Red Candle Games’ latest release, Nine Sols, is a captivating 2D hand-drawn Metroidvania, drawing inspiration from Sekiro and offering challenging deflection-based combat on the PlayStation 5. Let’s dive into the details of this game in our Nine Sols review!
Set in the unique Taopunk world of New Kunlun, the game merges Eastern mythology with a cyberpunk flair. As players, you’ll step into the shoes of Yi, a mysterious Fangshi, navigating an intriguing new world. Your adventure kicks off in a seemingly primitive cave, with your companion Shuanshuan, who’s on a quest to find a rare flower for an important ritual. But don’t be fooled by appearances; this world holds secrets deeper than it first suggests. The core of your mission? To take down the 9 Sols who govern the realm.
Back in 2022, Red Candle Games initiated a fundraising campaign with a target of NT$3,000,000 to advance development. The campaign ended on a high note, thanks to the support of 8,900 backers who raised over NT$13,000,000. Nine Sols debuted on Steam in May and has now made its way to the PlayStation 5. This influx of support allowed the developers to meet several stretch goals, bringing additional features like a new easier difficulty setting, an extra in-game cutscene, and an alternate ending to life.
In this game, you’ll find two difficulty modes. There’s the original Standard Mode, which provides a well-balanced challenge for those who love intricate combat and exploration. Then there’s Story Mode, a stretch goal from the crowdfunding campaign, which lets players immerse themselves in the narrative without worrying too much about combat. You can dynamically tweak damage multipliers to your liking in this mode.
As the tale unfolds, you’ll witness a chilling ceremony where the chosen are taken to another world to dwell with the Gods, or Sols. An ominous machine, however, snatches them, severing their heads and casting their bodies into a concealed facility. Shuanshuan, your friend for the past few years, is among the chosen. In an urgent bid to save him, you spring into action, using your talisman to thwart the machine’s deadly intent.
Your Qi explosion obliterates the helmet, throwing the village into panic as they fear divine retribution. As their beliefs come crashing down, you must part ways with Shuanshuan and ready yourself to face the sinister beings harvesting humans within the facility.
In terms of gameplay, you’ll control Yi using the left analog stick to traverse through various areas, jump with the X button, dash with R2, attack with Square, and eventually shoot arrows from your bow with Triangle. Interaction with characters or contraptions is with the Circle button, which also lets you launch a hook when jumping to reach specific points. Stay alert for special surfaces that Yi can scale, especially walls adorned with oozy, waving tentacles.
Combat in Nine Sols is all about timing, demanding you to perfectly parry attacks with the L1 button. Miss the timing, and Yi will still take damage, though you’ll gain Qi, which can be strategically used on foes by pressing R1, delivering significant damage. This is especially crucial in boss encounters. Recover some health with the Pipe by pressing up on the D-Pad, and soon enough, you’ll discover the Mystic Nymph ability, used with L2, to navigate tiny passages and hack hidden mechanisms.
Keep an eye on your experience and money – they vanish upon death unless you defeat the enemy that bested you, unlike typical Soulslike games where you can usually retrieve them. Enemies respawn once you save and rest, but this also allows you to plan your next moves wisely using the Skill Tree at save points.
Victory over adversaries grants experience points, earning you Skill Points to enhance Yi’s abilities through the Skill Tree. Customize your playstyle with skills like Swift Runner, Qi Boost, or even Bullet Deflect, which allows well-timed parries to return projectiles to the sender.
In-game currency is useful, enabling purchases via a 3D printer. Invest in Jade to augment Skills, or acquire practical upgrades like the Ricochet Jade to enhance Bullet Deflect even further. Prioritize grabbing the Pipe Vial, which boosts your healing capacity and pays off in the long haul.
For trophy hunters, Nine Sols offers a robust collection, including a Platinum Trophy. Achievements encompass mastering the Skill Tree, collecting all the jade, dispatching a host of bosses (hidden ones included!), and conquering Standard Mode. Secret trophies add an element of mystery to your trophy hunt, and for guidance, a Nine Sols Trophy Guide is available.
Nine Sols introduces players to a visually splendid 2D Metroidvania, blending Eastern myths with cyberpunk vibes, and features combat inspired by Sekiro. Taking on the mantle of Yi, you’ll embark on a mission that transcends appearances in a deceptively simple world. Feeling up for the task? Nine Sols is available now on PlayStation 5 for $29.99.
This review was brought to you with a PlayStation 5 copy of Nine Sols from Red Candle Games.
