In the vast landscape of indie games, Red Candle Games brings us Nine Sols, a beautifully crafted hand-drawn 2D Metroidvania that draws inspiration from Sekiro. Get ready to dive into its intricate world on the PlayStation 5 as I walk you through what makes this game uniquely enchanting in my review.
Nestled in the Taopunk universe of New Kunlun, Nine Sols marries Eastern mythology with edgy cyberpunk vibes. Here, you step into the shoes of Yi, an enigmatic Fangshi, on a mission that begins humbly in a cave with your companion, Shuanshuan. Together, you’re in search of a rare flower essential for a ritual — but beneath this seemingly primitive facade lies a complex world. Tasked with overthrowing the 9 Sols who govern this realm, your adventure is anything but predictable.
Kicking off with a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2022, which soared far beyond its initial goal, Nine Sols debuted on Steam before making its anticipated appearance on the PlayStation 5. Thanks to this generous financial backing from over 8,900 supporters, the game was able to expand, incorporating features like an easier difficulty setting, new in-game cutscenes, and an alternative ending.
Players can choose between two difficulty modes: the original Standard Mode and a more narrative-focused Story Mode. While Standard Mode promises a rigorous challenge packed with engaging combat and expansive exploration, Story Mode offers a more relaxed experience. Here, the difficulty scales according to your preference, letting you immerse yourself in the plot without excessive combat stress.
This journey through New Kunlun involves ceremonial rituals where the chosen ones are whisked away to live among the divine Sols. However, when a sinister device begins to decapitate those selected, dropping their bodies into a hidden facility, things take a dark turn. Your friend Shuanshuan is among those chosen, prompting you to save him by utilizing your talisman to thwart the deadly machine.
In the ensuing chaos, you unleash a Qi explosion that downs the machine and sends villagers fleeing in fear, believing they’ve provoked the wrath of the gods. The disruption allows you to bid farewell to Shuanshuan before plunging underground to face the nefarious entities preying on humanity.
Gameplay mechanics are intuitive but demand skill. Navigating Yi involves using the left analog stick, leveraging the X button for jumps, and the R2 button for dashes. Combat is primarily driven by the Square button for attacks and the Triangle for shooting arrows. Interactions are seamless with the Circle button, also doubling as a hook launch mechanism for climbing special areas. Yi’s ability to scale certain walls further enriches the exploration.
Mastery of combat hinges on the deflection system. Parrying with the L1 button, when perfectly timed, neutralizes enemy threats, converting blocked attempts into Qi collection opportunities. This Qi is crucial as it allows for powerful dash attacks through enemies, accessible via the R1 button—a vital strategy, especially against formidable bosses.
Upon death, Nine Sols presents a familiar soulslike mechanic: losing all accrued experience and currency. To recover these, you must confront and defeat the enemy responsible for your demise, adding a high-stakes layer to each encounter. Resting at save points revives all foes but provides access to the Skill Tree for progression and strategy refinement.
Defeating adversaries yields experience points, and collecting enough grants Skill Points. These points open up enhancements in the Skill Tree, boosting Yi’s resilience and combat capabilities. Whether it’s increasing movement speed with Swift Runner or enhancing Qi with Qi Boost, strategic skill improvement can significantly impact your survival chances.
Currency in Nine Sols finds its use in crafting, particularly via a 3D printer that allows you to produce essential items. Gathering Jade for upgrading skills or acquiring a Pipe Vial to expand healing capabilities can often spell the difference between success and peril.
For trophy hunters, Nine Sols offers a comprehensive set, including a coveted Platinum trophy. Achievements range from mastering the entire skill tree, amassing every jade, to conquering each boss, secret or not, often requiring completion in Standard Mode for full bragging rights.
Overall, Nine Sols stands out as an entrancingly challenging 2D Metroidvania on the PlayStation 5, artfully blending Eastern mythos with cyberpunk flair. Priced at $29.99, it’s a compelling addition to any gamer’s library, offering a refreshing fusion of narrative depth and skillful gameplay.
This review of Nine Sols for PlayStation 5 is courtesy of a review copy provided by Red Candle Games.
