Nine Sols

Nine Sols, developed and published by Red Candle Games (creators of Devotion and Detention), is a 2D action-platformer and Metroidvania released in 2024. The game is set in a visually stunning and lore-rich world described as "Taopunk," a unique fusion of Eastern mythology and high-tech cyberpunk aesthetics. It tells a dark story of vengeance and discovery in a ravaged new world.

The Lore: The Sky Island of New Kunlun

The world of Nine Sols takes place on New Kunlun, a massive, ancient island-ship built by an alien race known as the Solarians. They fled their home planet of Penglai centuries ago due to the outbreak of the Tianhuo virus—a devastating, incurable disease. To survive the 500-year journey, the Solarians entered a virtual reality stasis called the Eternal Cauldron Project. To power this massive neural network, they journeyed to Earth ("the pale-blue planet") to kidnap and breed humans ("Apemen") as livestock, harvesting their brains.

The player controls Yi, a vengeful ancient Solarian who was once one of the Ten Sols—the revered rulers of the planet. Yi was betrayed and mortally wounded by a fellow Sol, Eigong, before the launch of New Kunlun, leaving him in suspended animation within the roots of the mystical Fusang plant. Centuries later, Yi awakens in the Peach-Blossom Village (a human farm within New Kunlun) and is immediately drawn into a quest for revenge against the nine surviving Sols, who continue to rule their synthetic paradise while exploiting humanity.

Gameplay: Sekiro-Inspired Combat

The gameplay is defined by its fast-paced, challenging combat, drawing heavy inspiration from games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The focus is on deflection and timing:

• Deflection: Yi’s primary defensive and offensive tool. Successful parries and deflections of enemy attacks are crucial for absorbing and accumulating Qi, the game's energy resource.

• Talismans and Qi Explosions: Once Qi is accumulated, the player can dash through opponents to attach explosive talismans. Timing the dash and the subsequent explosion is key to dealing massive damage and breaking enemy stances.

• Melee and Ranged: Yi primarily uses his sword for melee combat, but also employs a bow for ranged attacks, adding versatility to difficult boss fights.

Success against the formidable enemies and spectacular bosses hinges entirely on mastering this deflection system, requiring patience, quick reflexes, and an understanding of enemy attack patterns.

Exploration and Customization

As a Metroidvania, Nine Sols encourages extensive exploration of the interconnected regions of New Kunlun, leading the player through diverse, hand-drawn environments like the Apeman Facility, the Power Reservoir, and the Empyrean District. Exploration leads to upgrades, abilities, and Jade slots, which function as passive buffs and customization options for Yi. The game features multiple endings, the resolution of which depends on the player's choices and item collection throughout their vengeful journey.