Possessor(s)

Possessor(s) is one of the most unconventional Metroidvanias that I've played thanks to its visceral dystopian world and focus on equipment-based combat that rewards experimentation, practice, and patience much more than brute force. Now, that's clever and quite cool indeed.

Possessor(s) brings a lot of success to the table: lots of boss fights, chunky and engaging combat, and a robust world to explore. Combine that with a strong narrative, and you have a recipe for success. The whip needs some optimization, and progressing the story can easily stagnate once the map opens up. Possessor(s) may not be able to contend with the titans of the genre, but it doesn't need to. It still provides a good experience for anyone interested in Metroidvanias.

Possessor(s) is a bold, distinctive Metroidvania with a very strong identity. It features a mature storyline, endearing characters, and a memorable world. Its atmosphere, visual style, and plot are all very well crafted. However, it stumbles in key areas such as combat fluidity, exploration clarity, and some technical issues. Furthermore, it doesn't stand out in almost any way, which is not good in a genre saturated with so much competition.

Possessor(s) has attractive visuals and a well-presented story, but is hampered by its Metroidvania structure, which doesn't offer enough rewarding exploration to justify itself. The uninteresting exploration and the fast-paced but unvaried combat prevent the game from standing out in the crowded action-platformer genre, making it recommendable only to those who appreciate the aesthetics and theme of a race of demons.

Possessor(s) offers an interesting touch on an established Metroidvania formula, but in my opinion it's best played in shorter sessions. In addition to a story that is slowly unravelled through memories and flashbacks in the main characters' shared inner lives where it's anything but black and white, a message is also conveyed about commerce and obsession where even demons are not allowed to be left alone as raw materials without being exploited and extracted. It's a bit tragic to see the developer hit with layoffs just before launch after three years of development, something that hopefully does not affect the planned improvements that have been promised. It deserves to be played by those who have no problems with a little challenge within the layout where the controls could also have been a little tighter, but where it ultimately demonstrates in a creative way that pride comes before a fall.

Possessor(s) boasts a compelling art style and an engaging story that surpasses genre averages. However, its potential is severely hampered by frustrating design flaws, including unclear navigation and excessive backtracking. Combat often lacks finesse and variety, compounded by numerous programming errors and a questionable difficulty curve, preventing it from truly standing out.

A Metroidvania set in a mega-city ruined by demons, Possessor(s) unfortunately fails to fulfil its potential due to clunky combat and general lack of polish.