Heart Machine has a proven track record of creating stylish games, and their latest project, Possessor(s), is no exception. The game’s sleek visuals are immediately striking, with characters like Rhem, a cosmic demon with a chiseled jawline, aquamarine horns, and a fine-cut suit, making a lasting impression. Rhem’s charming yet occasionally harsh demeanor adds to the game’s allure, making him a compelling and complex character.

During an interview at GDC 2025, Heart Machine founder Alx Preston discussed the game’s development, stating, “It’s just fun to have hot characters at the end of the day.” Preston was joined by other members of the development team, including producer Myriame Lachapelle, narrative director Tyler Hutchison, and writer Laura Michet, who all contributed to the game’s unique blend of style and substance.

Hutchison expanded on the idea of creating attractive characters, citing the influence of Heart Machine concept artist Sophie Medvedeva and his own experience working on Dream Daddy. He noted, “Since we were kind of building out this visual novel, I was trying to leverage the expertise I brought from Dream Daddy to be like, well, let’s make sure these characters are very hot.”

Sometimes, the simplest approach is the most effective, and Heart Machine’s focus on creating visually appealing characters has paid off in Possessor(s).

Possessor(s) is a sidescrolling sci-fi action game set in the ravaged city of Sanzu, a former corporate megalopolis torn apart by interdimensional horrors. The game’s world is a mix of desolate skyscrapers, abandoned aquariums, and a vibrant, neon-lit aesthetic reminiscent of 1990s anime. The story follows Luca, a 16-year-old girl who is possessed by a demon but still maintains her lucidity, as she searches for her missing mother and best friend in the ruins of Sanzu.

Luca is a stylish and relatable protagonist, with an iridescent coat, slender metal legs, and two horns of her own. Her uneasy relationship with Rhem, the demon who has invaded her consciousness, adds a layer of complexity to the story. Rhem’s presence is both a blessing and a curse, as he is the only thing keeping Luca alive, but also prevents her from taking time to find her loved ones.

According to Michet, “Luca is missing her mom and her best friend, who both got lost when the demons escaped to destroy the city. So she’s resentful that Rhem won’t let her take some time off to find all the people important to her.” This dynamic between Luca and Rhem drives the story forward, as they navigate the dangers of Sanzu and uncover the secrets behind the city’s downfall.

As Luca and Rhem explore Sanzu, they encounter a variety of challenges, from battling evil creatures to solving puzzles. The game’s combat system is smooth and satisfying, with Luca able to wield a range of improvised weapons, including kitchen knives, a guitar, and a corded computer mouse. Her whip, provided by Rhem, allows her to swing across gaps, rapidly reposition, and pull in heavy objects and enemies.

The demo showcased the game’s fluid combat and vibrant visuals, with only a few frames of placeholder art hinting that the game is still a work in progress. Possessor(s) is set to release on PC and PS5 later this year.

“The original premise was something more like Smash Bros., where you can do directional inputs and kind of build out your loadout to feel more like a different character,” Preston explained. “Where we’ve ended up is still a bit Smash Bros.-y, in that there’s juggling and bouncing enemies on surfaces and things like that. But we’ve found the spirit of Luca and her character, and what she wants to do.”

Possessor(s) is not only visually stunning, but it also boasts a narrative that is both timely and thought-provoking. At its core, the game is a critique of capitalist megacorporations and the dangers of unchecked power. The story follows Luca as she navigates the ruins of Sanzu, uncovering the dark secrets behind the city’s downfall and the true nature of the corporation that once controlled it.

“I mean, it sucks to live in a hierarchical corporate society where your value is determined by your value to the business,” Michet said. “And Luca will discover this from her teenager perspective.” The game’s narrative is branching, with multiple paths to follow and a range of characters to meet, making for a unique and engaging experience.

This is a new direction for Heart Machine, a studio known for its previous games, Hyper Light Drifter, Solar Ash, and Hyper Light Breaker. Possessor(s) marks a departure from the studio’s previous work, with its hand-drawn, 2D side-scrolling design and touches of horror and visual-novel mechanics.

This shift in direction is a result of the studio’s mentality of curiosity and experimentation. In 2021, Preston outlined the studio’s approach to game development, stating, “Hyper Light was a way for me to get started, it was a way for me to be more grounded and put together a crew and understand, can I do this? Can I actually make games? And so having answered that question, then the natural next step for me was something in 3D. Can I put something out there that really opens up the world and makes you feel like you can truly escape into something, a creation that is otherworldly, that you otherwise wouldn’t have the experience of?”

Since then, Heart Machine has undergone significant changes, including layoffs and the launch of a Patreon page. The studio now has 58 people on staff, with Preston remaining at the helm, driving the studio’s creative vision forward.

At GDC 2025, Preston discussed the studio’s approach to Possessor(s), stating, “We’ve done overhead stuff with Drifter back in the day, and then fully 3D was a big jump. I wanted to do something sidescrolling, because there’s a lot of different, unique challenges there that are fun to tackle. That perspective for how we do art, and mixing our 3D stuff with a 2D plane, there’s a lot of cool opportunities there. Something like Inside was a good point of inspiration, seeing what a smaller team can do with atmospheric chops. And we’re pretty good on those fronts.”

Possessor(s) is set to release on PC and PS5 later this year, published by Devolver Digital.