Revisiting Nine Sols: A Gripping Taopunk Journey that Demands Perfection

When Red Candle Games – the studio behind the haunting Devotion and Detention – first released Nine Sols on PC, its leap into a 2D ‘Sekiro-lite’ Metroidvania felt like a bold, even risky departure. Yet, it was a gamble that completely won me over. Now, replaying it on Nintendo Switch after that first PC run, I find myself questioning: does Red Candle’s sudden shift from psychological horror masters to action-focused powerhouse remain just as impressive on Nintendo’s hybrid platform? Let’s find out.

A Taopunk Tale of Revenge and Heart

In Nine Sols, you take on the role of Yi, a stoic hero who awakens after 500 years in New Kunlun, a world where Taoist philosophy meets futuristic sci-fi, determined to pursue a single goal. Among the Solarians – a sophisticated race of cat-like beings whose history is woven into every corner of this world – nine of them betrayed him. While the plot is rooted in revenge, the setting forms a stunningly original canvas: a Taopunk universe brought to life through hand-drawn animations and gorgeous 2D layers.

Though Yi presents a cold exterior, the narrative doesn’t shy away from showing his heart, most notably in his drive to save Shuanshuan, the young human whose fate becomes deeply intertwined with his own. Revisiting the game, I’m immediately reminded of just how dense the lore is, exploring everything from Solarian agriculture to their desperate search for immortality – all frequently expanded through impressively animated sequences and flashbacks that enrich the overall experience.

The Art of Deflection

New Kunlun is a massive, interconnected labyrinth where you’ll constantly double back as you unlock new abilities, like the air dash or double jump, to reach previously inaccessible secrets. With a grapple hook available from the start, movement feels vertical and free, while a well-timed dodge provides that crucial split-second of invincibility needed to stay alive. To take down the nine bosses at the heart of New Kunlun, you’ll need to hack machines, thin out the enemy ranks, and dive into a deep skill tree. Success also hinges on your Jade Chips, passive modifiers that offer customization similar to Hollow Knight’s charms.

As a Sekiro-like, Nine Sols‘ parry-based combat drives the entire experience, and it doesn’t pull any punches. A successful deflection gives Yi a Qi Charge, allowing you to place an explosive talisman for massive internal damage. It’s a fast-paced, brutal system where precision is everything, with blood gushing and limbs flying everywhere. Most importantly, the combat itself still feels incredibly smooth. The controls are snappy and responsive, creating a rhythmic flow that, once mastered, makes the steep challenge feel fair rather than frustrating. On top of that, the world is scattered with Root Nodes where you can fortunately recover and gear up for your next encounter, alongside sporadic hits from your medicine pipe for quick, on-the-go healing.

Accessible Action, Technical Trade-Offs

Upon release, Nine Sols was notoriously punishing, but the inclusion of a Story Mode already made both a second playthrough and a newcomer’s first run far more approachable. With customizable incoming and outgoing damage modifiers, you can also tune the challenge to your liking, managing the level of frustration without losing the impact of the narrative.

On the technical side, it must be said that the PC version offers a smoother overall experience thanks to its 4K/120Hz option. By comparison, Nine Sols on Nintendo Switch, without any Switch 2 upgrade path, generally targets 60 FPS but does suffer occasional frame dips. Even so, the handheld experience remains perfectly playable. Additionally, I still love the sound design, especially the soundtrack – an atmospheric blend of traditional flutes, strings, and Shamisen – which also provides some much-needed moments of calm between the intense combat sequences.

For all its artistry, the game still has its rougher edges. Some enemy patterns can feel inconsistent, with hitboxes that remain active in deceptive ways, sometimes hitting you even when you’re positioned behind the attacker. Furthermore, the core Metroidvania mechanics are fairly standard and don’t really push any boundaries for the genre. As a final minor gripe, the cutscenes are still unskippable, which remains a bit of a hurdle for anyone wanting to jump straight back into the action on a second run.

Final Thoughts

Nine Sols is an exceptional, mechanically rich odyssey set in an intriguing and breathtaking Taopunk world. While the pacing can be uneven and the platforming tropes are familiar, the Sekiro-lite combat and world-building make it well worth a revisit – especially since the Story Mode takes the sting out of the game’s toughest challenges. As expected, the Switch version can’t quite match the PC’s performance, but it remains a great title for handheld play given its relatively light hardware demands.

Additional Information

Release Date: November 6, 2024 (Switch)
Revisited On: Nintendo Switch 2. A physical copy was provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Red Candle Games
Publisher: Red Candle Games
Relevant links: Available on STEAM and Nintendo eShop (NL-BE, NL-NL, US).