A Retro JRPG Crafted By a Solo Dev During 12 Years
Whispers in the Moss is a retro JRPG set in a fantastical world inspired by ancient Rome. Players embark on an epic journey through an ASCII-styled universe, interacting with quirky villagers, battling fierce creatures, and uncovering hidden secrets. The game’s detailed world-building, nostalgic visuals, and intricate plot immerse players in an old-school gaming experience.
Developed by Uncultured Games, this project is a labor of love crafted over 12 years by a solo developer using QB64, a modern take on QuickBASIC. The game features turn-based combat, character progression, and a variety of environments to explore. Each character encounter and plot twist are meticulously designed to offer a rich and engaging narrative.
The game’s demo has received praise for its smooth gameplay and intuitive controls, despite its retro coding language. Its unique blend of challenging battles, strategic gameplay, and a richly detailed world has earned it positive feedback from early players. Whispers in the Moss promises a nostalgic yet fresh experience for fans of classic JRPGs.
Whispers in the Moss is now available on PC through Steam, GOG and Itch.io. Below is an overview of the game, screens and trailer.
ABOUT THE GAME
“Throughout this, the runaway synth bass does a great job convincing me that, yes, I am truly burning a giant monkey to death. I’d like to play more! The lovely thing about this kind of homage to a bygone era is that Whispers In The Moss retains a tantalising sense of inscrutability.” (Nic Reuben / Rock Paper Shotgun, May 2024)
“An enchanting journey through ethereal landscapes, filled with challenging puzzles, strategic turn-based combat, and an original, captivating soundtrack.” (Steam Curator Danmaku Disciples, May 2024)
WHISPERS IN THE MOSS is a full-scale retro JRPG experience that embraces the nostalgic charm of 8-bit and 16-bit console classics.
Embark on an epic journey with three young heroes from a tranquil fishing village, thrust into a world dominated by an empire seeking ultimate power and a banished prince determined to restore balance. As they traverse the world, our party uncovers an even more sinister secret—fiends of the underworld are stirring…
- An Epic Story: Prepare for emotional plot twists, lighthearted humor, and vibrant characters.
- Classic Turn-Based Battles: Inspired by the early Final Fantasy games, strategically exploit your enemies’ weaknesses using physical attacks, black and white magic, items, and special skills. Witness your characters’ growth and customize their abilities.
- A Highly Unique Visual Style: The game boasts beautiful and ambitious textmode (ANSI/ASCII-style) graphics, offering an unparalleled retro atmosphere. This innovative use of text-based graphics on such a scale and level of ambition is a first in gaming. What’s more, “Whispers in the Moss” is coded entirely in QB64, a modern take on the legendary QuickBASIC programming language, completing the genuine retro experience.
- Original Custom Soundtrack: Immerse yourself in the game’s world with sound effects and a full original soundtrack featuring over 50 unique tracks, composed by the game’s developer, Tapio of Uncultured Games. Drawing inspiration from JRPG music legends like Nobuo Uematsu, Yoko Shimomura, Yasunori Mitsuda, and Michiru Oshima, the music brings the world of the game to life.
- Abundance of Optional Content: In addition to the main story, explore a vast array of side quests, monster hunts, fishing and other mini-games, and other hidden secrets. Can you locate and conquer all 170+ unique monsters and complete the bestiary?
- Retro Gaming for Modern Systems: “Whispers in the Moss” launched on May 31, 2024, and it is available on Steam and other platforms.
- Over a Decade in the Making: This artisanal game is the sole creation of Tapio from Uncultured Games, a Finnish game development studio. He has managed the coding, game engine, art, script, soundtrack, and even crafted this god-forsaken press release. Over the course of well over 12 years of development, Tapio, a father of two and a marketing professional by day, has remained a dedicated hobbyist game developer by night.
