Possessor(s) Preview
Each game from the talented developers at Heart Machine carries an unmistakable identity, with a stunning and evocative aesthetic. Possessor(s) continues this tradition, showcasing a visual flair that is both beautiful and deeply intriguing. Known for genre-hopping from the neon-soaked action of Hyper Light Drifter to the kinetic platforming of Solar Ash, the indie developer now turns its attention to a side-scrolling, narrative-driven Metroidvania. Can Possessor(s) carve out its own place in the studio’s legacy while delivering the emotional resonance fans have come to expect?
You play as Luca, a young woman who gets seriously injured in the midst of an interdimensional catastrophe. In order to stay alive, you and Rehm, a demon caught in the quarantined city, fuse souls to survive. Now intertwined, you must work together to navigate the world while learning about each other’s past. Although the preview was restricted to the first hour of the game, the story immediately builds interest through its strong characterisation and engrossing premise. Paired with well-paced plot points, this leads to a truly intriguing tale, which makes me excited to learn more.
Branching Out
There are several aspects to gameplay that help to keep each aspect feeling fresh. Central is platforming. You must climb and traverse the terrain to get through the beautiful world. Destroyed buildings create platforms and allow you to venture back and forth through the labyrinth-style environment. With the aid of a whip, you can swing off items and dash through the air with style. Although not as fluid as some platformers, there’s a lovely elegance to each leap that helps to accentuate the stunning, cinematic quality of the adventure.
Multiple paths give you the option to explore various areas that house secrets and items. At times, you’ll encounter a blocked route that requires an item or skill to overcome. Although I only experienced the odd occurrence during the preview, there’s a nice free-flowing nature to the design where you learn a skill and seamlessly open a shortcut to the required place.
Enemies are varied, offering a range of attacks that require you to counter thoughtfully. You can unleash close-quarter strikes with blades or range-focused attacks with items that are interchangeable. With the ability to dash through danger and parry projectiles, there’s a strong foundation for combat on offer and I look forward to seeing how this evolves in the full game. A true showcase of this is in the first boss battle. Set against a stunning backdrop, you have to deflect missiles, leap over swipes and counter to defeat your opponent.
Jaw-Dropping Design
The overall presentation of Possessor(s) is awe-inspiring. Details in the environment add to the lore of the world and help to engross you in the journey. The dark remains are then countered with beautiful natural vistas that showcase Heart Machine’s excellence with visual identity. Paired with a beautiful and equally fantastic score, this is shaping up to sit perfectly amongst its peers.
Heart Machine has set a high bar with its previous games. Each one stands out as a truly unique experience, marked by solid mechanics, striking art direction, and strong storytelling. Based on the preview, Possessor(s) appears to tick all those boxes, positioning itself as another potential classic from the studio.
***A Steam key was provided by the publisher***
