Possessor(s): A Winding Yet Captivating Journey from Heart Machine

First Look and Initial Impressions

Possessor(s), developed by Heart Machine, the creators of Hyper Light Drifter, is a fast-paced action adventure that may start slowly but quickly unfolds into a captivating experience. The author recalls being deeply impressed by the game's first trailer in 2024, which showcased stunning art design. The game features a 2D character navigating through richly detailed 3D side-scrolling combat environments, all accompanied by a powerful and emotional soundtrack. Although expectations were high based on the initial reveal, the game – set to launch on November 11, 2025, by Devolver Digital on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S – delivered a final experience that wasn't quite as breathtaking as initially, but the author is satisfied for having stuck with it until the end.

Story and Characters: Luca and Rem

In Possessor(s), the player takes on the role of Luca, a girl inhabited by Rem, an otherworldly demon. After a terrible catastrophe, Rem saves Luca's life by granting her new legs. Since then, Luca has become Rem's host, meaning they communicate constantly and sometimes share memories. Their relationship is marked by constant tension and ongoing arguments, which sometimes made interacting with them difficult. However, their relationship evolves throughout the game as they increasingly understand each other and the worlds they came from.

World Exploration and Gameplay Mechanics

Heart Machine describes Possessor(s) as a "fast-paced side-scrolling action game," yet it shares many core attributes with Metroid and Castlevania games, categorizing it as a Metroidvania game. In this adventure, you will explore a vast and interconnected world featuring diverse and unique areas. A significant part of the experience involves regularly checking the map to determine the optimal path for exploration and collecting necessary upgrades that enhance traversal abilities, such as wall-running to reach previously inaccessible areas. In the early stages of the game, players discover a versatile whip that serves as a vital tool for traversing vast gaps and as a primary element in combat encounters.

Innovative Combat System

The battles in the game draw inspiration from platform fighters like Super Smash Bros., giving them a fast-paced and impactful feel. Players confront enemies using inventive weapons inspired by ordinary household items. The author's usual strategy involved striking enemies up close with a large baseball bat, shocking them with an electric jolt from a mobile phone to create a safe distance, and accurately flinging demonic dinnerware across rooms to hit distant targets. Parrying is also a crucial and important part of the combat system, adding tactical depth to encounters.

Early Challenges and Frustration

Initially, Possessor(s) presents a remarkably high difficulty level. Regular enemies possess strong offensive capabilities, and any moment of inattention or falling into an unexpected trap can lead to swift death without a chance to retaliate. Upon dying, players return to a save point similar to "bonfires" in the Dark Souls series, but the paths back to the death location can be long and fraught with challenges and dangers. Additionally, the game employs a health recovery system inspired by Souls-like games, where "painkillers" are used instead of traditional flasks. Although the author usually enjoys this type of challenge, the level and enemy design in the early stages of Possessor(s) left him feeling more frustrated than entertained. The author also faced difficulty in navigation after the first few hours, leading him to unnecessarily explore large areas of the map because he couldn't figure out how to bypass some enigmatic walls with glowing cracks, making him seriously consider quitting the game.

The Turning Point and the Joy of Exploration

However, after the author finally figured out how to open those walls (using the clever whip!), and after acquiring important health upgrades and more painkillers, and began to see more intricate details in the complex relationship between Luca and Rem, he started to enjoy the game much more. He finally settled into the enjoyable gameplay loop characteristic of Metroid games, which involves exploring a new area, finding a new upgrade, using it to reach the next boss, obtaining a new artifact, and then repeating this cycle in the next area. The game is now available on PC and PS5, and is scheduled for release on November 11, 2025.