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Possessor(s) is a new search-action game from Heart Machine, the studio known for Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash. An early preview offered a look at the game’s opening, its first boss and a portion of its world. The developer describes it as a “search action game,” a term commonly used in Japan for the genre, while its design is also clearly inspired by Metroid-style adventures.
What to know about Possessor(s)
Heart Machine made its debut with Hyper Light Drifter in 2016. The action game became known for its challenging combat, distinctive pixel art, music and wordless narrative. Solar Ash followed and was also well received, though it did not make the same impact as the studio’s first release.
The studio’s more recent game, Hyper Light Breaker, entered Early Access in January. Its initial reception was muted, but development is ongoing and the team is incorporating player feedback. That context makes Possessor(s) a notable new project for players following Heart Machine: it introduces another direction while the studio continues working on Hyper Light Breaker.
Possessor(s) and its Metroidvania influences
Heart Machine producer Myriame Lachapelle uses “search action” to describe Possessor(s). The phrase is often used in Japan for games built around exploration and action. The preview also presented the game as Metroid-inspired, placing it in a tradition of adventures where discovering and exploring a world is central to the experience.
For players deciding whether this style might appeal to them, the genre label is a useful starting point, but it does not explain every detail of a particular game. The preview covered roughly an hour, including the introduction and first boss, and offered an initial opportunity to get a sense of the world. It did not provide enough information to judge the full game, so further details and later coverage will be important for assessing its complete scope.
What the early preview shows
The available preview establishes the game’s broad identity and gives an early look at its opening, but it should not be treated as a complete review. Players interested in Possessor(s) can use the Metroid-inspired description to understand its general genre, while keeping in mind that the full experience may reveal more about its systems, pacing and world.
For now, Possessor(s) marks Heart Machine’s return to a search-action, Metroidvania-inspired format. Its opening hour provides an initial glimpse rather than a final verdict, making it a project to watch as more information becomes available.
