Possessor(s) Hands On Preview – Two Minds, One Body, Zero Chill
If you’re a fan of Hollow Knight or any fast-paced, atmospheric platformers, Possessor(s) by Heart Machine (Hyper Light Drifter, Solar Ash, Hyper Light Breaker) deserves a place on your radar.
We had the opportunity to check out the game and were amazed by what this team has accomplished. If you haven’t heard of the game, Heart Machine describes Possessor(s) as, ” a fast-paced action side scroller with combat inspired by platform fighters, a story told through dangerous characters, set in a deep interconnected world ready for exploration.”
Into the Unknown
With a unique dystopian horror aesthetic and tight action-platforming mechanics, the game drops you into a fractured world that demands exploration, adaptation, and resilience. After a brief tutorial, you’re left to venture on your own, free to piece together the world through discovery and exploration. You play as Luca, a reluctant heroine forced to bond with a mysterious demon named Rhem. Follow them on a journey to unmask the secrets of the Agradyne organization as Luca searches for her missing parents.
Little guidance is given, which encourages organic exploration. Hidden rooms, destructible walls, and subtle environmental clues are everywhere, rewarding curiosity with secrets, upgrades, and more profound lore.
Explore and Learn About the World Around You
As you journey through the hauntingly beautiful world of Possessor(s), you’ll encounter various NPCs, each with their own story to tell. Some offer cryptic dialogue, others reveal fragments of their tragic pasts, all of which help piece together the larger narrative of a world ravaged by demonic forces. These characters aren’t just background decoration but remnants of a society broken by corruption and supernatural chaos.
Along the way, you’ll unlock memories that offer glimpses into Luca’s life before the world began falling apart. These flashbacks provide emotional weight and context to her motivations, deepening your connection to her journey. Rhem, the enigmatic entity bound to Luca, adds further mystery, such as who he is and his goal. More questions than answers will make you press forward, making the narrative just as compelling as the gameplay. Even in this demo, the game left me eager to uncover the truth behind this fractured world.
Run, Fight, Die, Repeat
During my time with the demo, I did exactly that—run, fight, die, repeat. The platforming is tight and satisfying, demanding precision and timing. You’ll wall-jump, grapple, dash, and chain abilities to reach new areas and survive increasingly complex combat situations.
Individual enemies are manageable once you learn their patterns. But when they come at you in groups, the game turns chaotic—in a good way. You’ll need to use every ability you’ve earned and think on your feet. And when things get too heated? Run, reposition, and pick them off one by one. Smart strategy pays off just as much as brute skill.
Even in this demo, Possessor(s) shows serious potential. The evolving dynamic between Luca and Rhem hints at deeper story twists to come, and the lore, though cryptic, already has its hooks in me.
A Platformer Worth Waiting for
I came into Possessor(s) knowing only what the trailer and a few images had shown and walked away excited for what was to come. Although it has no release date other than a target 2025 window, from my early hands-on, it’s clear that Heart Machine is crafting something special. The blend of narrative intrigue, rich world-building, and demanding action makes Possessor(s) a platformer worth keeping your eye on.
Possessor(s) will arrive on the PS5 and PC (Steam) sometime this year.
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Great review! I need to check this out when it drops.
I am gonna check this one out. Nicely written review.