Possessor(s) Reviews
Possessor(s) just does’t live up to the potential. It’s a functionally competent and serviceable metroidvania title that does little to stand out in the wave of excellent metroidvania titles. There are some good ideas, and I had a blast with some of the more creative boss fights, but weak level design and combat issues hold it back. This one needed a little more time to develop.
Possessor(s) is flash, stylish and fabulous in its presentation, but where the strong visuals and weighty soundtrack offer a glimpse of an incredible game under the surface, the mediocre pacing and unusual design choices hamper the experience. Even so, Metroidvania fans should definitely give the game their time to enjoy a compelling, well-written story.
A stirring story of emotional abuse and the horrors of capitalism reinforce fine search-action play.
Possessor is a work of obvious and fascinating contradictions. A title that shines at its highest peaks, but stumbles loudly in its structural flaws. Heart Machine has crafted an exceptional combat system: fast, technical, deep, and free of unnecessary frustrations such as “contact damage”. This playful pillar is supported by sumptuous art direction, a bold 2D/3D hybrid that gives it a unique and memorable visual identity. However, the game's Metroidvania soul is its most fragile pillar. The title suffers from confusing exploration and a poorly implemented fast travel system that makes backtracking an exercise in endless patience. Despite everything, the overall experience is thoroughly convincing thanks to the strength of its combat and narrative coherence. Possessor(s) is an experience to recommend to those looking for satisfying combat and a fascinating world, willing to overlook its exploratory flaws.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Possessor(s) creates a disconnect when you hold the controller. There's a disconnect between what it seems to offer (adversity, atmosphere, powers) and its execution (the fluidity and frenetic nature of the gameplay). This near-dissonance makes it feel generic, like many games in this genre recently, though the atmosphere and aesthetics remain highly appealing.
Review in French | Read full review
Heart Machine has done a stellar job in trying to make it into the Metroidvania space. Whilst the art direction and combat are enjoyable, quite a few other things lets down this demonic extravaganza. Thankfully, it doesn’t outstay its welcome despite too much pointless discourse, but its characters and ending are well worth being trapped in Sanzu City. This won’t be your favourite metroidvania, but there’s plenty here for lovers of the genre to discover.
Possessor(s) is an enjoyable, smooth-running, well-presented title with a fun combat system and polished art direction. It's a product that works and that knows how to entertain anyone familiar with the genre. However, it cannot escape what we might call the comfort zone trap: a safe, reassuring place where everything is done well, but without that proverbial spark. And in a landscape full of innovative, bold, and experimental Metroidvania games, staying in the comfort zone means risking remaining a good product that will never leave its mark.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Possessor(s) isn’t short on heart and style, but sometimes the gameplay doesn’t seem as innovative and tight as the concept. PC version reviewed. Review copy provided by company for testing purposes.
Possessor(s) is a Metroidvania with a powerful setting, but its ideas never quite come together. Its post-apocalyptic world and the relationship between Luca and Rehm are interesting, but the game is weighed down by a map design that lacks variety, imprecise controls, unfulfilling exploration, and combat that falls short. It's a title for those who never miss a Metroidvania.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Possessor(s) is a visually arresting 2D action-adventure that blends fast-paced metroidvania combat with a character-driven story. While the relationship between its two leads is compelling, the broader narrative lacks the same impact. Combat remains the highlight thanks to varied weapon types and strategic enemy design, though some balancing issues and uneven dialogue can drag the experience down. It’s a game with strong mechanics and bold style, even if it doesn’t always hit emotionally.
Possessor(s) isn’t a genre-defining metroidvania, but it grips you with its dark, stylish world. Heart Machine delivers a satisfying combat system, striking art direction, and a ’90s anime vibe. Despite chaotic progression and some questionable design choices, exploring Sanzu and uncovering Luca and Rhem’s bond remains compelling. Not a masterpiece, but a worthy experience that offers hours of challenge and atmosphere for fans of moody, stylish worlds.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Possessor(s) took me by surprise. I knew nothing about it going in, bar the reveal trailer I watched as I discovered it. It is fun, funny, and heartfelt. It tells a fairly emotional story, one that reflects on humanity, our drivers, and what makes us human. Whilst giving us a whole load of demonic bad guys to murder.
Possessor(s) is one of those games that sticks with you more for its moment-to-moment experience than for its overall plot. The story’s corporate-villain angle is serviceable but nothing new, what makes it special are the characters, the world, and the combat. Luca and Rhem’s journey from reluctant partners to something resembling mutual understanding gives the story its heart. The fast, stylish action and demanding boss fights give it its soul.
Possessor(s) is a good Metroidvania experience crafted by the talented studio Hear Machine. The mechanics are well-established and reminiscent of the classics of the genre, but what impressed us most was the art design, which is one of the best we've seen lately. We still have some doubts, especially regarding the world navigation system and some effects that make the battles difficult to follow, but overall, Possessor(s) was enjoyable.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Possessor(s) is a polished, character-driven Metroidvania that blends fluid combat, rewarding exploration, and emotionally engaging storytelling. It doesn't change the genre, but its bright visuals, smart gameplay, and memorable main characters make it a fun and enjoyable experience.
Possessor(s) is a brave return to the 2D genre that made Heart Machine famous. The fighting is fun, the main characters are interesting, and the art direction is definitely stylish. However, it struggles to maintain that pace throughout the entire adventure. Heart Machine's triumphant comeback is hurt by too much repetition in the environment, uneven combat improvement, and a story that sometimes goes off track.
Possessor(s) has some imperfections, but it’s still an atmospheric, rewarding, and stylish Metroidvania that offers plenty for players to enjoy. Strong combat ideas, a compelling central duo, and the striking visual flair do a lot of heavy lifting, and whilst some mechanical hiccups and occasional pacing issues do get in the way, they never stop the game from being fun to play. If you’re looking for a Metroidvania fix that’s stylish with satisfying combat and forgiving exploration, Possessor(s) is well worth taking a look at.
Possessor(s)' gameplay is challenging, the environments are stunning, and the story is superb. You can't go wrong with this intense and interesting sci-fi action game.
Possessor(s) lacks the unique pizazz of some recent Metroidvanias, but delivers a solid adventure in its own right.
Possessor(s) is a visually striking journey supported by agile combat, yet it lacks the boldness that could have made it truly memorable. The relationship between Luca and Rhem adds emotional weight to the story, and the battle system provides exciting moments, but the metroidvania structure feels too basic. In the end, the game manages to engage and hold our interest, but it settles for playing it safe, delivering a competent experience, though far from the potential its premise promised.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review