I can help with a review overview of Possessor(s) and how it’s been received recently. Direct answer
- Possessor(s) is a Metroidvania/action-platformer from Heart Machine released in 2025, featuring two protagonists, Luca and Rehm, whose story and abilities intertwine as you navigate a large urban labyrinth called Sanzu. Reviews commonly praise its striking visuals, ambitious story, and the character-driven dynamic between the leads, while noting mixed opinions on pacing, map design, and combat complexity.
What critics are highlighting
- Story and character dynamic: Several outlets emphasize the intertwined relationship between Luca and Rehm as a highlight, with strong writing and emotional moments that deepen the world-building. Some reviews feel the narrative improves as the player uncovers the demons’ origins and the city’s collapse.
- World design and Metroidvania structure: The game is described as a large, interconnected maze (often referred to as Sanzu) where traversal abilities unlock new paths. This structure is praised for puzzle-like progression but can feel circuitous or overly maze-like for some players.
- Combat and pacing: Critics note layered, sometimes challenging combat that rewards timing and movement, with moves that double as both traversal tools and attacks. However, several reviews say the combat can feel safe or repetitive over time, and early sections may not fully reveal the game’s teeth until later. A few outlets compare it to fighting-game–meets-platformer mechanics.
- Technical performance: Some outlets flag bugs and optimization issues, with the impression that the game’s polish lags behind its ambitions.
- Overall verdict: The reception is mixed-to-positive overall, with strong admiration for its art direction and story, but reservations about map design, pacing, and technical hiccups that can hinder the experience for some players.
If you’re deciding whether to play
- Consider whether narrative-driven Metroidvania experiences with a strong emphasis on two-character dynamics and stylish action appeal to you. If you enjoy richly styled environments and a game that rewards backtracking to access new areas, Possessor(s) could be a good fit. If you prefer a tightly polished experience with flawless pacing and minimal bugs, you might want to wait for patches or more stable early feedback.
Would you like a brief pros/cons bullets list tailored to your preferences (e.g., story focus vs. combat depth, or PC vs. console performance)?
