Possessor(s) Review
Possessor(s) mashes together metroidvanias with platform fighter combat, and it works.
Possessor(s). Credit: Heart Machine / Devolver Digital
Heart Machine, the studio behind Hyper Light Drifter, Solar Ash, and Hyper Light Breaker, brings us Possessor(s), a sidescrolling, combat-focused metroidvania. The game has the studio dipping its toe into something different than its other titles, while bringing its signature visual flair and amazing gamefeel. This is another banger for publisher Devolver Digital.
Sometime in the future, a megacorporation tampers with forces it shouldn’t, resulting in their city being flooded by demons that slaughter most residents, the rest left to fend for themselves when the corp walls in the town. Luca, a teenage girl, loses her legs and witnesses her best friend's murder. As she’s bleeding out, Rehm, a wounded demon, offers her a deal: he’ll save her if she agrees to be his host. When Luca wakes up, she has Rehm living in her head and a brand new pair of demon legs. Rehm and Luca’s relationship forms the narrative's emotional core, and their conversations are the best part of the game’s writing.
Possessor(s). Credit: Heart Machine / Devolver Digital
The game’s combat, inspired by platform fighters like Super Smash Bros., feels amazing. Luca’s base attacks connect with weight, and the parry is even more satisfying. I was able to pull it off more often than not, thanks to the generous timing window. Demonically enhanced special weapons mix things up—a computer mouse delivers upward swings, a cell phone creates repelling shock fields; you can equip three simultaneously.
Combat emphasizes combos and juggling, like the platform fighters that it emulates. Knock enemies skyward, yank them back with your demonic whip, continue the punishment. These combos feel incredible to execute. My only frustration was that failure would often mean that lighter enemies fall out of view, and I’d have to wait for them to fly back up. This wasn’t a problem in the game’s excellent boss encounters, though.
Possessor(s). Credit: Heart Machine / Devolver Digital
Traversal abilities gradually expand your reach, in common metroidvania fashion. Slide under obstacles, stomp through floors, and most satisfyingly, whip between grapple points with perfect momentum. I love swinging in games, and Heart Machine pulled it off very, very well. Exploration isn’t as much of a focus here, but the combat makes up for it.
The art direction is beautiful. 3D environments with depth add richness to the 2D gameplay; the ruined cityscape’s darkness contrasts wonderfully with Luca’s vibrant color palette. Character and enemy designs are appealing and distinct. All are beautifully animated, with a focus on complementing the gamefeel. Every impact effect and animation frame reinforces the combat's weight.
Possessor(s). Credit: Heart Machine / Devolver Digital
Possessor(s) doesn't revolutionize the metroidvania genre, but Heart Machine has made a solid game that feels great to play. The mix of weighty combat and platform fighter-style physics with sidescrolling exploration really works, in a way that it never did with Smash Bros. games’ adventure modes. It also doesn’t hurt that the game is so pretty.
Possessor(s) is available now on Steam and PlayStation 5.
Overall Score: 8/10
Played on: PS5
