Nine Sols
Action
Adventure
Indie
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
Color Alternatives
Custom Volume Controls
Adjustable Difficulty
Keyboard Only Option
Stereo Sound
Steam Cloud
Steam Leaderboards
Family Sharing

Nine Sols is a lore rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer featuring Sekiro-inspired deflection focused combat. Embark on a journey of eastern fantasy, explore the land once home to an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero’s quest to slay the 9 Sols, formidable rulers of this forsaken realm.

Developers: RedCandleGames
Publishers: RedCandleGames
Release Date: May 28, 2024
Price (USD): $29.99
Current Players: 763

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Overwhelmingly Positive(96%)
parry mechanics
art style
engaging narrative
compelling story
satisfying combat
parry mechanics
platforming elements
dialogue length
map navigation
difficulty
steep learning curve
challenging final boss
tedious platforming
fast travel issues
pacing issues
Overall, Nine Sols receives enthusiastic praise for its combat system, art style, and engaging narrative. Although many appreciate the challenging parry mechanics as a core feature, others find it frustrating due to the difficulty. Additional critiques focus on platforming elements and issues with the fast travel and map navigation systems. Despite these criticisms, the game is widely regarded as a masterpiece, appealing especially to fans of challenging action-adventure games and metroidvanias.

Positive Points

  • The game's combat system is highly praised for being engaging, rewarding, and satisfying, especially the parry mechanics that are central to the experience.
  • The art style and aesthetics are frequently highlighted as beautiful, unique, and a major draw for players.
  • The storytelling, world-building, and character development are considered compelling and invest players deeply in the game's narrative.
  • The game is often compared favorably to Hollow Knight and Sekiro, with many players appreciating the challenging but fair nature of the gameplay.
  • Negative Points

  • Some players find the game overly difficult, particularly criticizing the steep learning curve and the challenging final boss.
  • There are complaints about the platforming elements, which some players find tedious or less polished compared to other aspects of the game.
  • The game’s fast travel system and map navigation are points of contention, with players finding them cumbersome or lacking.
  • Mixed Points

  • The game's reliance on parrying is both a highlight and a source of frustration for players who struggle with timing and precision.
  • While many appreciate the depth and length of the story, others feel that there is too much dialogue, leading to pacing issues.
  • Common Themes

  • Comparison to other popular metroidvanias like Hollow Knight and to Sekiro is a recurring theme, often for its parry mechanics and difficulty.
  • The fact that the game manages a balance between a compelling story, engaging combat, and rich aesthetic is a consensus among reviews.
  • Updated 5/12/2026, 12:01:26 AM UTC