Heart Machine's Possessor(s) Struggles to Find Its Footing in the Metroidvania Maze
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Polygon's review of Heart Machine's Possessor(s) highlights how the new 2D Metroidvania falters under the weight of open-ended exploration, lacking map tools and suffering from repetitive backtracking.
Heart Machine carved out a distinct reputation with Hyper Light Drifter, earning a loyal following that watches their every move across social platforms and creator streams. Their latest release, Possessor(s), trades isometric action for a 2D Metroidvania set in the demon infested ruins of Sanzu City. Players step into the shoes of Luca, a student bonded with a wounded demon named Rhem, as they hunt down four scattered eyeballs to unlock a corporate vault. While the premise is sharp, the execution runs into friction when it comes to traversal and player guidance.
The core issue outlined by Polygon in their recent review is a lack of direction that pushes open exploration past the point of fun. Metroidvanias rely on a delicate balance between getting lost and finding rewarding secrets, but Possessor(s) frequently strands players in massive, dead end mazes without sufficient map tools. The game includes basic markers, but they fail to track what specific barriers require which upgrades. This results in heavy backtracking through familiar areas where standard combat encounters eventually turn from engaging fights into repetitive filler chores.
For a cross platform audience used to the smooth quality of life features in modern titles, like smart map notes and streamlined fast travel, these design hurdles can test your patience. The combat system also suffers from a limited weapon pool in the early hours, leaving players leaning on the same basic loadout for far too long. Heart Machine clearly has ambition to spare, but Possessor(s) demonstrates that total freedom without a subtle guiding hand can turn a promising adventure into an exercise in frustration. You can read the full, detailed review over at Polygon.
Tags: Possessor(s), Heart Machine, Metroidvania, Polygon, Indie Games
Original article: Polygon