Whenever Heart Machine announces something new, you know it’s going to look and feel different from the usual indie crowd. Hyper Light Drifter remains a masterclass in haunting pixel art and minimal storytelling-one of those rare games where atmosphere says more than dialogue ever could. Solar Ash, their follow-up, nailed fluid movement and surreal scale. So when I saw that Heart Machine is releasing a playable demo for their next game, Possessors, today on Steam, I immediately perked up. This isn’t just another indie launching a demo; it’s one of the most style-forward studios in the business taking another swing, this time with a sci-fi horror angle that’s hard to ignore.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Heart Machine |
| Release Date | 2025 (Demo out now) |
| Genres | Action-Adventure, Metroidvania, Sci-Fi Horror |
| Platforms | PC (Steam), TBA for others |
Let’s get into what actually sets Possessors apart beyond its striking aesthetic. The premise is classic Heart Machine—evocative, mysterious, and a little weird. You’re stuck in Sanzu, a corporate-run mega-city now crawling with demons after some apocalyptic event. Luca, an ordinary citizen, survives by making a pact with Rhem, a demon with their own agenda. They’re bound together in a literal and narrative sense, forced to cooperate if they want any chance of escape.
It’s the kind of setup that could easily collapse under its own ambition, but if anyone can pull off this “buddy-cop possessed by a demon” routine, it’s Heart Machine. Their games have always left most of the story between the lines, letting players fill in blanks with environmental storytelling and mood. But here, that dynamic relationship isn’t just background flavor—it’s core to the gameplay loop, and I’m curious to see how that translates to both moment-to-moment action and larger narrative choices. Will you swap between powers? Argue with your demonic counterpart? Or is this just flavor text pasted over another Metroidvania?
What really catches my attention is the movement. Heart Machine says Sanzu is “open-ended,” with traversal and platforming as a big focus. Judging by the trailer, you’re not just running and jumping—there’s wall-running, air-dashing, and the kind of fluidity that made Solar Ash snappy (even if its world sometimes felt empty). If Possessors can pair that kinetic movement with dense exploration and meaningful discoveries—think Hollow Knight’s interconnected secrets rather than just ticking off objectives—this could be a major evolution for the studio.
Of course, we’ve seen indie games overpromise on “Metroidvania” movement and sprawling worlds before, only to deliver mostly empty space and recycled combat. Solar Ash, for all its wild traversal, left some players (myself included) wanting more substance—so I’m approaching this with cautious optimism. The sci-fi horror angle is intriguing, but it’ll take more than just moody backdrops and cryptic lore to stand out in a post-Blasphemous, post-Dead Cells world. Possessors needs real danger, memorable enemies, and that crucial sense of discovery that separates great Metroidvanias from the crowd.
Heart Machine’s track record makes Possessors impossible to ignore if you’re into action-adventures or atmospheric indies. The demo dropping today is the best kind of move: let the game’s feel and movement speak for itself—no amount of slick trailers can sell that tactile sensation. If the demo delivers on its promise, Possessors could be the studio’s best yet. But if it misses the mark, it’ll be another lesson in why style can’t cover gameplay gaps, no matter how good the art direction is.
For anyone who grew up loving Metroidvanias, the explosion of indie takes on the genre has been both a blessing and a curse. Every month brings another neon-lit labyrinth, but most lack the spark of true exploration. If Possessors nails that magic—combining kinetic movement, atmospheric dread, and meaningful discovery—it’ll be a must-play for fans of the genre. For now, the demo will be our first real test. I’ll be digging in, hopeful but with my hype in check.
Possessors has all the right ingredients: a slick art style, intriguing dual-character setup, and the pedigree of Heart Machine behind it. The demo out today gives us a taste of what’s to come. If it can back up its visuals with genuinely satisfying exploration and narrative beats, this could be 2025’s indie darling. But if it’s all vibes and no substance, even the best pixel art won’t save it. My advice? Try the demo, pay attention to how it feels, and keep your expectations balanced—Heart Machine’s track record is exciting, but the Metroidvania space is more competitive than ever.