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Nine Sols

Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S, Mac, PlayStation 4 • 2024

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

95/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up

Pros

  • Challenging and rewarding combat
  • Unique and beautiful art style
  • Deep and engaging story
  • Rich world-building and lore
  • Meaningful progression and customization

Cons

  • Steep difficulty curve may frustrate some
  • Some ui and map navigation issues
  • Punishing death mechanics
  • Lack of multiplayer or social features
  • Loading times and occasional minor bugs

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have significant control over combat style, skill upgrades, and exploration order within a mostly linear but somewhat open metroidvania structure."

  • Competence
    5

    "The game is challenging with a steep learning curve, requiring mastery of timing-based parrying and combat mechanics, rewarding skill development."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on personal mastery and overcoming game challenges rather than competing against other players."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Players report long play sessions, repeated boss attempts, and high engagement with the game’s combat and story."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players customize combat builds via skill trees and charms, and explore a richly designed world, though within predefined structures."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; gameplay is solitary and focused on self-improvement."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Players use the game’s immersive world, story, and challenging gameplay as a form of escape and engagement."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Players experiment with different combat styles, charms, and upgrades to find preferred playstyles."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Metroidvania exploration with some freedom in area order and backtracking to discover secrets and upgrades."

  • Expression
    2

    "Customization of combat abilities and charms allows some self-expression, though character appearance is fixed."

  • Fantasy
    5

    "Strong fantasy elements with Taoist mythology, cyberpunk aesthetics, and imaginative narrative."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "No social or community features; experience is solitary."

  • Growth
    5

    "Players develop skills, learn enemy patterns, and improve combat proficiency over time."

  • Health
    -4

    "Requires extended sedentary play with intense focus; no physical activity involved."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires constant attention and focus due to challenging combat and precise timing."

  • Intimacy
    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships; interactions are with NPCs in a narrative context only."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; single-player focused."

  • Progression
    4

    "Players accumulate upgrades, skill points, charms, and abilities to enhance combat and traversal."

  • Relaxation
    -3

    "High difficulty and tension in combat create sustained challenge rather than relaxation."

  • Sensation
    4

    "Rich audiovisual presentation with striking art, music, and satisfying combat feedback."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on personal achievement."

  • Story
    5

    "Strong narrative emphasis with deep lore, character development, and immersive storytelling."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Combat and boss fights require strategic timing, pattern recognition, and tactical use of abilities."

  • Thrill
    4

    "Combat tension and boss encounters provide suspense and excitement."

  • Value
    4

    "Players perceive high value due to quality, length, and engaging gameplay."

  • Violence
    4

    "Combat involves intense fighting, parrying, and defeating enemies with graphic violence."

  • Survival
    4

    "Players must avoid death and manage resources like health and currency under threat of loss."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026