Possessor(s) Review – Art That Outshines Its Action

Owner(s) overview

Each Heart Machine game features a distinct aesthetic, a nuanced approach to storytelling, and beautifully executed gameplay. While Hyper Light Drifter and Sun Ash famed for its design, the studio's open-world online roguelike Hyper Light Breaker struggled to find an audience, which ultimately led to its development being discontinued. WITH Owner(s)the team returns to their roots by once again focusing on solo adventure. Like previous releases, this latest game explores a new genre. Can this ethereal Metroidvania recapture the magic of Heart Machine's early successes, or will it fade into the ether?

You play as Luca, a teenage girl who loses her legs in a terrible accident. Desperate to survive, she makes a pact with a demon who is also fighting for his existence. Bound together, they discover that the city they once called home has become a nightmare overrun by demonic forces. To escape and get their lives back, they must learn to rely on each other. The merging of Luke and Rem creates a tumultuous relationship, and their conflicting personalities add tension and depth to their journey. As the story progresses, you will learn more about each character and the dark history of the city's fall.

A story of two

While there is a deep narrative at the heart of the experience, the use of still images and text without any voice acting can break immersion. Given the sheer amount of dialogue, the performances could have gone a long way in enhancing the story's presentation. The writing itself is strong in places, but since key story moments can be encountered in any order due to the game's open-ended structure, it's easy to lose sight of certain details, which can dull the impact of key moments.

Heart Machine's signature style and flair permeates every aspect of Possessor(s) presentation. The ethereal art direction draws you into its shadowy world, inviting you to uncover the stories hidden within. Each character and creature reflects the developer's distinct design philosophy, making every new encounter feel exciting and unpredictable. While many of the enemies look amazing, some of their designs contrast tonally with the rest, creating occasional visual inconsistencies. The smooth and expressive animation is excellent and enhances the game's already vibrant presentation. Complementing this is a subtle, atmospheric soundtrack that swells at key moments, often culminating in pulsating, techno-inspired beats. Together, these elements help the game create a unique identity in an increasingly crowded genre.

Exploring a maze-like world is not an easy task. You must overcome hazards, jump from platforms and unlock abilities to overcome blockades. Even though there is an odd marker on the map, you are given the freedom to move in any direction and discover organically. Missions are tracked, but their vague descriptions often leave you guessing where to go next or how to find key items. The movement is firm but a little heavy, adding a methodical pace. While the controls are tight, there's nothing particularly special about the platforming, with everything feeling competent but ultimately familiar.

Streets of Rage

There are a variety of enemies lurking in the streets, each type with unique attack patterns that you must dodge, parry, and counterattack. You can combine light and heavy attacks to stun and destroy your opponent. Weapons change your effectiveness, giving you more opportunities to defeat those who cross your path. Using the grapple, you can pull flying creatures down and deliver a vicious strike. Each weapon is connected to the real world, allowing you to use objects such as mice, mobile phones and more to deal damage to enemies. Parrying is fun, with many enemies attacking with projectiles that you can deflect for massive damage. However, melee combat feels a bit stiff and lacks the fluidity seen in other games in the genre.

Bosses are a definite highlight, requiring you to use every skill in your arsenal to counter their relentless attacks and intricate schemes. Patience is necessary; waiting for the perfect moment to strike back often determines success or failure. With only a limited number of healing items, you'll need to approach each fight strategically rather than rushing through it. Checkpoints are spaced fairly, maintaining a satisfying level of difficulty. Here you can restore health, deposit or return currency, and purchase weapon upgrades and other upgrades.

Possessor(s) is a beautiful metroidvania with an open structure that encourages exploration and allows you to progress at your own pace. While the platforming and combat are good, they lack the distinct style needed to match the game's stunning art direction. The storytelling is deep and layered, but its presentation sometimes undermines immersion. While this is a strong and entertaining adventure, it doesn't always deliver on the magic its visuals promise.

***Steam code provided by publisher***