Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss
The world of Moss is getting a new multiplayer spin-off called Glassbreakers: Champions of Moss. Developed by Moss creators Polyarc Games, this 1v1 real-time battler sees players control a squad of three champions with a range of unique abilities and roles as they aim to break their opponent’s main glass while protecting their own. It’s a departure from the single-player adventure of Moss and Spire, but still retains that unique charm.
As someone who loved Moss, I admit I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about Glassbreakers. Not because I don’t think it’s a cool idea – far from it – but I just thought it might detract from the wonderful world of Quill and her adventure. Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to be the case. In fact, it could actually expand the lore and universe of Moss considerably.
In my time playing the preview build of Glassbreakers, I was struck by just how much it felt like Moss. The three champions I was given to play with each felt unique and had their own special abilities. Each one is placed on a tile at the start of the match, and can then be moved to adjacent tiles to attack the opponent or break their glass. It’s simple, intuitive, and a lot of fun.
Because it’s a real-time game, you can use that to your advantage by bluffing and faking out your opponent. It’s a welcome break from a lot of VR games where you’re mostly in control of your character and can’t make moves until you’re ready to unleash. This also allows for some fun moments of surprise if you manage to sneak a glass-breaking attack in without your opponent noticing.
There are also some special tiles that offer bonuses or debuffs to add a little strategy to the gameplay. Some will give you an extra attack, while others will drain your mana. There are also Waystones that Quill fans will recognize from Moss, which will teleport you to another one for a price. It adds a little bit of depth if that’s your thing, but it’s not at all necessary to have fun.
The best part of Glassbreakers, in my opinion, is the charming UI. The pop-up boxes and overall presentation have a very similar style to Moss, but with a much more physical interaction system. Choosing champions, customizing your deck, and interacting with the world all feel very natural and intuitive. I found myself not even thinking about how it was all being done, just enjoying the UI’s presentation.
Glassbreakers is currently available on Meta Quest 2 via the Meta Quest store. The game will also be released on Steam for Meta Quest 2, Rift, Valve Index, and HTC Vive later this year.
While it’s nice to see the world of Moss expanded, and the inclusion of a competitive multiplayer mode is certainly welcome, I’m still holding out for Moss: Book 3. The developers have previously confirmed that Glassbreakers does not mark the end of Quill’s story, as Moss: Book 3 remains in development.
If you’re a big fan of Moss, and you’ve got a Meta Quest 2, I’d definitely recommend giving Glassbreakers a try. I’ve only had a brief preview, but it certainly feels like an authentic Moss experience, with a fresh new multiplayer spin on top.
Check out all the upcoming games on the Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift Pro.
