[PlayStation 5] Review of Nine Sols

Nine Sols, a game from Red Candle Games, perfectly blends intricate hand-drawn graphics and challenging gameplay inspired by Sekiro. Exclusively released for PlayStation 5, this 2D Metroidvania invites players into its richly developed world. Here’s a closer look at what Nine Sols has to offer!

Set in the intriguing Taopunk world of New Kunlun, Nine Sols draws from Eastern mythology, mixing it seamlessly with cyberpunk aesthetics. You step into the shoes of Yi, a mysterious Fangshi, and embark on an enthralling adventure that begins in a cave alongside Shuanshuan, who’s on a quest for a special flower crucial for a ritual. While at first glance the surroundings seem like a typical, somewhat primitive setting, the deeper layers of its world soon reveal themselves. Your mission is clear: defeat the 9 Sols that dominate the realm.

Back in 2022, the developers turned to crowdfunding, aiming for NT$3,000,000 to bring this ambitious project to life. Thanks to the overwhelming support of 8,900 backers, they accumulated more than NT$13,000,000 in funding. Initially launched on Steam in May, the game now makes its grand entrance on PlayStation 5. This success allowed Red Candle Games to expand the game, adding features like an easier difficulty setting, a new in-game cutscene, and even an alternative ending.

Players can choose between two difficulty settings: Standard Mode, which gives you the authentic and challenging Nine Sols experience, or Story Mode, introduced via crowdfunding goals, allowing players to soak in the storyline without stress about combat difficulty. In Story Mode, you can adjust damage multipliers dynamically to tailor the challenge to your preference.

The plot thickens with the ominous ceremony where the chosen ones are sent to reside with the gods, the Sols. Chaos unfolds as an evil machine grabs the chosen ones, brutally decapitating them before discarding their bodies into a concealed facility. Shuanshuan, your longtime companion, is among those selected. Seeing the peril, you hastily react, using your talisman to save him, thwarting the machine just in time.

Using your Qi explosion, you destroy the headgear controlling the machine, causing panic among the villagers fearing divine retribution. After saying a heartfelt goodbye to Shuanshuan, you harness your abilities to hijack the lift used to transport bodies underground, confronting the malevolent forces within.

Once action starts, you’ll guide Yi using the left analog stick. Jump around with the X button, dash with R2, attack with the Square button, and in time, use your bow with Triangle. Circle allows interactions and activating contraptions, plus deploying your hook mid-air to reach certain points. Remember, walls with tentacle-like textures can be scaled—so be vigilant!

Due to its reliance on deflection-based combat, survival hinges on timely parries using the L1 button. Mistiming results in blocking, which still causes damage, though it builds Qi, used against enemies with the R1 dash attack—crucial in boss battles. Healing can be accessed by pressing up on the D-Pad, and soon you’ll gain the Mystic Nymph ability, navigated with L2 to access hidden pathways and hack contraptions.

Be wary, for death means losing all experience and money. To reclaim your money, best the enemy who vanquished you, or say goodbye to those resources! Following its Soulslike inspiration, saving and resting respawns all adversaries. However, it provides a chance to strategize over your Skill Tree enhancements, keeping you a step ahead.

Progressing through the game, defeating foes and bosses earns you experience points, leading to valuable Skill Points. Use these wisely in the Skill Tree to unlock capabilities like Swift Runner for increased speed, Qi Boost for greater Qi capacity, or Bullet Deflect to counter projectiles strategically.

Collected money is spent at the 3D printer to generate useful items. Obtaining Jade offers skill upgrades, such as Ricochet Jade, working with Bullet Deflect to reflect projectiles even with imperfect parries. However, prioritizing the Pipe Vial purchase could benefit you the most, lengthening your healing opportunities significantly.

Trophy hunters will find a full roster of accolades, including a coveted Platinum trophy. The list breaks down into 15 Bronze, 17 Silver, and 3 Gold trophies. Acquiring these requires mastering all skill tree attributes, gathering all jades, defeating every boss (hidden ones included), and completing the game on the Standard difficulty. There are plenty of secret trophies to uncover as well, solidifying the game’s replay value. Check out available guides if you seek additional trophy hunting tips.

Nine Sols demands attention with its gripping hand-drawn art, and challenging combat depth, all available for $29.99 on PlayStation 5. Dive headfirst into the beautiful yet dangerous realm of New Kunlun and see if you have what it takes to conquer the 9 Sols.

This review was made possible by a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Red Candle Games.