Nine Sols APK is a lore-rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer featuring Sekiro-inspired deflection-focused combat. Embark on a journey of Eastern fantasy, explore a 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.
About This Game
Nine Sols delivers a deep, story-driven experience set in a beautifully hand-crafted 2D world. Its combat system draws clear inspiration from Sekiro, placing heavy emphasis on well-timed deflections and precise counterattacks. Travel through an Asian fantasy landscape, uncover the remnants of an ancient extraterrestrial civilization, and pursue a path of vengeance against the nine sovereigns who dominate this desolate domain.
Story
"Become one with the way of Tao…"
In New Kunlun, the last sanctuary of the Solarian race, silence has reigned for centuries. Within this vast realm, ancient gods once bestowed upon mortals a promised land—forever guarded by sacred rituals. Yet the true nature of this world remains hidden from most.
Everything changes when Yi, a hero long forgotten by time, is awakened by a human child. Follow Yi on his vengeful crusade against the 9 Sols—the tyrannical rulers of this abandoned world—and obliterate every obstacle in your path with Sekiro-lite combat. Explore the unique "Taopunk" setting, a fusion of cyberpunk aesthetics with Taoist philosophy and Far Eastern mythology. Unravel the mysteries of an ancient alien race and discover the fate of humanity.
Modes of Nine Sols
Standard Mode – Designed for players who seek challenge and enjoy the thrill of combat and exploration.
- Features default scaling for player damage, enemy health, and enemy damage values.
- Players may irreversibly switch to Story Mode via the Gameplay options menu.
- Switching will affect achievements (specifically, the achievement tied to completing the game on Standard Mode).
Story Mode – Tailored for those who wish to fully immerse themselves in the narrative.
- Dynamically adjust damage multipliers at any time through the settings.
- Default modifiers: 150% Attack Multiplier and 25% Injury Multiplier.
- Attack Multiplier ranges from 100% to 1000% (up to 10x damage). The Azure Bow is affected twice by this multiplier, potentially reaching 100x damage.
- Injury Multiplier ranges from 1% to 100% of incoming damage. Continuous damage (e.g., from fire) remains noticeable, as duration is unaffected.
- Sliders offer continuous adjustment with precision limited only by pixel resolution.
- Achievements remain available in Story Mode, with the sole exception of Fight Through Hardship, earned by completing the game on Standard Mode.
- Given Red Candle Games' reputation for story-driven titles, many players—including their core fanbase—may not be accustomed to extreme difficulty. Story Mode opens the gates for a broader audience to explore the Nine Sols universe and enjoy its compelling plot. This mode was also a stretch goal (achieved at 6,000,000 NTD) during the Nine Sols Crowdfunding Project.
Battle Memories – A boss rematch mode unlocked after reaching any ending.
- Currently allows players to refight 8 Sol bosses with all skills, jades, and equipment unlocked.
- Bosses feature increased health and damage, with more pronounced effects on early encounters.
Features
2D Sekiro-lite Combat – Slash, deflect, charge into enemies, and detonate them with Taoist talismans! Each battle weaves fast, brutal action sequences with classic platforming mechanics.
Intriguing Boss Fights – Prepare to face vicious ancient guardians and grotesque creatures. Exercise patience, utilize every tool in your arsenal, and combine Yi's divine bow with melee attacks to overcome these larger-than-life foes.
Taopunk Setting – A groundbreaking fusion of cyberpunk and Taoism, blending sci-fi elements with Eastern mythology and fantasy to birth the experimental Taopunk genre.
Exploration – Traverse the interconnected regions of New Kunlun. Discover hidden secrets and piece together the story behind Yi's revenge.
Aids from Inhabitants – Meet memorable NPCs, interact with them to receive upgrades, unlock new abilities, and acquire useful technology.
Hand-drawn Environments, Animations, and Manga – Nine Sols is filled with meticulously crafted, anime-style landscapes and sprite-based hand-drawn animations, complemented by Japanese manga-inspired cutscenes.
Useful Tips for Nine Sols
Don't Forget to Visit the Pavilion – As you progress through the various zones, regularly return to the Four Seasons Pavilion. It's not only a safe haven but also a hub for obtaining key items, advancing NPC quests, recycling items for Jin, and purchasing upgrades. Frequent visits ensure you never miss critical story events and always have the equipment needed to overcome the next challenge.
Master Dodging – While parrying is powerful and—with the right upgrades—can reflect projectiles, Yi cannot rely on it in every situation. Overusing parries can be fatal. Dodging allows Yi to slip past enemy attacks and reposition safely. Once out of danger, you can recover and re-engage, or follow up with a well-timed Shadow Strike for massive damage.
Understand Internal vs. Direct Damage – Both Yi and his enemies suffer from two damage types. Direct damage cannot be healed without healing items. Internal damage accumulates over time but will gradually regenerate if Yi avoids further hits. Equip various Jades to mitigate internal damage effects; some even grant healing after successful parries.
Don't Neglect the Azure Bow – After reuniting with Kuafu, you'll receive the Azure Bow. This secondary weapon is vital and should be upgraded regularly using Dark Steel. The bow can clear out groups of weaker enemies and interrupt stronger foes mid-attack, turning the tide in tight situations.
Avoid Charging Into Groups – It's tempting to rush headlong into a crowd after a winning streak, but even small groups can overwhelm Yi. Each enemy type has distinct attack patterns, and tracking them all simultaneously is challenging. Take a moment to assess each area, devise a strategy, and proceed with patience—especially early on, when the risk of losing Jin and EXP is high.
Final Verdict
Nine Sols is ideally suited for players who crave demanding combat wrapped in a clear revenge narrative and a vividly realized world. Set within New Kunlun, the story follows Yi's relentless hunt for nine rulers of a forsaken realm. By fusing cyberpunk concepts with Taoist and Far Eastern mythology, the game establishes a distinctive Taopunk aesthetic while maintaining a lore-heavy tone for those who enjoy uncovering history through environments and characters.
