Developed by Heart Machine, the studio behind Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, Possessor(s) marks a return to 2D side-scrolling after their extensive 3D experiments. The game runs on a custom engine optimized for fluid animation, with a file size of about 4GB and system requirements starting at Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, and GTX 960 graphics for smooth 60fps play.
The story centers on Luca, a young woman in Sanzu City, a once-utopian corporate enclave built by the megacorp Agradyne. Three years before the events, an interdimensional rift opened, releasing demons that possess humans and twist them into monsters. Luca loses her legs in the chaos but forms a pact with Rhem, a demon who grafts new ones onto her in exchange for hosting him. This bond lets players switch control between Luca’s human form and Rhem’s demonic abilities, affecting movement and attacks. The narrative unfolds through dialogue with survivors and flashbacks, with choices leading to branching paths and multiple endings. Voice acting uses a small cast, including Alx Preston as Rhem, delivered in a stylized, urgent tone.
The total Gameplay lasts around 10-15 hours for a main playthrough, expanding with exploration. It falls under the search-action genre, similar to Metroidvanias, where players map out non-linear districts of Sanzu City. Starting in a collapsed neighborhood, you progress to skyscrapers, labs, and an aquarium, each with unique layouts. Backtracking unlocks new areas via abilities like double jumps or grapples. Checkpoints are frequent, reducing frustration in tough sections.
Table of Contents
Gameplay Mechanics and Combat
Movement forms the foundation, with tight controls for running, jumping, and wall-clinging. Luca starts with basic dashes and a rope pull for enemies or ledges. As you bond with Rhem, demonic traits emerge, like shadow bursts for short flights or claw swipes. Switching forms mid-air or combat adds strategy; Rhem’s heavier attacks break armor, while Luca’s lighter ones chain combos. The 120Hz support on PS5 ensures responsive input, with aim assist optional for controllers.
Combat in Possessor(s) draws inspiration from platform fighters like Smash Bros., emphasizing aerial juggles and ground pounds. Enemies range from possessed humans with melee charges to flying mutants that spit projectiles. Basic attacks include a sword slash and kick, upgradable to fire-infused versions. Parrying, unlocked early, stuns foes if timed right, opening follow-ups. Bosses, like a multi-phase guardian demon, test pattern recognition over brute force. Health regenerates slowly via pickups, but a soul meter tied to Luca-Rhem tension depletes if overused, forcing balance.
Exploration rewards scanning for secrets. Hidden rooms contain lore notes or weapon mods, like extending rope range. The map auto-fills as you travel, with icons for locked paths. Puzzles involve environmental interactions, such as flooding rooms to reach high platforms or possessing weak enemies to solve switches. Difficulty scales gradually, with optional hard mode post-completion.
Performance holds steady at 1080p/60fps on mid-range PCs, dipping to 50fps in dense enemy waves without tweaks. PS5 version includes haptic feedback for impacts, enhancing immersion.
Story and World Design
Sanzu City serves as a living character, a flooded dystopia blending cyberpunk and horror. 3D environments provide depth, with hand-drawn 2D sprites for characters and effects overlayed. Ruins show pre-catastrophe life: abandoned offices with flickering holograms, schools half-submerged. The color palette uses desaturated grays and blues, punctuated by orange rift energy for tension.
Luca’s arc explores possession’s toll. Rhem, bitter from Agradyne’s experiments, pushes aggressive plays, while Luca favors caution. Dialogue trees let you side with one, altering alliances with NPCs like a scavenger or rogue scientist. Flashbacks reveal the rift’s origin, tied to corporate greed. Endings vary from reconciliation to betrayal, replayable in 4-6 hours. Themes touch control and symbiosis, without preachiness.
Audio design fits the mood. A synth-heavy soundtrack by Disasterpeace builds unease in quiet areas, ramping to electronic pulses in fights. Sound effects, like wet splashes and demonic growls, use spatial audio on PS5 for directionality.
Tech specs and requirements
Possessor(s) requires modest specs: Windows 10/11, i5-3470 CPU, 8GB RAM, GTX 960 GPU, 4GB storage. It supports controllers like DualSense and keyboard/mouse, with customizable bindings. Accessibility includes color-blind modes, subtitle resizing, and aim assist levels. No built-in photo mode, but pause screenshots work.
Development faced hurdles, including layoffs at Heart Machine in October 2025 affecting polish, per reports. A demo from June 2025 previewed early areas, helping refine controls. Updates post-launch plan bug fixes and cosmetic DLC, with no microtransactions.
Platforms are PC (Steam) and PS5 at launch, with Switch and Xbox versions in development for 2026. Price is USD 29.99 / INR 2499, with a 10% launch discount. Save data syncs via Google Play on PS5.
