Summary

  • Heart Machine's new game Possessors will offer a grittier, horror-influenced experience compared to its previous releases.
  • Fans eagerly await the 2025 release of Possessors, a side-scrolling action-adventure with upgraded combat and story focus.
  • A cryptic partnership between Devolver Digital and Heart Machine teases a promising future for Possessors' interdimensional story.

Hyper Light Drifter developer Heart Machine revealed Possessors, a new game slated for 2025. In addition to the recent rebranding by the upcoming Hyper Light Breaker's publisher Arc Games, formerly known as Gearbox, Heart Machine has been busy ensuring that the sequel to Hyper Light Drifter, Hyper Light Breaker, arrives in its best state as soon as possible. There have been clues to other things, though.

Many fans have directed their attention towards Heart Machine's upcoming project Hyper Light Breaker, but on May 16, Heart Machine responded to a Devolver Digital Post referencing a character that gamers were unfamiliar with. On June 4, days ahead of Summer Game Fest, Devolver Digital left another cryptic social media post indicating its involvement in an upcoming project with Heart Machine. Now, that character has a name and the game she leads has been shown off by Heart Machine and their new publisher.

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Possessors has been revealed by Hyper Light Drifter Developer Heart Machine, with a 2025 release window. The game will be a side-scrolling action-adventure platformer with horror influences. Possessors appears to be a shift in theme from Heart Machine's previous releases, as well as its other upcoming game, Hyper Light Breaker, which shows off vibrant colors and pastel tones with a multiplayer emphasis. Possessors looks to be a more confined experience with a grittier atmosphere and a focus on story.

Possessors Indicates a Bold New Direction from Heart Machine

The premise of Possessors is that an interdimensional catastrophe has taken place, and that Luca is on a mission for survival alongside Rehm, a "counterpart" of sorts that appears to have been forced upon her in some way. It is hinted that their bond may grow, and the two will become stronger allies as the game continues. The combat of Possessors is inspired by platform fighters and will feature a variety of weapons along with an upgrade system.

Possessors appears to be taking off in an ambitious new direction for Heart Machine. Previous releases offered somewhat more focused experiences. Hyper Light Drifter appealed to gamers who were fans of Zelda-like exploration with an emphasis on combat, and although Solar Ash did feature combat and movement mechanics that players found interesting, much of the reception towards the game noticed its contrast to the prior release for its more straightforward story focus. The available information for Possessors indicates a balance between a combat system with depth and a story that offers plenty for its gamers interested in unraveling a mystery.

Hyper Light Drifter Tag Page Cover Art

Action RPG
Platform(s)
PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Released
March 31, 2016
Developer(s)
Heart Machine