Introduction
Scrolling through the eShop reveals a plethora of Metroidvania games released each week, making it challenging for any new title to stand out. However, Nine Sols, developed by Red Candle Games, managed to carve a niche for itself earlier this year on PC and has now made its way to the Nintendo Switch. The game’s unique blend of intense combat mechanics reminiscent of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, coupled with a range of skills, abilities, and upgrades, sets it apart from its Metroidvania counterparts released in 2024.
Storyline and Gameplay
The game follows the journey of Yi, who is betrayed by peers and left for dead, only to be revived years later by a young boy, Shuanshuan, who hails Yi as a legendary hero. As Yi sets out on a quest for revenge and truth, players delve into a world filled with mystery and intrigue.
Art Style and Design
Red Candle Games describes the world of Nine Sols as ‘Taopunk’, blending cyberpunk elements with Taoist philosophy from China. While this fusion aims to create a unique narrative and artistic style, the execution falls short of expectations. The contrasting futuristic and traditional themes in the game occasionally clash, leading to disjointed visuals and settings.
Combat and Progression
Nine Sols’ combat system strikes a fine balance between accessibility and challenge, drawing parallels to games like Sekiro. Players are encouraged to adopt a defensive playstyle, utilizing precise blocking and parrying mechanics to unleash devastating attacks. The inclusion of Talisman abilities adds depth to the combat, allowing players to customize their playstyle and approach to encounters.
Boss Fights
One of the highlights of the game is its boss encounters, featuring a diverse cast of formidable foes ranging from knights to sorcerers. The boss battles showcase inventive designs that stand out amidst the game’s other elements. Players are granted the freedom to employ various strategies typically reserved for regular enemies, adding a layer of depth to each encounter.
Exploration and Navigation
While Nine Sols excels in combat and storytelling, its world map design leaves much to be desired. Navigating between areas and understanding the interconnected paths can be a challenge, often leading to frustration for players. Despite these shortcomings, the engaging combat encounters overshadow the game’s navigational issues.
Visuals and Performance
The game’s visuals shine on the Nintendo Switch, especially when played on the OLED model. Nine Sols maintains a high level of visual fidelity and smooth frame rates, delivering an immersive gaming experience devoid of performance hiccups.
Conclusion
While Nine Sols may stumble in certain areas such as world design and thematic cohesion, its core strengths lie in combat mechanics and character progression. The game’s gripping revenge narrative, coupled with challenging gameplay, ensures an engaging experience for players. Despite its flaws, Nine Sols remains a testament to the enduring appeal of Metroidvania titles.