Possessor(s)
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Possessor(s)
A stylish metroidvania with crunchy combat and a delightfully melancholy mood, but some will find it too safe and frictionless.
All in all, there’s some entertainment in the story, dialogue, and possessed objects that attack you. The bosses are nicely designed, and the world-building is pretty great – but it all wears thin too quickly when it’s such a slog to play.
The most disappointing aspect of Possessors is that it plays it quite safe compared to Heart Machine’s past titles, Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash. Little about its formula will surprise Metroidvania enthusiasts; still, the studio has nonetheless notched another entertaining single-player action game under its belt, proving its action and world-building chops transcend genre.
Heart Machine's latest game, Possessor(s), is a remarkable 2D indie.
Heart Machine's Possessor(s) is an attractive 2D metroidvania, with odd design choices.
Possessor(s) is a beautiful Metroidvania with an open structure that encourages exploration and lets you progress at your own pace. While its platforming and combat are both solid, they lack the distinctive flair needed to match the game’s stunning art direction. The narrative is deep and layered, but its delivery sometimes undermines immersion. Despite being a strong and engaging adventure, it doesn’t always capture the magic its visuals promise.
Possessor(s) brings a lot of success to the table: lots of boss fights, chunky and engaging combat, and a robust world to explore. Combine that with a strong narrative, and you have a recipe for success. The whip needs some optimization, and progressing the story can easily stagnate once the map opens up. Possessor(s) may not be able to contend with the titans of the genre, but it doesn't need to. It still provides a good experience for anyone interested in Metroidvanias.
Possessor(s) is perfectly fine while it's happening, but its rote exploration and weak enemy variety mean it'll be hard to remember once it's over.
