Possessor(s) Is A Dark Metroidvania Featuring An Extremely Hot Demon And I’m Already Obsessed With It

by

Before attending Summer Game Fest, I wasn’t familiar with much about Heart Machine’s upcoming game, Possessor(s). To be honest, this could be because I was a bit jaded; despite my love for Hyper Light Drifter, the studio’s more recent releases, Solar Ash and Hyper Light Breaker, didn’t hold the same charm for me as Drifter’s rich yet melancholic world. It appeared to me that Heart Machine was focusing on aspects of their past work that I found less engaging, prioritizing quick movement and expansive exploration over depth. However, I enjoyed both Solar Ash and Hyper Light Breaker, they just didn’t grab me as Drifter did, and this left me questioning if a new title from Heart Machine would ever do so. Luckily, my encounter with Possessor(s) has shown me quite the opposite.

Titled as a search-and-interact game, reminiscent of the metroidvania genre, Possessor(s) represents a transition to 2D gameplay for Heart Machine. This innovative title blends swift side-scrolling action, similar to Metroid, with mechanics inspired by Dark Souls, resulting in an intense, challenging, and visually stunning adventure game that emphasizes constant discovery.

Unlike their previous works featuring abstract narratives and non-humanoid characters, Possessor(s) appears to signal a move towards a more conventional storytelling approach. This game features hand-drawn, captivating characters who deliver plot developments and dialogue accompanied by character art, much like Hades.

To clarify, while this description includes numerous comparisons to well-loved games, it’s important to note that in the portion I experienced, Possessor(s) didn’t strike me as overly imitative. It may borrow elements from my favorite games, but I didn’t notice anything that significantly redefines or enhances its genres. The urban-horror setting, striking visual style, moody ambiance, and emerging storyline, however, possess a unique Heart Machine flavor and hint at an innovative direction for the studio.

In a world where dimensions are merging ominously, the action-packed film Possessor opens with protagonist Luca, witnessing one of her dearest ones being dismembered by a demon, buried beneath rubble. With immense effort, she manages to extricate herself, only to discover that her legs have been brutally severed. As she writhes in pain and despair, calling out for aid, a tall, mysterious figure named Rhem appears. Remarkably, he is one of the demons wreaking havoc on mankind. He offers Luca a deal: by grafting new limbs onto her and saving her life, she would owe him a favor to help save his own life in return. With heavy heart, Luca consents, forming an unusual alliance with Rhem, as their souls become intertwined within her body.

As they move along, Rhem hints that Luca is unaware of the demons’ intentions or the real objective of a worldwide corporation dealing in household appliances, which aims to improve customers’ lives. This ambiguity sets up a puzzle for Luca to solve, making all the malevolent, non-living adversaries in the game more comprehensible, and paving the way for Rhem and Luca’s shared journey. Though this theme isn’t entirely original – science fiction often involves corrupt corporations – it remains intriguing due to its dark undertones, striking character designs, and the ominous feel of the deteriorating cityscape I traversed.

Above all else, the gameplay in

The subject matter at hand has left an impression on me, and the prospect of an intricate plotline that offers several possible scenarios to explore and introduces a diverse cast of characters with poignant backstories, has placed it high among my eagerness-to-play list for 2025.

Read More

2025-06-23 22:09