Experiencing the artistry of Nine Sols
By Paul Hunter
It's been an amazing year for indie titles, yet few have manage to capture attention quite like Nine Sols. Developed by the talented team at Red Candle Games, known for their previous works like Detention and Devotion, this game stands out as one of the best Metroidvanias of the last few years. Released in June 2024 for PC, Nine Sols has quickly gained recognition for its unique blend of storytelling, gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals. The game has finally arrived on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo consoles, and this review was done using the PS5 version.
Set in a vibrant world where ancient traditions clash with advanced technology, Nine Sols invites you to step into the shoes of Yi, an anthropomorphic feline character weilding tremendous power and great intellect. Your journey begins in a dire situation, as Yi awakens from a long slumber, only to find himself entangled in a web of betrayal and vengeance. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of a colony that sacrifices its inhabitants to a mysterious intergalactic council. This gripping storyline not only immerses you in Yi's quest for revenge but also explores deeper themes of faith and science.
What truly sets Nine Sols apart is its artistic style, described as "Taopunk," which beautifully marries elements of Taoism with futuristic aesthetics. The hand-drawn animations and meticulously crafted environments create a visually stunning experience that draws you in from the moment you start playing. The game's soundtrack further enhances this experience, blending traditional Eastern melodies with a modern twist that complements the action.
Nine Sols presents a captivating narrative that intertwines themes of vengeance, faith, and the struggle between tradition and technology. Years after a near-death experience, our hero Yi is awakened by a young Peach-Blossom villager named Shuanshuan, who sees Yi as a divine being. Two quickly establish a strong emotional bond as the two share a common desire to save the lives of folks in the colony that are threatened by the mysterious cat-like group known as the Solarians, which is governed by the Nine Sols of the Tiandao Council.
As the narrative unfolds, you learn that the peaceful village Yi now calls home is merely a façade. It serves as a breeding farm for an intergalactic council that periodically sacrifices its human inhabitants, which are referred to as "apemen". This shocking revelation propels Yi into a quest to stop the Nine Sols Council before more innocent lives are taken.
The storytelling in Nine Sols is enhanced by its comic book panel-style presentation, which adds a distinct visual flair. Each beautifully drawn panel reveals crucial plot points and character development, immersing you into the game's richly detailed narrative. There's also a lot of well-crafted dialogue, it's not uncommon to chat with characters and bosses for several minutes at a time, offering tremendous insights into character motivations and the complex lore surrounding the Solarians.
Moreover, the game’s pacing is expertly handled, with moments of intense boss-fight action balanced by quieter, introspective scenes that shed light into Yi's thinking and the boss's backstories. All told, Nine Sols offers a compelling narrative that stands out in the Metroidvania genre, offering an intricate plot, well-developed characters, and emotional depth that lingers long after the credits roll.
At the heart of Nine Sols is a combat system that's both challenging and immensely satisfying. Inspired by FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the game's parry mechanics demand precision and mastering the art of deflecting enemy attacks is crucial, as it allows you to build up a Qi energy meter and unleash devastating counterattacks.
The result is a combat system offering a delicate dance of offense and defense. You must carefully read your opponents' movements, anticipating their strikes and responding with perfectly timed blocks or dodges. This creates a thrilling sense of tension, as a single misstep can leave you vulnerable to devastating blows. However, when you successfully parry an attack, the game rewards you with a window to unleash a flurry of counterstrikes, often culminating in a powerful talismanic explosion that shreds enemy health.
Alongside the core parry system, the game offers a diverse array of offensive options. You can wield a sword for rapid, combo-based attacks, or utilize a bow, which you can embue with various properties, to engage enemies from a distance and break through their defences. This variety helps to keep combat encounters always feeling fresh, as you need to adapt your approach to suit the specific challenges each foe presents.
The exploration and progression in Nine Sols are equally engaging. As a metroidvania-style game, the world is interconnected, with new areas and abilities gradually unlocked as you venture deeper into the story. The level design is a standout, featuring a seamless blend of verticality, environmental puzzles, and hidden secrets. Navigating these intricate maps is a blast, as you uncover shortcuts, discover new paths, and unlock the tools necessary to access previously inaccessible areas.
The game's progression system deeper the gameplay experience as you acquire various upgrades and abilities that let you tailor Yi's playstyle to your liking. From passive buffs that increase your Qi charge accumulation to active skills that grant additional mobility or offensive options, the skill tree allows you to create a build that suits your individual playstyle.
The visual design of Nine Sols is a true standout, seamlessly blending elements of traditional Asian aesthetics with a striking cyberpunk flair. Environments and characters are hand drawn with a unique "Taopunk" style that fuses ancient Eastern motifs and futuristic, high-tech science fiction.
As you explore the richly detailed landscapes, I was struck by the meticulous attention to detail, from the imposing, ornate structures that reflect the game's spiritual underpinnings to the sleek, neon-infused technological marvels that add intrigue and mystique. The character animations are equally impressive, with fluid movements and expressive gestures that bring the cast to life. The anthropomorphic protagonist, Yi, moves with a graceful, feline-like agility, while the diverse array of enemies and NPCs each possess their own distinct personalities, reflected in their animations and designs.
Complementing the visual splendour is the game's exceptional audio design. The soundtrack seamlessly blends traditional East Asian musical elements with electronic and orchestral influences, creating a soundscape that is both hauntingly beautiful and intensely captivating. The melodies evoke a sense of mystery and wonder, perfectly matching the game's thematic exploration of spirituality and technology.
The sound effects further enhance the immersive experience, with each clash of swords, crackle of energy, and environmental ambience adding weight and impact to the on-screen action. The voice acting, while subtle at times, is well-performed and helps to bring the characters and their experiences to life. Overall, the presentation of Nine Sols is a triumph, showcasing the developers' commitment to crafting a truly immersive and memorable adventure.
Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Developer: Red Candle Games
Publisher: Red Candle Games
Genre: Action, Platformer, Metroidvania
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
It's been an amazing year for indie titles, yet few have manage to capture attention quite like Nine Sols. Developed by the talented team at Red Candle Games, known for their previous works like Detention and Devotion, this game stands out as one of the best Metroidvanias of the last few years. Released in June 2024 for PC, Nine Sols has quickly gained recognition for its unique blend of storytelling, gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals. The game has finally arrived on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo consoles, and this review was done using the PS5 version.
Set in a vibrant world where ancient traditions clash with advanced technology, Nine Sols invites you to step into the shoes of Yi, an anthropomorphic feline character weilding tremendous power and great intellect. Your journey begins in a dire situation, as Yi awakens from a long slumber, only to find himself entangled in a web of betrayal and vengeance. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of a colony that sacrifices its inhabitants to a mysterious intergalactic council. This gripping storyline not only immerses you in Yi's quest for revenge but also explores deeper themes of faith and science.
What truly sets Nine Sols apart is its artistic style, described as "Taopunk," which beautifully marries elements of Taoism with futuristic aesthetics. The hand-drawn animations and meticulously crafted environments create a visually stunning experience that draws you in from the moment you start playing. The game's soundtrack further enhances this experience, blending traditional Eastern melodies with a modern twist that complements the action.
Nine Sols presents a captivating narrative that intertwines themes of vengeance, faith, and the struggle between tradition and technology. Years after a near-death experience, our hero Yi is awakened by a young Peach-Blossom villager named Shuanshuan, who sees Yi as a divine being. Two quickly establish a strong emotional bond as the two share a common desire to save the lives of folks in the colony that are threatened by the mysterious cat-like group known as the Solarians, which is governed by the Nine Sols of the Tiandao Council.
As the narrative unfolds, you learn that the peaceful village Yi now calls home is merely a façade. It serves as a breeding farm for an intergalactic council that periodically sacrifices its human inhabitants, which are referred to as "apemen". This shocking revelation propels Yi into a quest to stop the Nine Sols Council before more innocent lives are taken.
The storytelling in Nine Sols is enhanced by its comic book panel-style presentation, which adds a distinct visual flair. Each beautifully drawn panel reveals crucial plot points and character development, immersing you into the game's richly detailed narrative. There's also a lot of well-crafted dialogue, it's not uncommon to chat with characters and bosses for several minutes at a time, offering tremendous insights into character motivations and the complex lore surrounding the Solarians.
Moreover, the game’s pacing is expertly handled, with moments of intense boss-fight action balanced by quieter, introspective scenes that shed light into Yi's thinking and the boss's backstories. All told, Nine Sols offers a compelling narrative that stands out in the Metroidvania genre, offering an intricate plot, well-developed characters, and emotional depth that lingers long after the credits roll.
At the heart of Nine Sols is a combat system that's both challenging and immensely satisfying. Inspired by FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the game's parry mechanics demand precision and mastering the art of deflecting enemy attacks is crucial, as it allows you to build up a Qi energy meter and unleash devastating counterattacks.
The result is a combat system offering a delicate dance of offense and defense. You must carefully read your opponents' movements, anticipating their strikes and responding with perfectly timed blocks or dodges. This creates a thrilling sense of tension, as a single misstep can leave you vulnerable to devastating blows. However, when you successfully parry an attack, the game rewards you with a window to unleash a flurry of counterstrikes, often culminating in a powerful talismanic explosion that shreds enemy health.
Alongside the core parry system, the game offers a diverse array of offensive options. You can wield a sword for rapid, combo-based attacks, or utilize a bow, which you can embue with various properties, to engage enemies from a distance and break through their defences. This variety helps to keep combat encounters always feeling fresh, as you need to adapt your approach to suit the specific challenges each foe presents.
The exploration and progression in Nine Sols are equally engaging. As a metroidvania-style game, the world is interconnected, with new areas and abilities gradually unlocked as you venture deeper into the story. The level design is a standout, featuring a seamless blend of verticality, environmental puzzles, and hidden secrets. Navigating these intricate maps is a blast, as you uncover shortcuts, discover new paths, and unlock the tools necessary to access previously inaccessible areas.
The game's progression system deeper the gameplay experience as you acquire various upgrades and abilities that let you tailor Yi's playstyle to your liking. From passive buffs that increase your Qi charge accumulation to active skills that grant additional mobility or offensive options, the skill tree allows you to create a build that suits your individual playstyle.
The visual design of Nine Sols is a true standout, seamlessly blending elements of traditional Asian aesthetics with a striking cyberpunk flair. Environments and characters are hand drawn with a unique "Taopunk" style that fuses ancient Eastern motifs and futuristic, high-tech science fiction.
As you explore the richly detailed landscapes, I was struck by the meticulous attention to detail, from the imposing, ornate structures that reflect the game's spiritual underpinnings to the sleek, neon-infused technological marvels that add intrigue and mystique. The character animations are equally impressive, with fluid movements and expressive gestures that bring the cast to life. The anthropomorphic protagonist, Yi, moves with a graceful, feline-like agility, while the diverse array of enemies and NPCs each possess their own distinct personalities, reflected in their animations and designs.
Complementing the visual splendour is the game's exceptional audio design. The soundtrack seamlessly blends traditional East Asian musical elements with electronic and orchestral influences, creating a soundscape that is both hauntingly beautiful and intensely captivating. The melodies evoke a sense of mystery and wonder, perfectly matching the game's thematic exploration of spirituality and technology.
The sound effects further enhance the immersive experience, with each clash of swords, crackle of energy, and environmental ambience adding weight and impact to the on-screen action. The voice acting, while subtle at times, is well-performed and helps to bring the characters and their experiences to life. Overall, the presentation of Nine Sols is a triumph, showcasing the developers' commitment to crafting a truly immersive and memorable adventure.
The Verdict
Nine Sols stands as a remarkable achievement in the metroidvania genre, blending its core gameplay mechanics with a captivating narrative and stunning visual design. From the moment you take control of the feline protagonist Yi, you can feel the polish in its deep combat system, beautifully designed environments and expertly crafted storytelling. Nine Sols is a shining example of how to elevate the metroidvania formula, and is easily in contention for indie game of the year.Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Nine Sols details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Red Candle Games
Publisher: Red Candle Games
Genre: Action, Platformer, Metroidvania
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.