Nine Sols

Nine Sols for Windows: A Taoist Cyberpunk Metroidvania Worth Your Time

If you're a fan of challenging action-platformers with a soulful twist, Nine Sols from Red Candle Games is a title that deserves a spot on your hard drive. Combining ancient Chinese mythology with a neon-drenched cyberpunk setting, this game delivers a unique blend of precision combat, hand-drawn artistry, and a deeply personal story. Here's what you need to know before you dive in.

At a Glance: What Is Nine Sols?

定位描述: Nine Sols is a 2D action-adventure Metroidvania that fuses soulslike combat with Taoist philosophy and a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk aesthetic, where every parry and exploration choice matters.

开发团队: Red Candle Games, the Taiwanese indie studio known for the haunting horror games Detention and Devotion.

主要亮点:

• Precision Parry System: A core combat mechanic that rewards timing over button-mashing.
• Hand-Painted Art Style: Every frame feels like a traditional ink-wash painting brought to life with neon lights.
• Nonlinear World Design: A dense interconnected map full of secrets, shortcuts, and meaningful upgrades.
• Story-Driven Worldbuilding: A narrative rooted in Chinese folklore that explores themes of sacrifice, rebellion, and identity.

目标用户: Gamers who love Metroidvanias like Hollow Knight or Blasphemous, but also those craving a fresh setting that doesn't rely on Western tropes. Perfect for anyone patient enough to learn tricky parry timings and enjoy a slow-burn story.

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Getting Into the Action: First Impressions

From the moment you enter the world of New Kunlun, you're hit with a visual feast: rusted skyscrapers tangled with bamboo forests, and enemies that look like corrupted monks wielding energy blades. The protagonist, Yi, is a cybernetic hero with a personal vendetta against nine tyrannical Sols. The game wastes no time throwing you into a tutorial that teaches the parry – and trust me, you'll want to master this early. The learning curve is steep, but not punishing. It's like learning to play a difficult instrument: frustrating at first, but deeply satisfying once you nail the rhythm.

The Soul of the Combat: Parry or Die

The standout feature here is the parry-based combat system. Most Metroidvanias let you dodge roll through everything, but Nine Sols forces you to stand your ground. Enemies telegraph attacks with clear visual cues, and a perfectly timed parry can stagger them, leaving them open for a counterattack that heals you. It's a high-risk, high-reward dance that makes every encounter feel like a duel. Boss fights, in particular, are where this system shines – each of the nine Sols has unique patterns that demand you adapt on the fly. The game also offers a ranged option (a bow with limited ammo) and a charge attack, but the parry remains the star. One misstep can cost you half your health, but that tension keeps you engaged, not frustrated. The combat never feels unfair; it just demands attention.

Exploration That Rewards Curiosity

The map of New Kunlun is a twisted web of corridors, elevators, and hidden rooms. Unlike some Metroidvanias that rely on obscure gating, Nine Sols uses ability-based progression – you'll unlock double jumps, air dashes, and a grappling hook gradually. What sets it apart is how the environment tells a story: abandoned apartments with family photos, data logs from fallen soldiers, and shrines that offer lore about the nine gods. The exploration is paced well, with save points (called “Incense Nodes”) placed generously, but not so many that danger evaporates. The learning curve here is gentle: the game doesn't punish you for getting lost, but it does reward you for backtracking with new areas and upgrades. The interface is clean – a simple map with icons for shops, benches, and bosses – and the controls are snappy. I played on an Xbox controller via Windows, and input lag was nonexistent. The art runs at a smooth 60 FPS on a mid-range gaming laptop, though the hand-painted backgrounds are so detailed that you'll want to pause and admire them.

What Makes It Different? The Cultural Cocktail

Compared to other action-adventure games like Hollow Knight or Ori, Nine Sols stands out for its thematic originality. Instead of bugs or forests, you get a world where Taoist immortals are cyborg dictators, and you fight with a blade that channels “Chi” energy. The story doesn't just use Eastern aesthetics as decoration – it weaves actual Taoist concepts like the balance of yin and yang into the gameplay mechanics. For example, healing requires you to stand still and “meditate” for a short window, leaving you vulnerable. It's a small touch that reinforces the game's philosophy. Another unique hook: the “Sol” system. Each of the nine bosses is a god tied to a specific concept (like “Sol of Famine” or “Sol of Despair”), and defeating them gives you permanent stat boosts that affect how you approach the rest of the map. This isn't just a skill tree – it's a narrative decision that makes you feel like you're reshaping the world.

Who Should Download It (and Who Shouldn't)

推荐程度: I'd give Nine Sols a solid 9 out of 10 for fans of the genre, but I'd caution casual players. If you love a challenge that makes you feel smart after winning, this is your game. If you prefer to relax with low-stakes exploration, you might find the parry-based combat too demanding. The game runs well on Windows – I tested it on both Steam and the Xbox Store version (they're identical). No major bugs, but the text is small in places, so a larger screen is recommended. 使用建议: Play with a controller, invest in the parry upgrade tree first, and don't be afraid to die. Each death teaches you a boss's rhythm. And if you're the type who likes to dig into lore, read every data log – the story of Yi and the Sols is more emotional than it first appears.

FAQ

How do I start the game and what are the basic controls?

Launch Nine Sols from your library. The tutorial introduces movement, jumping, and deflection. Default keys are WASD for movement, left-click for attack, and right-click for deflection. You can remap controls in Settings > Controls.

Can I save my progress manually, or is it autosave only?

The game uses autosave at checkpoints and after major events. You can also manually save at rest spots. Your save file syncs with the cloud automatically. Access saves via Main Menu > Load Game.

How does the deflection-based combat system work?

Press the deflection button (right-click by default) just before an enemy attack lands. A perfect parry staggers foes and reduces their posture. Master timing to chain deflects and counter with strong strikes. Practice in the training area accessible from any rest spot.

What are Taoist talismans and how do I use them?

Taoist talismans are special items that grant temporary buffs or damage effects. Equip them in the inventory screen. During combat, hold the talisman key (Q) to activate its effect. You can craft new talismans at workbenches found throughout New Kunlun.

How do I unlock new abilities and upgrades?

Progress through the story to earn skill points. Spend them in the Skill Tree accessible from the pause menu. You can also find ability modules from NPCs and hidden chests. Upgrades for health, stamina, and damage are permanent.

How do I navigate the interconnected regions of New Kunlun?

Use the map (M key) to view explored areas and locked paths. Fast travel points unlock after defeating certain bosses. Look for glowing symbols that indicate shortcuts. You can also purchase a compass from the merchant in the hub area to reveal secret routes.