you. Dodge swords, avoid energy fields, and blast away at conjured spiders.

Story

Journey across desolate landscapes drenched in melancholy; witness the remnants of humanity and their rusting iron inventions…Humanity is on the brink of collapse and will soon be invaded by faeries. In a desperate bid to survive, humans have empowered their own witches with stolen fae magic.

But not all is lost, as the humans were deceived – for one of their own is not what she seems. The fae have stolen a human baby and replaced it with something else…

Raised by unsuspecting human parents, Fern is a changeling whose true loyalties have emerged. Alongside a mysterious shadow named Puck, she sets off on a journey to return fae to the world and end the Age of Men.

Whose side will you choose – human or fae?

Features:

• Master the grapple!
• 20+ unique abilities to find
• Customizable strategy and gameplay
• 6+ challenging bosses to defeat
• 8 distinct weapons to find
• Multiple endings
• Encounter humans and fae folk trying to find their way through the world to learn their stories.
• Uncover lost shrines and abandoned computer stations to learn about old secrets and forgotten tales.
• Beautifully melancholic pixel art – A retro vibe with a modern aesthetic, the world of Rusted Moss comes alive with moody pixels and stylish animation
• What’s in this update?
• Updated localization in multiple languages!
• Save files compatible with full release!
• Updated UI and main menu screen
• More assets, more polish!

The final demo for Rusted Moss is available now via Steam. The full release is expected sometime in February 2023.

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