Hands-On Preview: Possessor(s) Is A Stylish Side Scroller With The DNA Of A Soulslike

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Developer Heart Machine has been busy.

After the debut of Hyper Light Breaker, the sequel to Hyper Light Drifter, they have also been diligently developing Possessor(s), which is characterized as a swift-moving action platformer. In essence, it’s a blend of traditional side-scrollers, Metroidvania games, and Soulslike series.

In the independent gaming scene, there are plenty of games reminiscent of the Souls series. To my surprise, if I had a dollar for each Soulslike game out there, I could afford the Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2.

There’s a good reason why it’s widely favored – these games are skillfully made, tough yet rewarding, and they do well. Whether it’s Hollow Knight or Nine Sols, or any other title in between, Possessor(s) steps into a field that’s already bustling with competition.

I’m thrilled that Heart Machine has the background to make this work. After diving into the game for about an hour, it seems like they’ve got some real potential here. If they can keep up and deliver something unique compared to other games in the market, we could be in for a treat!

A Deal With The Devil

The character you control, Luca, initially finds herself in a truly alarming situation. She’s a resident of a city devastated by mass chaos, and she, unfortunately, has lost both of her legs. In her current state, she’s struggling to stop the bleeding.

The game starts when she creeps towards a demon named Reth, who proposes a bargain: he restores her legs if she agrees to assist him with a task. With no other options, we must strike a deal with the demon.

After transforming into beings akin to demons under Rehm’s influence, it seems we’re now bound to him and must follow his commands. We get glimpses into both Luca and Rehm’s past lives through shared memories. These moments provide insight into the characters, although they are brief, spanning only around 30-40 minutes in the demo.

The Gameplay Feels Very Familiar

If you’re familiar with playing a game that combines elements of indie Metroidvania and Soulslike genres, then experiencing Possessor(s) would feel as natural as riding a bike.

In this game, you traverse a maze-like 2D environment. Gathering enhancements like a grappling hook or parry ability opens up additional zones for advancement and task completion. The blend of jumping challenges with fighting sequences keeps things engaging, although the platforming segments could use more depth at present.

As a gamer, I can tell you that the exploration in this game feels incredibly immersive and intuitive. There’s no need for me to scour every corner or squint at the screen trying to spot hidden passages – they’re all clearly laid out. And the best part? No backtracking hassles! Even when I had to plunge into a basement to grab an upgrade or unlock a door, it was seamless and didn’t interrupt my gaming flow.

I was fortunate that an elevator was already there to take me to the specified door. It’s always pleasant when games consider my time, as it can be quite annoying to retrace five to ten minutes of gameplay just to keep moving forward.

I had a chance to engage in one intense boss fight, and it lived up to expectations. The battle is swift and chaotic, putting my reaction time and skills to the test without being excessively challenging. While it remains a challenge, mastering the essential gameplay mechanics will help you avoid repeated failures.

It was pleasant to observe that constant evasion tactics like dodging didn’t work particularly well in the fight. I’m eager to see if future boss battles will adopt a similar strategy.

A Gorgeous Looking Game

Right from the get-go, the game showcases an unmistakable flair in its design. The visuals are bold, colorful, and polished, yet they effectively portray a feeling of gloom and desolation. This aesthetic aligns harmoniously with the game’s softly somber background music.

In this dark-themed game, the atmosphere suits the bleak storyline flawlessly. Our mission is to regain our footing after a devastating incident, while discovering secrets hidden within a familiar yet enigmatic city. There’s a subtle elegance in the details that truly enhances the experience.

Venturing into the gloomy underbelly of a massive corporation’s basement gives off an eerie sensation as if you’re treading on forbidden grounds. The blinding light emanating from a ripped-open interdimensional rift, tearing the city in two, casts a stark contrast against the wet, dimly lit city streets. This entire scene effectively sets a tense and ominous mood that perfectly aligns with our intended atmosphere.

The experience offered by Possessor(s) leaves me eager to delve deeper, yet I hope the plot and characters will live up to expectations. After multiple demos, this is a key issue that stands out to me.

The Writing Doesn’t Give Me Much Optimism Right Now

In contrast to Hyper Light Drifter, the narrative takes center stage in Possessor(s). The recurring conversations between Luca and Reth are a significant aspect of the game, with Luca often appearing innocent and Reth revealing the harsh realities of the world to him.

It’s clear that Luca isn’t thrilled about Reth taking control of her body. In the demo, the tension between them was noticeable and dominant, even amidst heavier storyline elements. The problem isn’t just the back-and-forth banter, but how it was presented. The dialogue seemed immature, with insults reminiscent of high school exchanges being used. While it might be consistent with Luca’s character to speak this way, it feels quite jarring in this context.

As a gamer, I can sense that my journey into Possessor(s) is going to include some intense, heart-wrenching scenes. Given this, I expect the writing to match the emotional depth these moments promise. So far, I’m not entirely convinced that it will.

Upgrades! Get Your Upgrades Here!

Although I didn’t have enough time to thoroughly delve into enhancing my skills and attaching affixes to my weapons, I managed to experience a brief, yet flavorful understanding of the system.

Each time you defeat an opponent, you earn Chroma, which serves as the primary currency within the game. In essence, it functions much like souls do in other games. If you happen to die during your quest, you will lose all accumulated Chroma. However, if you manage to return to the location of your death without meeting the same fate, you can recover all lost Chroma. Does this sound familiar? Additionally, you have the option to save your Chroma for safekeeping before embarking on dangerous journeys.

In the game called Chroma, among other select items, you can enhance Luca’s power to make him stronger. This is done in the style of Metroidvania games, where as you journey through the world, you’ll uncover a variety of abilities. These abilities range from essential ones like the grappling hook and parrying, to attachments for your weapons. The design blends elements of Soulslike and Metroidvania styles, creating a harmonious gameplay experience.

It seems evident that Heart Machine is drawing influence from multiple genres, including the use of ‘beacons’ similar to those found within the game. I eagerly anticipate discovering just how intricate these mechanisms are. Should Heart Machine successfully implement this concept, it promises a truly engaging experience.

In my opinion, the game Possessor(s) shows promise of being another outstanding indie game from Heart Machine. However, it needs to deliver on its potential. So far, my experience with the game has been enjoyable, particularly due to its engaging combat and Metroidvania-style exploration.

Although the narrative is engaging, it’s crucial for it to maintain consistency. As it stands, it disrupts the immersion the game provides, causing me to bypass the dialogue and return to the action. I eagerly anticipate that as I delve further into Possessor(s), I’ll continue to find it captivating.

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2025-06-06 03:09