Nine Sols
Action
Adventure
Indie
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
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: 506

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Overwhelmingly Positive(96%)
parry-based combat
immersive narrative
beautiful art
engaging story
rich soundtrack
parry mechanic
linear nature
heavy themes
difficulty spike
final boss
linear exploration
massive dialogue
overly challenging
The reviews generally convey a positive sentiment towards the game, especially highlighting its engaging parry-based combat system and rich story. Players are divided on the accessibility of the game's difficulty, which some praise for its rewarding challenge, while others criticize it as unforgiving, especially the final boss being a significant difficulty spike. Although the narrative depth and visuals are widely appreciated, the game’s linear exploration and dialogue-heavy sequences generate a mix of enthusiasm and fatigue. Overall, for those seeking a challenging metroidvania with philosophical depth, Nine Sols without doubt delivers a compelling experience.

Positive Points

  • The game is praised for its challenging and engaging parry-based combat system, reminiscent of Sekiro, which many players found satisfying and exhilarating once mastered.
  • The storytelling and world-building receive high marks, with players appreciating the deep, immersive narrative and well-developed characters. The combination of Taoist philosophy and cyberpunk elements creates a unique and captivating setting.
  • Artistic presentation is consistently praised, with beautiful hand-drawn art, strong visual design, and impressive animation quality enhancing the overall experience.
  • The soundtrack is highlighted as a strong component, with music that complements the game's themes and sequences perfectly.
  • Negative Points

  • Some players find the game overly difficult, particularly criticizing the final boss for being extremely challenging and creating a significant difficulty spike.
  • There is criticism regarding the story's pacing and the sheer amount of dialogue, which some feel interrupts gameplay and could be shortened.
  • The exploration aspect is seen as more linear compared to other metroidvanias, which some players find disappointing as it limits replayability and the depth of exploration.
  • Mixed Points

  • The parry mechanic is a central gameplay element and, while some players find it rewarding and enjoyable, others find it to be a barrier due to its high difficulty curve.
  • The game’s narrative and character development, while generally appreciated, can be divisive, with some players feeling disconnected from the main character or overwhelmed by the heavy themes.
  • Common Themes

  • Combining elements of Sekiro and metroidvanias like Hollow Knight, Nine Sols stands out for its combat-focused gameplay and philosophical narrative.
  • The game is recognized for delivering an emotional and impactful story, often touching on complex themes such as immortality, redemption, and existentialism.
  • Although the game provides a powerful single playthrough experience, its linear nature and high difficulty may not appeal to everyone, particularly those looking for more exploratory freedom.
  • Updated 10/1/2025, 12:02:13 AM UTC