Your Sol is mine !
Metroidvanias have seen a number of a renaissance in the past decade , thanks to the pursuit in the writing style by smaller teams and indie developer . It ’s become a bit saturated if you call for me , and it ’s tough to get excited anymore when there is n’t much innovation . Thankfully that is n’t the case withNine Solswhich marks the comeback of Red Candle Games , the studio apartment behind the incredible modern horror classic , idolatry .
Nine Sols is inspired by late action titles like Sekiro , Hollow Knight , and Katana Zero , and while I ask a svelte activeness experience , what I got was a revenge narration full of blood , and knockout that surprised me in more ways than one .
Taopunk Dream
Nine Sols ’ setting combines elements of Cyberpunk and Taoism to create a evenhandedly unique world that I have n’t realise explored before in media . The base of Taoism root in spiritual immortality and unity with nature are oddly antithetical yet like to Cyberpunk where being one with the simple machine to preserve one ’s consciousness is part of its Congress of Racial Equality doctrine . This blunt combination paints a landscape painting of machine and flesh perfect for a Metroidvania adventure .
In Nine Sols , we follow Yi , a warrior on a quest for revenge against the titular Nine Sols after being betrayed by his mentor and companions . This is n’t a simple revenge tale either , and there ’s a lot more to it than that . Yi is n’t a mute friend but a for the most part flesh - out character with a specific demeanor , a soft spot for his companions , peculiarly Shaunshaun , and potential for development . I ’m not going to spoil anything but I think the story is one of the stronger parts of Nine Sols and serves as a good motivator to keep play .
It ’s a bloody tale of unbridled ambitiousness , and the secret of what led to the perfidy is deserving seeing through to the end . The worldbuilding is dense , and there ’s a mass to condense here , but it ’s told in the usual logs fodder method acting that I ’m a bit trite of now . It ’s perfect when you ’re conversing with the character , and find out about the universe as an combat-ready participant but picking up the next log to understand about some bit of traditional knowledge does n’t aid with the pacing .
Hesitation is Defeat
Combat in Nine Sols is largely cheer by Sekiro ’s deflexion system , and that ’s quite manifest . Enemies have right tells , and indicators for when they ’re about to attack , andlearning to parryis downright indispensable if you desire to make it far , especially because your basic attack is very weak . The animations are clean , there ’s a substantial clink upon a successful parry , the reception from enemies is appropriate , and the follow - up always feel rewarding .
You ’re not just parrying though , because the follow - up involves Yi applying a Talisman on enemies and bosses for redundant damage and status effects . Getting used to this dancing takes a while , but there are enough enemy to smack you in the face to mystify the bit into you . You certainly get used to the car-mechanic but the game does n’t become easier , I ’d say , but the armed combat is refine , and polished . It does n’t sense random , and you’re able to always nail where you messed up .
gaffer drift from reasonably hard to straight - up sadistic . They have multiple phase angle , tons of attack to memorize , and some splendid soundtracks . Some of the fights in the second one-half of the game are up there with the hardest Soulslike battles . There ’s always the temptation to throw to the plot ’s “ Story Mode ” , but my pride would n’t have me , and I powered through to the prized “ impression of attainment ” .
Yi ’s arsenal slowly spread out as you march on through the floor , with new tools for movement , defense , and offence . These movement tools are n’t just vital for geographic expedition , but make for a part in combat too . The more you push , the more skill you ’ll unlock , and Nine Sols ’ major science tree feel focus , always supply some utility to your character rather than passive bonus .
Some sections palpate a spot too crowded for the 2D space , make block a scrap crafty than usual , but I guess Nine Sols falls into the hard - but - just family without feeling overbearing .
Hand-drawn to Perfection
Nine Sols is an absolutely gorgeous secret plan , and that ’s a consistent lineament throughout the experience . The character designs , animation work , and varied bosses are all detailed and memorable with arenas fitting to their personality . There are detailed manga panels in lieu of cutscenes , and there ’s a variety to their presentation as well . When you ’re literally walking through a flashback succession , you ’ll have control over the lineament with a dynamic ground , which is a great touch .
Each major area has a different visual melodic theme , but single section of each orbit can sense a bit flat . This pee exploration somewhat confusing at time , especially when the nonremittal map does n’t pass on individual rooms well . Yes , you finally get function buffalo chip to meliorate legibility , but it ’s largely an exercise in frustration to navigate stratum without any proper sense of focal point , even when look up the map .
Movement ability , and finally unlock quick traveling make thing more convenient , but I ’m not sure why lock away the ability to fast - locomotion between checkpoints is n’t uncommitted from the start . Some of the areas are monolithic , which just makes moving around an annoyance when it should n’t be .
None of these complaint take away from the brilliant art direction though , which Red Candle Games continues to sail through .
