Possessor(s)

I did want to like this game, but I simply cannot, nor can I recommend it after what just happened. I already dropped the game for several factors (questionable level design + item placement, a under-baked combat (imo), and other nitpicks like the stun being too long) but I came back after several months for the 100% and bc I wanted to see the story end. But then, this game kicks me in the balls with the stupidest and most avoidable soft-lock of all time. 12 hrs of my life gone, and by the looks of it, there are other soft-locks in the game that haven't been fixed even with player feedback. My fault ig for exploring in a metroidvainia. The likelyhood of this happening to you is slim, but I'd still be careful because it's astonishing how bad the level design can be at times. Be careful with your money (buy it on sale). Rant over.

I'd recommend it if you're looking for a metroidvania fix. However compared to titles close to it's release date Possessor(s) really doesn't stand out all that much. I like: - Artstyle - It's simple, vibrant characters, and fun to look at - Combat - Reliable but simple, boss fights are fun I don't like: - Story - The main characters have HARD heads, like I know that's the point to show their Stockholm syndrome but holy shi ur getting mad at the wrong people bro T-T - Exploration and Upgrades - Upgrades don't feel all too fun to get, the "build your own moveset" system is fun at a glance until you realize most of it does the same thing. Exploring doesn't feel rewarding when every time you think you found something it's just a PIECE of a numbers upgrade on your base stats that you still need to spend money AND find a shop to upgrade which at that point I felt I just had more fun blasting without upgrading any of my stats (which I did, most of the hard combat can be bruteforced pretty fast) TL:DR it's fun, but I had a feeling of "thank god it's over" after finishing it and I don't think I'll touch it again.

This is a great game, but a mediocre metroidvania. If you're open to a more linear experience with some ability gating, I'd consider this very worthwhile. Movement feels swift and tight, the mechanics that get introduced later on are fun to use and contribute to the aggressive juggle-focused combat (if you bother incorporating them), and the animation and sound design do a wonderful job of selling the power behind every blow. The story was competently written - it's difficult to write angsty teens who are actually relatable, let alone likable, but Heart Machine pulled it off. People's problems and internal conflicts feel real; there's clear insight into how people allow themselves to be taken advantage of and what it does to their ability to connect with others moving forward.

Possessor(s) is an overall very good game with a few rough edges that prevent it from being truly excellent. It has a unique rhythm and pacing, doesn't overstay its welcome, and once you get the hang of enemy timing, combat feels meaty and satisfying. Some of the writing is a bit awkward at times, but overall the characters and their dynamics are compelling (and often pretty funny) - the worldbuilding and story is solid and succinct. However, there are some places in the game that feel a little bit half-baked; hidden rooms with nothing in them, detours with platform challenges that lead to the same place as faster/easier routes, and in some cases, redundant ladders. The whip's target selection behavior is a little less consistent than I'd like, particularly with some of the rope-swinging challenges where the timing and directionality feel very inconsistent. There is also a quest will reward you with an affix you very likely already have. Also - Game is very poorly optimized. I posted my specs to illustrate that my PC is not a weakly built thing, and would have been close to top of the line just a few years ago - and this machine struggles to keep the FPS over 60, sometimes d…

The 1 millionth soulslike metroidvania in the 1 millionth post apocalypic city with absolutely nothing that hasn't already been done by hollow knight. My wife hates this as it is extremely unoriginal and I can no longer motivate myself to continue after a particularly punishing death so I am not going to play this anymore. Fighting with aerial enemies can be extremely frustrating. Stop making hollow Knight clones, no one outside of a small vocal minority wants to see more.

I got this game on a whim, not knowing anything about it or haing heard of it before. It seemed great for Steam Deck (it is!) and I was hooked almost immediately. The combat is not advanced, but it is fun, the stages are interesting and there is a lot of ways to explore. The art is stunning, the characters have a real personality and make you interested in their lives, and the setting / story is just great. The only negative thing I have to say is that i did get softlocked in an area which caused me to have to replay 14 hours of gameplay (ouchie, but I like the game enough to have gotten back to that point easily without being too mad I had to replay), and I later got softlocked AGAIN in another area, so I at that point I modded to get low gravity to get out (do not go to Rusted Dockyard without the wall run ability <3). I truly recommend this game, but I hope they think about blocking off areas that you will not be able to get out of without certain abilities if you don't have them yet.