Side-scrolling action titles frequently evoke an atmosphere of solitude. While players might revisit safe zones between missions, actual exploration typically occurs in isolation. No NPCs engage in conversation, with storytelling relying on environmental details or internal monologues.

Possessor(s) introduces companionship through forced demonic symbiosis

At Summer Game Fest’s Play Days, Heart Machine’s Myriame Lachapelle and Tyler Hutchison discussed their approach to subverting genre tropes. This dialogue-heavy dynamic emerged from collaborative brainstorming sessions during development.

The protagonist Luca negotiates survival in a hellish reality through an uneasy pact with Rehm – a weakening demonic entity. Their contentious partnership provides narrative thrust, with both characters frequently clashing despite mutual dependency. Combat interactions include Rehm dismissing Luca’s attempts at conversation, establishing boundaries for their forced alliance.

Hutchison explained how real-life creative debates influenced character dynamics, noting writers often mirrored Luca and Rehm’s exchanges. These interactions offset the game’s visceral brutality, particularly effective after harrowing sequences like Luca’s opening crawl scene. Strategic humor prevents emotional fatigue in the face of apocalyptic horrors.

The combat system innovates through demonic augmentation of mundane objects. Ordinary items become devastating tools, enabling aerial juggling combos reminiscent of platform fighters. Souls-like mechanics punish failure, requiring corpse runs to recover lost resources – a challenging system showcased in the Steam Next Fest demo.

Lachapelle revealed a hidden linguistic layer within the fictional Sanzu City. Heart Machine developed a functional cipher system for environmental text, continuing their tradition of obscure worldbuilding from Hyper Light Drifter. Dedicated fans began deciphering this language months before the demo’s release.

With its striking visual contrast between drab environments and Luca’s neon-accented design, Possessor(s) delivers both narrative depth and technical polish. While awaiting final release details, curious players can experience the fusion of verbal sparring and combo-driven combat through the currently available demo.