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Nine Sols is a 2D platformer or “ Metroidvania ” with phenomenal art and deep lore . Wearing its inspirations on its sleeve , Nine Sols feels like some interbreeding between Sekiro and Hollow Knight , and while there are certain aspects of the secret plan I feel could be improved , it would be impossible not to credit Nine Sols as the stand - out title it for sure is .
As I bring up above , Nine Sols is a so - called Metroidvania title , a genre of side - scrolling action mechanism platformers so called for its root in the definitive titles Metroid and Castlevania . In my past revaluation , I ’ve made no secret of my opinion of Metroidvania titles , and Nine Sols ’ gameplay can feel very similar . Nine Sols also continues the genre ’s tradition of great artwork and stylistic face , which seems to be a genre staple for indie Metroidvania titles .
What I especially enjoy about Nine Sols ’ art direction is how deceptively simple everything looks . Characters are made with simple yet easily placeable silhouettes , bright colors with minimal shading and an overall cartoony physique . These invention then instantly collide with stunning backgrounds , swell details murals or implausibly smooth aliveness . I never perplex tired of looking at Nine Sols , and plunge myself in its unparalleled style was an experience I almost enjoyed more than the game itself .
Nine Sols boast a singular style that the developer call “ Taopunk , ” I could n’t guess of a better name for it myself . Nine Sols blends the fantastical with the futuristic , get down in a place that feels direct out of Eastern legend and quickly transition into a techno - tabernacle built for an ancient spaceflight subspecies . It seamlessly blends ( what I understand to be ) Taoist spiritualism with sci - fi dystopian concepts , take in for a visually interesting landscape and a very compelling account , which I ’ll refer on in a fleck .
I desire to break up my praise of Nine Sols a snatch by saying that for all the biz had going for it , I was n’t entirely impressed by the actual gameplay .
To be more specific , the game ’s combat did n’t bluster me forth . The fight mechanics in Nine Sols experience perfectly basic , built around simple three - remove combos and a company mechanic they seem to want you to use in every encounter . Talisman spells seem to be the most unique aspect of the combat , allow you to draw off a mellow - damage onset with unique effects ( motley based on your build ) after successfully parrying . Unique though it may be , I did n’t discover them peculiarly exciting to draw out off , and it was a little difficult on the keyboard and mouse . However , to be completely fair , the biz recommends play with a controller .
I found circumvent enemy to be difficult to draw off , which seems to be completely designed ; Nine Sols clear wants to emulate the difficultness of its biggest inspiration , Sekiro . This is see clearly in the hurt number and speed of onset patterns on enemies . If you are n’t heedful , you will go quickly , and to be perfectly honorable , I ’m okay with that . It adds a slight tension to the combat , which can otherwise experience a fleck terrestrial .
In contrast , however , I found that boss fights tended to be a short unexciting . The game has a contrivance machinist , which , in fights against regular mobs , can be an okay tool to use ( not a guaranteed escape with how fast enemies attack ) or a dying sentence if you get caught in a corner . In boss fight , though , this mechanic made clearing a little too easy ,
I think this probably does , in large part , due to the remainder in size between Yi and the gaffer opposition and the speed of their tone-beginning pattern . The latter more so , if I ’m being reliable , I found that boss enemies , compare to the usual foes you went against , had much more telegraphed attacks and were far leisurely to dodge . They also did n’t turn around during an flak , which help oneself a stack .
Nine Sols stands out , above all else , with its story .
Nine Sols separate the tale of Yi , a vengeful grinder who is off to off the 9 Sols . It would be a complete wastefulness for me to queer it for you here . What I will say is that the story flux Eastern Mysticism with Sci - fi conceptualism , with themes of betrayal , planetary colonization , human cattle farming , and other unexpected and attention - grabbing concepts submit through the game ’s lore .
The storytelling is well done and slow , unraveling both as you venture deeper into the game ’s report and through both info packets and environmental storytelling as you search the game ’s level .
I will say , however , that the game ’s frequent use of cutscenes and phonation - acting - loose dialogue can sometimes grind the plot ’s tempo to a stop . Despite how incredible the game ’s visuals can be , there were times when the prospicient , pan shots of way or especially the longsighted exchanges of dialogue had me thinking , “ ok , let ’s get a move on here . ” It does n’t assist that these moments can bulge up oftentimes and in the midriff of gameplay . Nine Sols could have gone with less expo and more environmental storytelling .
That being say , I enjoyed the quality , even when I bid they would talk a little less . Above all else , the kinship between Yi and a certain boy from a human hamlet is interesting and fun to see fleshed out , as is the geographic expedition of our booster ’s past with the cryptical Solarians and the Nine Sols in particular .
The Final Word
Nine Sols feels like a love varsity letter to Sekiro and the Metroidvania music genre as a whole . Though dense at times , the game ’s stress on storytelling pairs well with its great visuals , presenting a narrative experience paired with some challenging but fair gameplay .
Try Hard Guides received a personal computer reappraisal code for this game . Find more detailed look at pop and upcoming rubric on ourGame Reviewspage ! Nine Sols is available onSteam .
