RedCandleGames is back again with another intriguing and exciting title called Nine Sols. It is a lore rich 2D hand-drawn action platformer game. The game is heavily inspired from Sekiro and it implemented the deflection mechanics in the game. The developers promise a captivating world that blends with Asian mythology with cyberpunk aesthetics.
“Embark on a journey of Asian fantasy, explore the land once home to an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero’s quest to slay the 9 Sols, formidable rulers of this forsaken realm.”
A World in Shadow
The world is based in a dystopian era that heavily reflects cyberpunk infused world. Imagine ancient Asian civilization combined with cyberpunk vibrancy. You will see the world building is heavily detailed. The story revolves around a nameless character who is a vengeful warrior. They warrior embarked on a journey to defeat the Nine Sols.
“In New Kunlun, hero Yi has awakened the 9 rulers of this forsaken realm. To defeat the 9 Sols in the deserted city.”
The New Kunlun is the Solarian’s last sanctuary which has remained quiet for centuries. In the vastness of the realm there are ancient gods left the mortals with promised land that is forever protected by sacred rituals. However, something still lurks in the shadows. Everything changes when Yi, a long-forgotten hero from the past, is awoken by a human child. You will follow Yi on a vengeful quest against the 9 formidable rulers of the forsaken realm.
The genre of the game is labeled as “Taopunk” which means it is a combination of Taoism and far eastern mythology. You will see ancient temples towering the skyline of the realm. The neon lights illuminate the ruins of the kingdom.
The Mysterious Nine Sols
The Nine Sols are the antagonists of the games. These powerful leaders seized the control of the world but they are pushing it towards the darkness. Their motive towards this destruction is still unknown and Yi is given the responsibility to make it stop. As the game progresses you will gradually uncover the truth and the tragic history behind the chaos.
Each Nine Sols has different attack style and abilities. Defeating them will require you to learn their moves fully and come up with a strategic plan. Be patient and utilize every move in your arsenal, mix up with Yi’s godly bow to defeat these larger-than-life figures.
A Dance of Deflection
As mentioned before the game is heavily inspired by Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Remember how deflection was the main challenge in Sekiro? Similarly, in Nine Sols you need to be a master of deflection.
“2D Sekiro-lite Combat: Slash, deflect, charge into enemies and blow them up with the Taoist talisman! Each fight combines fast, brutal action sequences with classic platforming mechanics.”
You need to successfully parry all the attacks to build up your energy so you can counterstrike with full energy. Moreover, the game mechanics also forces you to be more precise and time your attacks.
The Nine Sols also incorporate platforming elements. The worlds are interconnected with hidden paths and shortcuts. Utilize Yi’s character abilities to navigate through the kingdom of Nine Sols.
A Metroidvania Heart
Nine Sols has also the element of your typical Metroidvania game. As you progress through the game you will unlock new abilities and equipment. Moreover, previously inaccessible areas will be accessible. This encourages players to visit older areas to complete exploration to retrieve hidden secrets and equipment. You can also replay the level as many times as you want.
“Traverse in the interconnected regions of New Kunlun. Discover secrets, piece together the story behind Yi’s revenge.”
The level design is a chef kiss as it is crafted meticulously. Each area offers a unique visual with thematic elements. The world design is diverse and you will not feel any vibes of monotone.
“Nine Sols is filled with meticulous hand-crafted, anime style landscapes, sprite-based hand-drawn animations, blending with Japanese manga inspired cutscenes.”
Conclusion
The Nine Sols is a remarkable indie game. It meticulously blends action-platforming with exploration. Moreover, the visuals are stunning and it also gives a depth in the narrative. If you are into games like Sekiro or Hollow Knight you will definitely love Nine Sols. Also, to make things more amazing Yi resembles a cat so that is one of the big selling points.
