Fans of the Metroidvania genre have a lot to look forward to in 2025. After much anticipation, Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally hitting the shelves. Meanwhile, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to make its debut on the Nintendo Switch 2, and the Pac-Man spin-off, Shadow Labyrinth, is also slated for release in the coming months. On the indie scene, there’s an impressive lineup as well. Gamers can expect Crowsworn, a crowdfunded gothic action game, The Eternal Life of Goldman, with its unique hand-drawn adventure style, and MIO: Memories in Orbit, a sci-fi platformer—all targeting a 2025 launch.
Adding intrigue to the mix, an unexpected developer is venturing into Metroidvania territory. Heart Machine, known for their hit action RPG Hyper Light Drifter, recently announced a new game in collaboration with Devolver Digital. Titled Possessor(s), this upcoming project promises an experience quite distinct from Heart Machine’s previous creations. Despite drawing some comparisons to popular Metroidvanias, Heart Machine insists that Possessor(s) diverges from the traditional mold, offering an action side-scroller with combat akin to Super Smash Bros.
In an interview with Gamesradar during GDC 2025, Alx Preston from Heart Machine shared his thoughts on the term Metroidvania. He noted that it often fails to capture the essence of games like Possessor(s). Originally derived from the classic games Metroid and Castlevania, the label has become a bit of a catch-all, sometimes applied too broadly. Preston remarked, “Many so-called Metroidvanias are essentially just Metroid games, lacking the Vania element.” As such, he prefers to use the term “search action game,” a description more common in Japan.
Possessor(s) certainly embraces many aspects of the Metroidvania genre, including a non-linear level design and an interconnected world that encourages exploration and backtracking. Its visual style draws from anime, and the gameplay is characterized by fast-paced 2D platforming. However, it sets itself apart by placing a significant emphasis on narrative. The story unfolds through segments resembling visual novels, rich with sci-fi and horror themes. Depending on the paths players choose, the game’s outcome will vary.
Heart Machine’s former titles like Solar Ash and Hyper Light Drifter have typically relied on visuals rather than dialogue to tell their stories, but Possessor(s) marks a departure from this approach. This game blends diverse genres, combining Metroid-like environments with platform fighter combat and an RPG-style branching narrative. With such a fusion of elements, describing Possessor(s) as merely a Metroidvania seems inadequate. Alx Preston sums it up well, suggesting that while the game has a lot of Metroid influence, it doesn’t quite fit the Vania mold.
