Rusted Moss: Grapple Your Way Through This Post-Apocalyptic Metroidvania

Rusted Moss is a grappling-hook-based metroidvania set in a melancholic post-apocalyptic world where humanity teeters on the edge of extinction. Combining twin-stick shooting, pixel-perfect platforming, and grapple-powered movement, it challenges players to master fluid traversal while uncovering a haunting tale of identity, nature reclaiming technology, and a world caught between humans and fae.

Plot and Setting

In a ruined world where technology has decayed and moss-covered ruins stretch across desolate landscapes, humans have retreated into bunkers, battling to hold off invading fae. You play as Fern, a girl raised by humans but not entirely human herself—tied to a deeper magic and a conflict she doesn’t fully understand.

As Fern, you grapple through crumbling factories, overgrown towers, and war-ravaged lands while deciding the fate of both fae and mankind. The game’s environmental storytelling and cryptic dialogue paint a world where nature and magic are reclaiming the remnants of human ambition.

Gameplay Mechanics

Grappling Hook Movement:
- The core mechanic is a momentum-based grappling hook that lets players swing across chasms, dodge enemies mid-air, and reach hidden areas.
- Movement has a kinetic, physics-driven feel—smooth but demanding, rewarding mastery.
Twin-Stick Shooting Combat:
- Use a variety of weapons (machine guns, railguns, etc.) in fast-paced combat that emphasizes precision, mobility, and timing.
- You aim independently from movement, allowing for advanced tricks like swinging while shooting in a different direction.
Metroidvania Progression:
- New gear and upgrades unlock access to previously unreachable areas.
- Exploration is open-ended, filled with hidden secrets, lore fragments, and optional boss fights.
Challenging Boss Battles:
- Boss fights demand a mix of twitch reflexes and terrain mastery, often incorporating movement puzzles alongside traditional combat.
- The visual design of these encounters blends mechanical decay with eerie, fae aesthetics.

Themes

Decay and Rebirth: A world in ruins slowly being overtaken by fae magic and nature.
Identity and Transformation: Fern’s role as a bridge between humans and fae raises questions about belonging, legacy, and purpose.
Technology vs. Nature: Humanity’s final machines crumble beneath moss and memory.
Movement as Expression: Mastery of the grapple becomes an extension of character growth—freedom through fluid motion.

Visuals and Audio

Rusted Moss features lush pixel art that contrasts organic overgrowth with metallic decay—vibrant greens and oranges playing against muted grays and rust tones. The environments feel alive, dripping with atmosphere, while animated details like moss drifting in the wind or sparks flickering from broken machines bring depth to every scene.

The ambient-electronic soundtrack supports this tone perfectly—sometimes wistful and quiet, other times urgent and pulse-pounding during key fights. Sound design enhances the swing and snap of your grappling hook and the mechanical tension of combat.

Have you played Rusted Moss? What’s your favourite part of it? We’d love to hear from you.

Other things you might want to know:

Is rusted moss worth it?

Rusted Moss was praised for its tight movement system, inventive grappling mechanics, and bold aesthetic, standing out in a crowded metroidvania space by emphasizing traversal over combat. While its difficulty curve—especially in platforming sections—can be intense, many players found it rewarding and fresh, especially fans of games like Celeste or Axiom Verge.