Possessor(s)

“Beautiful yet flawed, Possessor(s) misses the mark with its blend of Metroidvania exploration and brawler combat, resulting in an unfortunately frustrating fusion.”

“Initially full of potential, Heart Machine's latest eventually runs out of gas when it's not stumbling off some awkward combat issues.”

“Possessor(s) has attractive visuals and a well-presented story, but is hampered by its Metroidvania structure, which doesn't offer enough rewarding exploration to justify itself. The uninteresting exploration and the fast-paced but unvaried combat prevent the game from standing out in the crowded action-platformer genre, making it recommendable only to those who appreciate the aesthetics and theme of a race of demons.”

“Heart Machine's latest game, Possessor(s), is a remarkable 2D indie.”

“Possessor(s) is many things: stylized, satisfying, occasionally frustrating, and short but sweet despite its large map. It's a familiar yet solid gameplay loop with few frills, save for shirtless demon protagonists and neon stylizations.”

“All in all, there’s some entertainment in the story, dialogue, and possessed objects that attack you. The bosses are nicely designed, and the world-building is pretty great – but it all wears thin too quickly when it’s such a slog to play.”

“The most disappointing aspect of Possessors is that it plays it quite safe compared to Heart Machine’s past titles, Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash. Little about its formula will surprise Metroidvania enthusiasts; still, the studio has nonetheless notched another entertaining single-player action game under its belt, proving its action and world-building chops transcend genre.”

“Heart Machine's Possessor(s) is an attractive 2D metroidvania, with odd design choices.”

“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.”

“Possessor(s) brings a lot of success to the table: lots of boss fights, chunky and engaging combat, and a robust world to explore. Combine that with a strong narrative, and you have a recipe for success. The whip needs some optimization, and progressing the story can easily stagnate once the map opens up. Possessor(s) may not be able to contend with the titans of the genre, but it doesn't need to. It still provides a good experience for anyone interested in Metroidvanias.”

“Possessor(s) is perfectly fine while it's happening, but its rote exploration and weak enemy variety mean it'll be hard to remember once it's over.”

“While Possessor(s) doesn’t fully break from a crowded field of search-action games, its compelling characters and pointed commentary give it some personality of its own. If you’re eager to explore man-made horrors, this flaming wreck of a company town will provide.”

“A Metroidvania set in a mega-city ruined by demons, Possessor(s) unfortunately fails to fulfil its potential due to clunky combat and general lack of polish.”

“A stylish metroidvania with crunchy combat and a delightfully melancholy mood, but some will find it too safe and frictionless.”

“Possessor(s) is one of the most unconventional Metroidvanias that I've played thanks to its visceral dystopian world and focus on equipment-based combat that rewards experimentation, practice, and patience much more than brute force. Now, that's clever and quite cool indeed. 🩸”

“Possessor(s) combines a compelling narrative, solid understanding of Metroid-like design and genuinely fun combat for an experience that is intensely captivating.”

“With a map that pleads to be unlocked and explored wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, as well as tremendous combat inspired by the best platform fighters, Possessor(s) is a heartfelt, and most unexpectedly great, Metroidvania that treats story and action, two distinct and unique facets of game design, as equals in this lovely story of coexisting”