Possessor(s) is a demonic Metroidvania with Smash Bros. combat

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Initially, Luca is pinned under debris, struggling to survive while witnessing a monstrous entity slaughter her closest companion. Miraculously, she manages to flee, only to find herself in grave condition, losing both legs beneath the rubble. A horrifying creature approaches, mortally wounded, proposing an alliance. This grotesque being is none other than Rehm, a demon. From that moment forth, they become conjoined in a single physical form and consciousness. Remarkably, Luca maintains control, with Rehm allowing her to retain the driver’s seat, albeit now equipped with new legs, horns, and supernatural abilities.

To summarize, Luca resides in a city under siege by demons, with a vast, impersonal corporation controlling the area and confining everyone within for quarantine. Regrettably, the demon merging operation has lasted an astounding three years, leaving Luca little more than fulfill her part of the agreement, assist Rehm in exposing the corporation’s involvement, and maintain hope in locating any trace of her parents during this journey. As a side effect, several failed demon possessions are rampant throughout the city, resembling wild beasts, and it so happens that Luca now possesses the ability to subdue them.

Studio Heart Machine, creators of the indie hit Hyper Light Drifter, is renowned for its striking, morbid aesthetics, and Possessor(s) follows suit in this regard. The setting is both dark and vibrant simultaneously, making it as unsettlingly mysterious as it is awe-inspiring to behold. In contrast to the bright, yet unnatural hues of Luca, the real-world elements are more subdued and ordinary, providing a striking juxtaposition between what seems appropriate and what appears out of place.

This game’s combat system is equally captivating, drawing inspiration from platform fighters like Super Smash Bros. or the late MultiVersus. At first sight, this implies you can wield secondary weapons by pressing a button, with or without directional input, much like special moves in Smash. However, it offers more than just that – there’s also a knockback aspect to striking enemies and concluding an attack sequence, which plays a role in creating combos.

Beyond the standard platform fighter mechanics, there’s a “character action” aspect to the combat system, which imbues it with a Devil May Cry-inspired feel in terms of how you engage and defeat opponents. Despite the straightforward controls, you can expand your combo sequences when enemies are vulnerable, incorporating launchers, aerial maneuvers, and various tricks based on your chosen equipment. Additionally, there’s a skill similar to a grappling hook that allows you to pull enemies towards you or propel yourself towards larger ones. Secondary weapons with launching, reaching, or grappling capabilities are at your disposal, enabling you to manipulate the knockback effectively, keeping enemies airborne until they no longer pose a threat.

Absolutely, what I was experiencing was just a demo version, not allowing me to delve deeply into the ominous narrative, intriguing battle mechanics, or explore the expansive Metroidvania-style map. The game Possessor(s) is slated for release on consoles and PC towards the end of 2025, so I’ll have to be patient until then. However, with its vibrant colors, gripping plot, and action-packed combat, it has certainly piqued my interest.

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2025-06-07 03:29