Heart Machine’s Next Game Isn’t At All What I Expected, But I Liked It

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At GDC 2025, I attended a demonstration of an early stage from the upcoming game Possessor(s) by Heart Machine. Known for action games, this studio occasionally incorporates unique elements; for instance, Hyper Light Drifter (released in 2016) had RPG aspects, Solar Ash (released in 2021) was an adventure-platformer, and Hyper Light Breaker (scheduled for release in 2025) is a cooperative roguelike. In essence, Possessor(s) can be classified as a metroidvania or, more accurately according to Heart Machine, a search-action game, which I find to be a much more fitting term for the genre.

In this game, you control two characters: Luca, a young girl, and Rehm, a demon inhabiting her. The story doesn’t show how they became partners, but the developers at Heart Machine describe that the narrative begins with Luca being involved in an interdimensional disaster, which creates a gaping hole in the sky and results in the death of everyone she cares about. Miraculously, she survives due to the intervention of a mysterious man with horns who has now taken over her body.

In a twist of events, Rehm fits Luca with advanced prosthetic legs, presumably replacing her original ones, allowing her to leap greater distances and survive falls unscathed from any height. With these new limbs, Luca explores the city under lockdown, seeking an exit and unraveling the mystery behind the catastrophe. Their frequent discussions about their contrasting beliefs regarding demons and the powerful corporation running the city provide a rare sense of companionship that is often absent in search-and-action games.

Due to Rehm’s guidance, Luca manages to stand her ground in a world determined to eliminate her. The conflict arises from the haunted items and inhabitants of the city—the demons have transformed even the most ordinary aspects of the metropolis into something far more sinister than what Rehm could corrupt. I was taken aback when a seemingly harmless, motionless potted plant sprung to life as Luca passed by it, and the developers mentioned that many demons employ the tactic of disguising themselves among everyday objects to catch their prey off guard. In combat, the gameplay resembles Super Smash Bros., with an emphasis on combos and aerial attacks. It appears more captivating than Hyper Light Breaker, but I couldn’t test Possessor(s) personally, so I can’t definitively compare them.

In a manner reminiscent of its genre peers, Luca gains new skills progressively, enabling expanded combat possibilities and unveiling previously unexplored regions on the map. From what I gather, this system operates similarly to upgrade mechanisms in games such as Hollow Knight, Nine Sols, Super Metroid, and others, featuring a non-linear, interconnected game world that lets players delve into any accessible area at their discretion.

In comparison to Hyper Light Drifter’s visual style, Possessor(s) stands out significantly – not in a negative way, but still unexpected given that the studio’s subsequent games have maintained similar aesthetics. The color scheme is reminiscent, yet the characters appear hand-drawn and the animations boast bolder lines and more vivid colors, giving them a comic book or manga-like feel during attacks and movements. I must admit, it’s quite captivating, and as far as art direction goes, Possessor(s) is my favorite from Heart Machine’s collection of games. Frankly, it wasn’t what I anticipated, but it has piqued my interest nonetheless, and I eagerly look forward to immersing myself in this game later this year.

Possessor(s) is set to launch for PS5 and PC sometime in 2025.

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2025-04-05 00:39