Still, it felt like Possessor(s) was a return to form, offering 2D animated characters in a side-scrolling action-adventure set in a massive 3D world. Unfortunately, despite a compelling premise and some sleek presentation, it also stumbles in various frustrating ways.

The setting is Sanzu City, recently torn apart by a disaster of demonic proportions. A massive otherworldly rift has opened, and demons roam the streets, ravaging the living. Luka, a high school student, is on death’s door after losing her legs, but she happens upon the equally wounded Rhem. Despite watching her best friend, Kaz, get killed by a demon, Luka reluctantly forms a partnership with Rhem, allowing him to possess her and heal her wounds.

It isn’t for free, though, as the player is tasked with escorting Rhem to the epicenter of the rift so he can return to his home dimension. Doing that requires accessing a mysterious underground vault belonging to Agradyne, who effectively runs the city and produces batteries (three guesses about where their energy comes from). You’ll then need to travel to different corners of the map and collect four eyeballs belonging to officials possessed by high-ranking demons to pave the way forward.

As typical as the MacGuffin search feels, Possessor(s) does a pretty decent job of not immediately lapsing into it. Luka spends a significant amount of time getting to know Rhem while mastering her new legs and strength. Their pasts intertwine as memories are mixed and secrets eventually spill forth. The characterization feels spot-on in this regard, with Luka coming across as immature and awkward, but also understanding and down-to-earth. Meanwhile, Rhem, despite his calm, collected demeanor is prone to stubborn callousness.

The barriers between them are slowly but surely whittled down along the way, even if arguments still tend to flare up. Other notable figures include Tens, a former Agradyne employee turned hunter who works alongside a possessed wolf; Professor Foss, Rhem’s former teacher who’s now possessed and mentally unravelling; and more. Outside of accepting quests or acting as vendors and one-time bosses, they don’t have a heavy presence in the plot, with the focus remaining squarely on the eyeball hunt and Luka and Rhem’s dynamic. Nevertheless, they’re intriguing and add to the overall setting with their backstories.

The two core components of Possessor(s) are platforming and combat, and there’s plenty of acquiring new abilities and revisiting previous locations to test them. All your favorites are here, from the grappling hook that also doubles up as pulling smaller enemies towards you to the slide and underwater dash. And while the platformer can feel solid enough as a whole, there are some fumbles, like the grapple not properly latching onto points at times. There are also some delays to your movement in combat – something I learned the hard way when trying to transition from a dash to a crouch to avoid a beam and dying in the process.

"Aesthetically, Possessor(s) is a mix of wonder and intentionally clashing styles. The look and motion of its characters are in stark contrast to the 3D environment, with limited animation frames that still manage to flow together relatively smoothly."

That awkwardness pervades a huge chunk of the combat as well. While attacking, you’re effectively stuck in one direction for the duration of that combo. Enemies aren’t, of course, resulting in frustration. Luka can utilize a primary weapon and three special weapons at a time, ranging from a mouse to juggle enemies into the air to a hockey stick with wide-range smacks. There’s a Super Smash Bros.-like feel to some of the action as you break through guards and knock enemies into each other and the environment, which feels pretty nice. It’s punctuated by parries, which are required to open up certain foes to attacks and reflect projectiles.

Given how many enemies tend to stay just out of reach, the latter can be essential. Occasionally, it’ll feel very generous as you parry multiple bullets back. Due to the lack of any kind of invincibility window when taking damage and the excruciatingly long stun recovery, you can easily get by hit dozens of them at once and die. This leads to some even more annoying runbacks, purely due to the layout of certain sections.

Even if you fully grasp the combat, there isn’t all that much to it beyond smacking enemies away, grappling them back and following up with another attack. The primary weapon variety is surprisingly low, and the special weapons are very mechanically basic. Admittedly, it can be cool to execute a counter-attack with the glasses or charge up a powerful katana slash, but that’s as far as their functionality goes. The affixes also feel a little too straightforward, though providing some lungs for an NPC to cook and effectively buff is one of the more memorable interactions.

Aesthetically, Possessor(s) is a mix of wonder and intentionally clashing styles. The look and motion of its characters are in stark contrast to the 3D environment, with limited animation frames that still manage to flow together relatively smoothly. Well, on most occasions, since some bosses still tend to just kind of float towards you with certain attacks. Regardless, they stand out well against the brutalist architecture of the world, its shadowy undertones and an analogue-like filter which lends an old-school horror feel.

Even the sound design is lovingly on point on most occasions. Possessed books float about, crying like babies while your whip lashes out with all the primalness of a beast. The music is also a nice mix of heavy-handed and moody, whether it’s the disarming nature of the Abandoned Mall’s tunes or the epic feel of the final battle.

"Even the story, when it’s all said and done, peters out in fairly predictable ways. Some elements are left disappointingly open – a significant contrast to how inviting Sanzu City felt when first diving in. "

However, the biggest problem with Possessor(s) outside of its movement and combat issues is that it runs out of steam in the closing hours. One area feels painfully straightforward, consisting of nothing but battle rooms en route to the final boss. The other plays with inverted structures and extensive gaps, but not in any really special way compared to prior areas (and it feels relatively short). While there are reasons to go out of your way, be it in obtaining items to add more affix slots to gear or discovering quest items, it begins to feel superfluous after a point. This leads to frustration when you happen upon any places not tied to your objective. At least many of the bosses feel unique, though the aforementioned combat and movement issues can once again hamper your enjoyment.

Even the story, when it’s all said and done, peters out in fairly predictable ways. Some elements are left disappointingly open – a significant contrast to how inviting Sanzu City felt when first diving in. As a whole, Possessor(s) is a decent side-scrolling action-adventure with some interesting twists, especially surrounding possession, backed by a relatively solid dynamic between its leads.

It just sadly doesn’t venture much further. Maybe that’s on me for being so enthralled by this concept and wanting to see where it ventures next, only to be suitably whelmed by the end. I wouldn’t classify this as Heart Machine’s worst effort by a long shot, but it’s yet another in a long line of personal disappointments for sure.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Among the employees that have been affected by these lay-offs include Myriame Lachapelle, who was serving as producer on Possessor(s), 3D animator Jordan Campbell, VFX artist Ivan Phu, and senior gameplay manager Justin Beales. All three confirmed that they were affected by the lay-offs through posts on social media platform Bluesky.

While Lachapelle will continue to work with the studio until the development of Possessor(s) is done, Phu, Campbell and Beales were seemingly let go on a more immediate basis.

“My heart is heavy & I might have more to say on that later, but I’ve got news today that my time at Heart Machine will come to an end after Possessor(s) ships,” wrote Lachapelle in a post. “I’m honestly too busy… literally shipping the game to start actively looking for work, but I’ll be looking for my next gig in December.”

“My time at Heart Machine has sadly come to a rather abrupt end,” wrote Campbell. “I was there for almost 6 years, & had been working on Breaker since summer 2020. It was a pleasure working with them! Now, a new chapter begins.”

“I just wanted to post, I’m laid off,” wrote Beales. “Just shouting into the void of the internet! It was a beautiful and wonderful team of people to work with at [Heart Machine].”

“Unfortunately my time with the lovely teams of Hyper Light Breaker and Possessor(s) is coming to an end tomorrow,” wrote Phu. “It was a great time working with such passionate and talented individuals on this team and I’m wishing everybody a whole lot of luck and perseverance with job hunting in these hard times”

Heart Machine had announced lay-offs earlier this month, noting that the decision was made due to “broader forces beyond our control.” In its statement, a spokesperson for the studio noted that, after the lay-offs, the studio would still maintain a “smaller core team” while still making sure that those affected would be supported.

The studio had announced its next game, Possessor(s), all the way back in June 2024. The title is being developed for PC and is set for release later this year. However, with this latest round of lay-offs, the current state of the game is currently unknown. Possessor(s) has been described by Heart Machine as a side-scroller that takes place in a mega-city that has been hit by an “interdimensional catastrophe”. The story revolves around two characters – Luca and Rehm – who will both cope with the events of the game in their own distinct ways.

In the meantime, check out our review of Hyper Light Breaker, which came out as an Early Access game earlier this year on PC.

https://bsky.app/profile/mllepilgrim.bsky.social/post/3m4c2kazjfk2n

My time at Heart Machine has sadly come to a rather abrupt end. I was there for almost 6 years, & had been working on Breaker since summer 2020. It was a pleasure working with them!Now, a new chapter begins.

— Virum (@virum.bsky.social) 2025-10-29T14:05:31.448Z

I just wanted to post, I'm laid off. Just shouting into the void of the internet! It was a beautiful and wonderful team of people to work with at HM.

— Burnrate (@burnrate.bsky.social) 2025-10-28T20:06:11.352Z

Unfortunately my time with the lovely teams of Hyper Light Breaker and Possessor(s) is coming to an end tomorrow. It was a great time working with such passionate and talented individuals on this team and i'm wishing everybody a whole lot of luck and perseverance with job hunting in these hard times

— Kuro on Blue~ (@kurothemoop.bsky.social) 2025-10-30T22:36:49.257Z

Of Ash and Steel

An open-world third-person action RPG developed on Unreal Engine 4, that too from a relatively unknown studio? That’s Of Ash and Steel, set in the Kingdom of the Seven, and promising an old-school approach to exploration. Essentially, you need to find your own footing in the world with no markers or quest guidance, and there are plenty of secrets to discover alongside enemies to smack around. Of Ash and Steel is available on November 24th, exclusively for PC.

Lumines Arise

Lumines but somehow even trippier, from the team that brought you surrealist and trippy Tetris. Launching on November 11th for PS5 and PC (with VR support for both), Lumines Arise offers its own Journey Mode, complete with a gorgeous soundscape and visuals, before shuffling you into the real game: Survival. And that’s before creating playlists of stages, completing challenges and playing online, all while ascending to a brand new plane.

Possessor(s)

After the underwhelming Hyper Light Breaker, Heart Machine returns to its 2D roots with Possessor(s), a side-scroller with fighting game-like combos. Players venture through the remains of Sanzu City as Luca, possessed by the mysterious Rhem, using anything and everything to fight off monstrosities. With non-linear exploration, other tragic characters to unravel, and a gorgeous art style, it’s one to keep an eye on ahead of its November 11th release on PS5 and PC.

Where Winds Meet

Everstone Studios’ stunning open-world action RPG has made some seriously strong impressions in China. Its global release is slated for November 14th on PS5 and PC, and thus far, the Wuxia fantasy and depiction of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms still looks as stunning as the combat and traversal. With more than 150 hours of gameplay and co-op-exclusive activities, we can’t wait to unpack it all.

Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road

Announced in 2016, renamed several times, and delayed several times more, Inazuma Eleven is seemingly set to launch, at last, on November 13th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Level-5 Games boasts more than 5,400 characters in a brand new story with, of all things, time-travelling, and anime cutscenes by none other than MAPPA. Whether it lives up to expectations or not, the sheer scope and spectacle are intriguing enough.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

Something something Raul Menendez is alive, and only David Mason and his team can stop the spread of fear, something. The story of Black Ops 7 doesn’t inspire much hope, but the prospect of four-player campaign co-op is intriguing, especially the 32-player end-game. But except for new maps and modes in multiplayer, a new Wall-Bounce mechanic, and a fresh Zombies experience, this is about as Call of Duty as you’d expect in this day and age. It’s out on November 14th for Xbox and PlayStation consoles alongside PC.

Escape from Tarkov

Numerous years and controversies later, Battlestate Games’ Escape from Tarkov Version 1.0 is finally launching on November 15th for PC. As a hardcore extraction shooter experience, it’s received extensive praise for its survival elements (including a realistic injury and treatment system) and realistic gunplay. It’s no Escape From Duckov, but with 11 maps and a PvE mode, its official launch could either be game-changing or grounds for even more controversies.

Syberia Remastered

A full remaster of the title that started it all, Syberia Remastered offers improved visuals, transforming classic locations while retaining their atmosphere. It also offers more refined puzzles, better controls, and an updated UI to make experiencing Kate Walker’s journey through the real and fantastical that much smoother. Syberia Remastered launches on November 6th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Kirby Air Riders

If more than 105 minutes of footage meticulously laying out features across two Directs wasn’t enough to sell you on Kirby Air Riders before its November 20th release, then nothing will. Between a new Story Mode featuring the Fountain of Dreams and Nova, the return of Top Ride, all the classic tracks from the original, and everything in between, Kirby could once again be a dark horse among Switch 2 releases this year.

Project Motor Racing

It’s not quite Project CARS 4, but with some of the talent from Slightly Made and the backing of Giants Software, Project Motor Racing could be the next best thing. It packs more than 70 cars and 27 meticulously recreated tracks with dynamic weather, a day/night cycle, a Career Mode, multiplayer and events. All this, complete with realistic physics and sound design. What more could you want? We’ll find out when Motor Racing launches on November 25th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Terminator 2D: No Fate

Bitmap Bureau revisits the legendary action film, but through the lens of a retro-style 2D side-scrolling shooter. After several delays, Terminator 2D: No Fate is finally launching on November 26th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch, and if its visuals and action weren’t enough, you can also explore alternate scenarios based on decisions, resulting in completely different endings.

Football Manager 26

After cancelling last year’s edition, Sports Interactive is set to deliver Football Manager 26 on November 4th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. While numerous leagues and tons of players are a given, it’s all the other changes that have us excited, including an overhauled manager creation system, extensively reworked UI, and – for the first time – a partnership with FIFA.

Rennsport

What if RoboCop: Rogue City developer Teyon offered a racing sim? You get Rennsport, which releases out of early access on November 13th for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S. Developed alongside Competition Company, it offers a range of different vehicle classes, iconic tracks like Daytona and Spa-Francorchamps, and multiplayer. Early access impressions aren’t the most positive, but maybe Version 1.0 will turn things around.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (PS5)

Exactly one year later, GSC Game World’s survival sandbox has grown a lot, not to mention improved by leaps and bounds on a technical level. On PS5, it offers even more, from DualSense support to gyroscope aiming on top of PS5 Pro support. And while it may sound gimmicky, hearing the radio through the microphone or playing the guitar with the touchpad feels right. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl arrives on PS5 just in time to celebrate its first anniversary – November 20th.

Constance

Looking for a less strenuous side-scroller after Silksong? Constance could very well be it with a beautiful hand-drawn style and surreal mindscape created by its protagonist. Even if several of the basics look familiar, combat offers unique mechanics, from dispelling darkness to transforming into paint to climb up walls. Launching on November 24th, Constance will be available on PC, with console releases to follow in 2026.

Previously a teacher to Luca, the demonic disaster in Sanzu City resulted in the death of his students and possession by the Knowledge Demon. Though Foss is still receptive to conversation, this short indicates that the demon is tearing away at him beyond simply altering his appearance.

Of course, the trip to the school is for more than just reuniting with Foss, as Luca and Rhem delve into the basement to learn more about some “mysterious research.” What this could lead to remains unknown, but it won’t be long before we find out. For more details on the side-scrolling action title, including the combat and weapons that Luca can wield, head here.

Set in the near future following a sudden interdimensional crisis, the story follows Luca, who makes a pact with Rhem. The latter’s energy was siphoned by the corporation Agradyne, resulting in this catastrophe, and they must now work together to survive. While this is a side-scrolling action title, the weapon roster includes guitars, a computer mouse, and even sunglasses.

The combat takes cues from Super Smash Bros., offering directional inputs for attacks and juggles to execute devastating combos. Of course, the usual assortment of movement abilities, from a whip to grapple across areas and wall-running to smashing through floors, is also included.

Possessor(s) will be available for PS5 and PC. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

Possessor(s) occurs in the futuristic Sanzu City, now in ruins after an outbreak of demons (linked to megacorp Agradyne) that transformed humanity into monsters. The protagonist is Luca, a former high school student possessed by the demon Rhem who seeks to return home.

As they explore Sanzu and learn about Agradyne’s excesses, Luca will utilize various melee weapons, from knives and hockey sticks to a guitar and even a PC mouse (with different buttons corresponding to separate weapons). Continually attacking enemies will stagger them, but you can also juggle them and use Rhem’s whip to grapple them. The whip also comes in handy while platforming.

Sanzu is an interconnected world with various districts, and you’ll have to face demons possessing all kinds of objects. Additional abilities and weapon mods become available as you progress.

Possessor(s) doesn’t have a release date yet. Check out some new brief new gameplay below.

Excited to announce that Possessor(s) from @HeartMachineHQ is coming to @PlayStation 5 later this year!

Head on over to the PlayStation Blog to get the details on the dark and stylish world of @PossessorsGame: https://t.co/LGhMSoVYND pic.twitter.com/5mQuoT2BIm

— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) March 19, 2025

As Luca and Rehm, the former a host and the latter her “counterpart,” Possessor(s) is a side scroller taking place in a mega-city ravaged by an “interdimensional catastrophe.” Of course, they encounter other characters, each coping with the fallout differently. It vaguely reminds one of the acclaimed comic series Monstress, which is good.

While the ruined environments are 3D, the characters are hand-drawn and animated. Platforming is touted as “tight” and “fast-paced” with various movement skills, but combat is equally enthralling, with combos, air attacks, juggles and more. As you explore, new weapons and upgrades are discovered, which help to challenge the various bosses lurking in the city.

Stay tuned for more details on Possessor(s) in the coming months, and check out its Steam page.