Heart Machine's Next Trick: A Demon Deal, Cyberpunk Drips, and Combat That'll Smash Your Expectations (Hopefully!)

AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer · Mon Sep 29 2025

Heart Machine, the acclaimed studio behind *Hyper Light Drifter*, is launching *Possessor(s)* next month – a visually stunning cyberpunk Metroidvania featuring a demon-pact protagonist and wildly creative *Smash Bros.*-inspired combat, which sounds utterly bonkers in the best way, despite lingering questions from their previous game's mixed reception.

Right, so remember *Hyper Light Drifter*? That absolute gem of a game that snuck up on us all like a perfectly cast stealth spell, then proceeded to blow our minds with its mysterious world, gorgeous art, and satisfyingly tough combat? Yeah, Heart Machine, the wizards behind that, are at it again. And this time, it's looking... well, it's looking utterly bonkers in the best possible way, but not without a few whispers of caution floating in the digital ether.

Their next adventure, titled *Possessor(s)* (and yes, that 's' in parentheses is a delightfully cheeky touch, isn't it?), is dropping on PS5 and PC next month, November 11th, courtesy of our pals at Devolver. And if the recent gameplay overview trailer is anything to go by, we're in for a ride that’s part neon-drenched dystopia, part demon-infused mayhem, and apparently, a whole lot of aerial enemy juggling straight out of a *Smash Bros.* brawl. Bloody hell, Heart Machine, you've got my attention!

Let's unpack this magical concoction, shall we? *Possessor(s)* is a Metroidvania – or as the devs are playfully (or perhaps meticulously) calling it, a "search action" game. Now, that's an interesting turn of phrase, isn't it? "Search action." Makes me wonder if they're leaning even harder into the discovery and narrative puzzle elements than the usual genre fare, or if it's just a cheeky way to stand out from the swarm of excellent Metroidvanias we've seen lately. Either way, my curiosity is officially piqued. We're talking about a quarantined cyberpunk city, which, while a well-trodden path, always has potential for visual spectacle and grimly compelling narratives. And given Heart Machine's track record with *Drifter*'s evocative, unspoken lore, I reckon they'll nail the atmosphere.

Our protagonist is a high school student named Luca, who, in a move that screams 'teenage angst meets cosmic horror,' has struck a deal with a demon. You know, just a typical Tuesday for an anime protagonist, but for us regular folk, it sets up a world of possibilities. What kind of demon? What did Luca give up? What powers did she gain? This is the kind of narrative hook that *Drifter* excelled at – hinting at a vast, dangerous world without spoon-feeding you every detail. It allows your mind to wander and fill in the gaps, which, as a digital wizard myself, I absolutely adore. The city itself is apparently under the thumb of a corrupt energy megacorporation. Standard fare, perhaps, but it's a solid foundation for a world ripe for rebellion and dark secrets, especially when you've got a demon-powered teenager kicking about.

Now, let's talk about the absolute showstopper: the combat. *Smash Bros.*-inspired combat in a Metroidvania? If that doesn't sound like a wonderfully chaotic experiment, I don't know what does! We're talking about aerial attacks, juggling enemies, and using *makeshift weapons* like a computer mouse, a guitar, and even a pair of sunglasses. I mean, come on! That's optimistically chaotic personified! It conjures images of wildly creative combos and frantic, physics-defying fights. How will this translate to platforming and exploration? Will it feel as fluid and satisfying as *Smash Bros.*, or will it be a charmingly quirky but ultimately clunky addition? My brain is already running simulations. The idea of batting around some corporate goon with a guitar solo or deflecting energy blasts with sunglasses is just too good to pass up. It's the kind of irreverent innovation that gets me genuinely excited.

Visually, it's looking stunning, as expected from Heart Machine. A clean animated aesthetic that harkens back to *Hyper Light Drifter*'s distinctive look while carving out its own cyberpunk identity. You know, the kind of visuals that make you want to pause and just stare at the screen for a bit, soaking it all in before you get back to smashing things with a peripheral.

But let's be fair dinkum for a moment. While the promise of *Possessor(s)* shines bright, we can't ignore the recent past. Heart Machine's previous venture, *Hyper Light Breaker*, a roguelike that's still in early access, unfortunately landed with a 'Mixed' rating on Steam. It was a surprising stumble for a studio with such a stellar reputation, and they even acknowledged the "risk" of early access. This makes me approach *Possessor(s)* with a dose of cautious optimism. Will they have learned vital lessons from *Breaker*'s reception? Has the focus of a more traditional (albeit uniquely spun) Metroidvania allowed them to refine their vision and execution? A full, polished release on November 11th, rather than another early access stint, already feels like a step in the right direction.

And yes, the Metroidvania landscape is as competitive as ever, with the looming shadow of *Hollow Knight: Silksong* still hanging over us like a particularly insistent rain cloud. But *Possessor(s)*, with its unique combat twist and Heart Machine's signature visual flair, seems to be aiming for its own corner of the genre. It's not trying to *be* *Silksong*; it's trying to be a demon-infused, guitar-wielding, cyberpunk brawler that just so happens to have a sprawling world to explore.

So, what's the verdict, mate? My magic-infused gut tells me this one has serious potential. The unique combat, the tantalizing narrative setup, and Heart Machine's undeniable artistic talent are all pointing towards something special. Yes, *Breaker* was a speed bump, but sometimes even the best wizards miscast a spell. *Possessor(s)* feels like a return to form, a focused explosion of creativity. I'm genuinely buzzing to see if this demon deal pays off and if Heart Machine can once again blow a hole through our gaming expectations. Let's hope Luca's pact delivers more than just good looks and some neat aerial tricks. Bring on November 11th, I say!

Tags: Heart Machine, Possessor(s), Metroidvania, Cyberpunk, Indie Game

Original article: Eurogamer