Possessor(s) Is A Fashionable Facet Scroller With The DNA Of A Soulslike

Developer Coronary heart Machine has been busy.

Following the launch of Hyper Light Breaker, the successor to Hyper Light Drifter, they’ve additionally been arduous at work on Possessor(s), which is described as a “fast-paced motion facet scroller.” In actuality, it is a hybrid between old-school facet scrollers, Metroidvanias, and sure, Soulslike titles.

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There is no scarcity of Soulslike video games within the indie world. If I had a greenback for each Soulslike that exists, I would be capable of purchase Elden Ring: Tarnished Version for the Nintendo Switch 2.

It is a in style style for a cause: the video games are well-crafted, difficult, and profitable. From Hole Knight to 9 Sols, and every part in between, Possessor(s) enters a crowded house.

Fortunately, Coronary heart Machine has the pedigree to drag it off. After spending roughly an hour or so with the sport, there’s a number of promise right here. All of it is determined by whether or not they can observe by means of and stand out from their friends.

A Deal With The Satan

Possessor(s) begins in a reasonably horrifying method. You play as Luca, a woman who lives in a megacity that has skilled mass destruction. Luca isn’t any stranger to this terror, as she’s misplaced each of her legs and is within the means of bleeding out.

The sport begins as she crawls in direction of a demon named Reth, who needs to make her a deal: she will get her legs again as long as she helps this mischievous man out with a process. We do not have a selection, so it is time to make a cope with a demon.

Then we grow to be a demon ourselves and get possessed by Rehm. I suppose we’re caught with this man, so we might higher do what he says. We’re given hints at each characters’ backstories by means of reliving reminiscences of each Luca and Rehm. There are some important moments right here that assist flesh the characters out. Sadly, they have been fairly restricted of their scope, given the demo lasts roughly 30–40 minutes.

The Gameplay Feels Very Acquainted

If you happen to’ve ever performed an indie Metroidvania Soulslike earlier than, then Possessor(s) is like driving a motorbike.

Gameplay consists of exploring a 2D labyrinth-like world. Choosing up upgrades, resembling a grappling hook or a parry, offers you entry to new areas that allow you to progress and full your duties. There is a good mixture of platforming alongside the fight to assist maintain issues contemporary, although the platforming feels somewhat naked bones up to now.

Exploration feels fleshed out and pure. There is no must seek for any secret passages you could miss at first look. Moreover, backtracking was by no means a problem. In a single case, I needed to dive deep down right into a basement to choose up an improve and unlock a door.

Fortunately, an elevator was ready for me to carry me again to stated door. It is at all times good when these video games respect my time, as a result of there’s nothing extra irritating than having to backtrack by means of 5 to 10 minutes of the sport to maintain progressing ahead.

I did get to expertise one boss battle, and it delivered. It is a quick, frantic battle that examined my reflexes and talents with out being too overly troublesome. It is nonetheless a problem, however you will not die a number of instances over should you perceive the core mechanics at play right here.

It was good to see that makes an attempt to cheese the struggle, resembling repeatedly dodging, weren’t overly efficient. I am excited to see how different boss battles can observe swimsuit.

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A Beautiful Trying Recreation

From the beginning, Possessor(s) would not try to cover its sense of fashion. The graphics are vivid, vibrant, and slick, but in addition convey a way of darkness and despair. It matches nicely with the sport’s subdued soundtrack.

Given the grim nature of the sport’s story, the presentation pairs completely with the narrative. We’re attempting to recuperate from a horrific accident, uncovering the mysteries of town we thought we knew so nicely. There are a number of good touches at play right here.

The darkish, dreary setting of a mega-corp’s basement makes you’re feeling such as you’re exploring locations you should not be in. The extremely vivid gentle from the interdimensional rift that tore town aside. Darkish, metropolis streets lit by streetlights within the rain. It is all extremely atmospheric and does an amazing job of emphasizing the temper we needs to be feeling.

There is a particular sense of marvel inside Possessor(s) that encourages me to discover and progress, however the story and characters must uphold their finish of the cut price. After taking part in by means of the demo a number of instances, it is simply my largest concern.

The Writing Would not Give Me A lot Optimism Proper Now

Not like Hyper Mild Drifter, there’s a big emphasis on story in Possessor(s). The fixed dialogue between Luca and Reth is a serious focus of the sport, with Luca being somewhat on the naive facet and Reth prepared to point out Luca how the world actually works.

Naturally, Luca is not too happy that Reth has possessed her physique. Towards the backdrop of extra severe story components, the bickering between Luca and Reth was entrance and middle throughout the demo. The problem right here is not essentially the backwards and forwards, however the way it was portrayed. The writing felt juvenile, with insults I hadn’t heard since highschool being thrown round. Maybe it suits inside Luca’s character to speak this fashion, but it surely feels extremely jarring.

I can already inform there will likely be some hard-hitting, emotional moments ready for me in Possessor(s). In consequence, the standard of the writing wants to satisfy these moments. Up to now, I am not precisely assured that would be the case.

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Upgrades! Get Your Upgrades Right here!

Whereas I did not get an opportunity to totally discover upgrading my talents and introducing affixes to my weapons, I did get a bite-sized style of how that system works.

Each time you kill an enemy, you may receive Chroma. It is the sport’s essential foreign money. Consider it just like, nicely, Souls. If you happen to die, you may lose all of your Chroma, however should you return to the scene of your demise with out perishing, you’ll be able to achieve all of them again. Sound acquainted? You are additionally capable of retailer them within the occasion you are headed someplace dangerous.

The Chroma, together with choose different objects accessible, helps you to improve Luca to grow to be stronger. In Metroidvania trend, there’s additionally a number of talents ready to be found as you discover the world. This consists of important talents such because the grapple hook and parrying, in addition to affixes to go onto your weapons. It is a good stability between the Soulslike and Metroidvania designs that helps tie issues collectively.

It is clear that Heart Machine is taking inspiration from each genres, even all the way down to the “bonfires” that exist in recreation. I am excited to see how deep these methods go. If Coronary heart Machine can pull it off nicely, we’ll be in enterprise.

I consider Possessor(s) has the potential to grow to be one other nice indie title from Coronary heart Machine, but it surely must observe by means of and execute. Whereas my time with the sport up to now has been restricted, there’s loads to take pleasure in, particularly the sport’s fight and Metroidvania-style exploration.

The writing, nevertheless, must observe by means of. As is, it breaks any sense of immersion the sport creates, and has me preferring to skip the dialogue and get again to the motion. I hope that after I dive deeper into the world of Possessor(s), I proceed to love what I see.