Devolver Digital and Hyper Light Drifter developer Heart Machine have announced that their next big project, Possessor(s), will launch on November 11, 2025, for PC and PlayStation 5. The announcement was paired with a new Gameplay Overview trailer, showcasing more of the game’s haunting world, fluid combat, and its unique genre blend, dubbed “Search Action” by Heart Machine.
In Possessor(s), players step into the role of Luca, a high schooler left broken after an interdimensional disaster destroys Sanzu City. On the brink of death, Luca makes a desperate pact with Rhem, a demon newly freed from confinement, who takes up residence inside her body. Together, they set out across the quarantined city, navigating both external horrors and the complicated bond between host and demon.
Stylish Combat Meets Metroidvania Exploration
At its core, Possessor(s) is a fusion of platform fighter mechanics and Metroidvania structure. Combat emphasizes fluid aerial juggles, quick combos, and improvisation with makeshift weapons like guitars, knives, and even a computer mouse. These battles unfold alongside exploration of Sanzu’s sprawling districts, where every area, from collapsed skyscrapers to eerie aquariums, offers unique challenges, secrets, and enemies.
The game’s precision platforming ties directly into its combat, demanding tight movement and quick reflexes to overcome a variety of monsters and bosses. As Luca and Rhem adapt to their uneasy partnership, players will unlock new skills and upgrades, expanding both combat options and pathways through the city.
A Story of Codependency and Loss
While the action takes center stage, Possessor(s) also aims to tell a deeply personal story. Luca’s journey is not only about surviving Sanzu but also about searching for her mother and best friend amid the devastation. Along the way, players will encounter a cast of characters whose lives have been forever altered by the catastrophe, each bringing their own perspective and heartbreak to the story.
Heart Machine describes the narrative as an exploration of codependency, grief, and survival. The open-ended world structure allows players to choose their own path forward, uncovering truths about both the disaster and Luca’s growing bond with Rhem.
A Stunning Ruined World
Visually, Possessor(s) blends hauntingly detailed 3D environments with expressive hand-drawn characters and animations. The result is a distinctive sci-fi horror aesthetic that highlights the tension between beauty and decay in Sanzu’s fractured world.
Launch Details
Possessor(s) releases on November 11, 2025, for PC and PlayStation 5.
