Possessor(s) Review – Art That Outshines Its Action

Possessor(s) Review

Each game by Heart Machine features a distinct aesthetic, a subtle approach to storytelling, and wonderfully realized gameplay. While Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash were celebrated for their design, the studio’s open-world online roguelite, Hyper Light Breaker, struggled to find an audience, ultimately leading to the end of its development. With Possessor(s), the team returns to its roots, focusing once again on a single-player adventure. As with their previous releases, this latest title explores a new genre. Can this ethereal Metroidvania recapture the magic of Heart Machine’s early successes, or will it fade into the ether?

You play as Luca, a teenage girl who loses her legs in a horrific accident. Desperate to survive, she makes a pact with a demon who is also fighting for its own existence. Bound together, they discover that the city they once called home has transformed into a nightmare, overrun by demonic forces. To escape and reclaim their former lives, they must learn to rely on one another. The fusion of Luca and Rhem creates a tumultuous relationship, their clashing personalities adding tension and depth to their journey. As the story unfolds, you uncover more about each character and the dark history behind the city’s downfall.

A Story of Two

While a deep narrative lies at the heart of the experience, the reliance on still images and text, without any voice acting, can break immersion. Given the sheer amount of dialogue, performances would have gone a long way in enhancing the story’s delivery. The writing itself is strong in places, but because key story beats can be encountered in any order due to the game’s open structure, it’s easy to lose track of certain details, which can dull the impact of key moments.

Heart Machine’s signature style and flair permeate every aspect of Possessor(s)’ presentation. The ethereal art direction draws you into its haunting world, inviting you to uncover the stories hidden within. Each character and creature reflects the developer’s distinct design philosophy, making every new encounter feel exciting and unpredictable. While many enemies look stunning, a few designs clash tonally with the rest, creating occasional visual inconsistencies. The fluid and expressive animation work is superb and enhances the game’s already striking presentation. Complementing this is a subtle, atmospheric score that swells at key moments, often climaxing in pulsating, techno-inspired beats. Together, these elements help the game carve out a unique identity in an increasingly crowded genre.

Exploring the labyrinth-like world is no easy feat. You must swing across hazards, leap from platforms and unlock abilities to progress past blockades. While there is the odd marker on the map, you’re given the freedom to progress in any direction and discover organically. Missions are tracked, but their vague descriptions often leave you guessing where to go next or how to find key items. Traversal is solid but a tad heavy, adding a methodical pace. Although the controls are tight, nothing particularly stands out with the platforming, with everything feeling competent but ultimately familiar.

Streets of Rage

Lurking on the streets are a range of enemies with each type possessing unique attack patterns which require you to avoid, parry and counter. You can combine light and heavy attacks to stagger and eliminate your opponent. Weapons vary your output, giving you more possibilities to defeat those in your path. With your grapple, you can pull flying creatures down so that you can unleash a vicious strike. Each weapon connects to the real world, letting you use objects like mice, mobile phones, and more to damage enemies. Parrying feels satisfying, with many foes launching projectile attacks that you can deflect for massive damage. Melee combat, however, feels a bit stiff, lacking the fluidity seen in other games within the genre.

Bosses are a clear highlight, challenging you to use every skill in your arsenal to withstand their relentless attacks and intricate patterns. Patience is essential; waiting for the perfect moment to strike back often determines success or failure. With only a limited number of healing items, you’ll need to approach each fight strategically rather than rushing in. Checkpoints are fairly placed, maintaining a satisfying level of challenge. Here, you can restore health, deposit or reclaim currency, and purchase weapon upgrades and other enhancements.

Possessor(s) is a beautiful Metroidvania with an open structure that encourages exploration and lets you progress at your own pace. While its platforming and combat are both solid, they lack the distinctive flair needed to match the game’s stunning art direction. The narrative is deep and layered, but its delivery sometimes undermines immersion. Despite being a strong and engaging adventure, it doesn’t always capture the magic its visuals promise.

***A Steam code provided by the publisher***