Why You Should Play Nine Sols

Nine Sols is a 2D, Sekiro-inspired metroidvania developed by Taiwanese studio Red Candle Games and released earlier this year on Steam. Despite being rated 95% “Overwhelmingly Positive” on Steam, the game has flown largely under the radar. As a longtime lurker on the r/metroidvania subreddit, I added it to my Wishlist the moment I saw its stunning hand-drawn art style. Nine Sols released on May 29, 2024, and I finally got around to playing it in late July. When my 35-hour journey, including five hours spent on the final boss alone, was complete. I knew this was one of my favorite games of the year. What shocked me most was how little buzz it has generated. I’m here to tell you: this is one of the year’s best games. Don’t sleep on it when it launches on consoles next week.

Prepare to Parry

The Steam description for Nine Sols reads: “Nine Sols is a lore-rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer featuring Sekiro-inspired deflection-focused combat.” That description nails it. In today’s crowded market of “soulslikes”—games inspired by Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro with their emphasis on blocking, parrying, dodging, and inevitable death—standing out is tough. Nine Sols carves its place as the best 2D soulslike I’ve played—and I’ve played most of them. 

You control Yi, a Solarian (a humanoid, cat-like being) martial artist who parries enemy attacks with his bare hands. This parrying system is the heart of the game. Successfully deflecting attacks builds an enemy’s “internal damage,” represented by a light purple bar within their red health gauge. Once enough internal damage is built, you can unleash a talisman explosion to convert it into devastating true damage—sometimes outright killing the enemy. Talismans, which come in three forms, are unlocked as you progress through the game both from defeating certain bosses and spending skill points. While this system might sound complex, it’s simple in practice: parry a few hits, launch a talisman, and watch your enemy crumble—or at least lose a significant chunk of health.

This elegant combat system creates a rhythmic “dance” that’s incredibly satisfying. Fans of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will recognize the thrill of perfectly-timed deflections. Nine Sols captures that same joy, especially during sequences where you parry multiple attacks in quick succession. The clang of Yi’s strikes and the visual feedback are endlessly rewarding. If you’ve ever loved a parry-focused game, you’ll fall head over heels for Nine Sols.

Incredible Bosses

Nine Sols is packed with boss fights, though not to the overwhelming degree of games like Black Myth: Wukong. Major bosses are crucial to progressing the story, while optional mini bosses, often guarding key upgrades or items, reward exploration. Encountering a new boss always filled me with excitement, because I knew I was in for a challenge, and it never got old.

Each fight demands learning patterns and rhythms, a hallmark of the genre. Whether you conquer a boss on the first try or spend hours struggling, the satisfaction of finally succeeding is immense. My advice? If you hit a wall, take a break. It’s amazing how often stepping away leads to victory on the next attempt.

Two particular boss fights stand out as highlights—not just for 2024, but for the genre as a whole. The mechanics, animations, and sheer artistry involved make them more memorable than anything I encountered in Shadow of the Erdtree. Nine Sols features no cheap or poorly designed bosses; every fight feels intentional and rewarding.

Rewarding Exploration

As a metroidvania, Nine Sols features a sprawling, non-linear map with progression gates unlocked by acquiring new abilities or tools. Exploration is highly encouraged, and the game rewards your curiosity with mini-boss encounters, significant upgrades, or lore that deepens your understanding of the world and characters.

The zones are perfectly sized—big enough to feel expansive but not overwhelming to traverse. Backtracking, a metroidvania staple, is well-implemented here. Once you unlock new abilities, returning to earlier areas often reveals secrets and treasures you couldn’t access before. The map is clear and intuitive, a must-have for any metroidvania fan. Poor maps can ruin the experience, but Nine Sols nails this essential feature.

Taopunk Story

Before playing Nine Sols, I was unfamiliar with Taoism. By the time I finished, I’d not only learned something new about this culture and philosophy but experienced it through rich, beautifully written characters. The game introduces itself as “Taopunk,” blending science fiction with Eastern mythology in a unique way.

On the surface, Nine Sols is a revenge tale. Yi is betrayed by his fellow rulers of New Kunlun, left for dead, and revived by a mysterious energy-infused plant called the Primordial Root. This power not only explains Yi’s ability to resurrect but also ties into deeper thematic elements best experienced firsthand.

Beneath the revenge narrative lies a story about shattered worldviews, the price of immortality, and the sacrifices we make for those we love. Without spoiling too much, the opening act of Nine Sols sets the tone masterfully, thrusting you into a journey filled with twists and revelations.

Yi himself is a standout protagonist. His tough exterior softens over time as he bonds with characters like Shuanshuan, a young boy under his care; Abacus, an AI confidant; and Kuafu, a bear-like old friend. Even the titular Nine Sols, who betrayed Yi, have deeply tragic backstories. The story unfolds through a mix of dialogue, lore items, and breathtaking Chinese manga-inspired cutscenes, creating a truly memorable narrative experience.

High-Quality Presentation

In terms of art direction, Nine Sols ranks among 2024’s best (snubbed by The Game Awards). Its hand-drawn art and animation are fluid, vibrant, and distinctive. Imagine the artistic polish of Hollow Knight, but with a more colorful palette. Each environment is meticulously crafted, from lush grottos bathed in green and yellow, to neon-soaked entertainment districts, to stark industrial corridors.

Playing primarily on Steam Deck, I experienced flawless performance, and I hope the console versions will run just as smoothly. Nine Sols will shine on an OLED tv or OLED Switch in particular thanks to its striking colors. The soundtrack is equally excellent and available on Spotify—worth a listen even outside the game.

Final Thoughts

Nine Sols is a masterpiece that deserves far more attention. Between its deeply rewarding combat, unforgettable boss fights, engrossing exploration, and stunning presentation, it stands as one of the year’s finest games. Whether you’re a soulslike aficionado, a metroidvania enthusiast, or just someone looking for a great story, don’t miss this gem when it lands on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass next week.