Possessor(s) Review – A Tortured Metroidvania

Possessor(s), from the creators of Hyper Light Drifter, was embroiled in controversy following its release: Heart Machine suffered massive layoffs in the wake of the game’s release, and the studio’s future was in doubt. The team’s financial difficulties inevitably affected the title’s production, and it shows: Possessor(s) looks stylish and boasts fast-paced gameplay, but it still feels unfinished. Read our review for more details.

• Developer: Heart Machine
• Publisher: Devolver Digital
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5
• Release date: November 11, 2025

The game takes place in a fictional metropolis where a corporation has invented a new energy source. As it soon turns out, its employees have actually opened a portal to Hell, kidnapped demons , and used them to produce the energy they were looking for. Predictably, the demons refused to accept this state of affairs, broke free, and unleashed a localized apocalypse.

During a catastrophe, a girl named Luka finds herself on the brink of death, but she’s lucky: the demon Rem appears nearby and offers to possess her in exchange for saving her life. The plot of two characters forced to share a body isn’t particularly innovative, but the story of the impulsive Luka and the level-headed Rem is gripping, though the demon-related drama begins to wear thin toward the end of the adventure.

Since the monsters spreading across the city have possessed everything, including ordinary objects, even a simple nightstand can pose a threat in Possessor(s). Each demon has unique attacks and behaviors that you’ll need to adapt to. Don’t expect a wide variety of enemies: the developers regularly create variations of familiar demons with different colorings and moves, so be aware that seemingly identical enemies may attack you in different ways.

Luka has several weapons at his disposal, including knives, a baseball bat, a guitar, and a hockey stick. Each weapon has its own speed, range, damage, and combos. Additionally, you can equip additional gadgets to your character, which consume energy, making them difficult to use constantly. For example, a computer mouse can launch an enemy into the air. Finally, you also have access to talismans with passive bonuses that can be used to enhance your primary and secondary weapons.

Possessor(s)’ s combat appears varied and rich—but only at first glance. You can hit and throw monsters, pull them toward you and be pulled toward them, deflect projectiles, and counterattack. However, it quickly becomes clear that the combo system is very simple, and the weapons differ only in their physical properties. Ultimately, you find one or two effective combinations of moves and use them throughout the game.

Since this is a Metroidvania , the game involves exploring a branching world where each room may contain a few monsters, resources, or some secret. Luca can bounce off walls and use his whip to grab onto rings and break down flimsy walls.

A compelling journey could have been built on this foundation , but Possessor(s) fails to address the player’s thorny issues. The whip doesn’t always latch onto objects properly, making it easy to fall several levels down and have to rerun a large section of the area. Some branches are challenging but yield modest rewards at the end. Other passages are so well-concealed that they can easily be missed, thus missing valuable bonuses. Meanwhile, fast travel is poorly implemented: several teleporters are scattered throughout the vast areas, requiring you to navigate through numerous rooms to reach them.

One thing the game can’t deny is its style. The characters look like they stepped off the cover of a glossy magazine, the landscapes are breathtaking, and the animations are fluid and natural. However, the experience can be marred by less-than-stellar optimization and occasional bugs that the developers haven’t been able to address even after several patches. Possessor(s) certainly has potential, but compared to the best Metroidvanias of recent years, it unfortunately feels rather weak.