Nine Sols

Nine Sols is widely celebrated as a that expertly blends challenging combat with rich storytelling and stunning artistic design. Players frequently compare it to genre-defining titles like Hollow Knight and Sekiro, but Nine Sols carves its own identity with a heavy emphasis on parry-based combat and a "taopunk" aesthetic that fuses Eastern philosophy with cyberpunk elements. The gameplay is tight and fluid, demanding skillful timing and strategy, especially during its memorable boss battles. The story is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, gradually unfolding through well-written characters and lore that many find captivating. The soundtrack complements the atmosphere with a unique mix of traditional and electronic sounds. While the game is challenging, it offers difficulty options and a fair progression system that rewards persistence. Minor critiques include linear level design, occasional combat input lag, and some repetitive boss mechanics near the end. Overall, it is considered a polished, rewarding experience and a must-play for fans of difficult action-platformers.

Highlights

Players highly praise Nine Sols for its , especially the parry system and boss design, which are described as satisfying and fair. The is universally acclaimed as beautiful and unique, blending traditional East Asian motifs with futuristic elements. The is regarded as deep, emotional, and well-crafted, with characters that players quickly connect with. The soundtrack, mixing Mongolian singing and electronic music, enhances the immersive atmosphere. The game’s difficulty is challenging but balanced, rewarding skill and learning. Many appreciate the thoughtful integration of lore and the strategic charm (jade) system, which adds meaningful customization to gameplay.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the , which some find steep or frustrating, particularly the final boss that demands near-perfect execution. A few players note the and limited exploration compared to other metroidvanias. Some mention the combat can feel at times, with parrying mechanics that are sometimes unclear or overly complex. The charm (jade) system, while praised by many, is seen by some as underdeveloped or not impactful enough. Dialogue and cutscenes are considered lengthy by some, with requests for skip options. A minority find the game’s combat and enemy encounters tedious or overwhelming.