Sekiro-Inspired Platformer Receives Glowing Reviews, Now Available on PS4 & PS5

FromSoftware-inspired games seem to pop up everywhere these days, but once in a while, a standout really grabs attention. That’s the case with Red Candle Games’ newest release, Nine Sols, which has recently made it to the PS4 and PS5. If you’re a Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice enthusiast, this is definitely a title you shouldn’t miss.

Released on PC earlier this year and now coming to the PlayStation consoles, Nine Sols dives into a metroidvania adventure set in a world described as “taopunk.” Its aesthetic is brought to life with stunning hand-drawn 2D visuals, drawing inspiration from games like Sekiro, Hollow Knight, and Katana Zero. If you want a peek into its intriguing universe and gameplay, you should definitely check out the trailer below.

According to the PlayStation Store blurb, Nine Sols is “a lore-rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer” boasting combat that takes a page from Sekiro with its focus on deflection-based fighting. The game invites players into a journey of Asian fantasy, where you’ll explore a land that was once under the rule of an old alien civilization. Following a heroic protagonist driven by vengeance, you are tasked with defeating the realm’s formidable rulers, the 9 Sols.

Upon its PC launch earlier this year, Nine Sols was met with positive critical reception, garnering an 83 on Metacritic from 18 reviews. It’s even more noteworthy that despite the tendency for gamers to engage in review bombing, it shines with an 8.8 user score from 202 ratings.

Over on Steam, where you have to own a game to review it, Nine Sols has amassed over 14,000 reviews, culminating in an “overwhelmingly positive” rating. The word is out among both critics and players: this game is worth your time.

Nine Sols isn’t the only game drawing inspiration from FromSoftware that’s hit the PS5 this year. Another Crab’s Treasure also taps into this beloved genre in a more compact form. Meanwhile, Stellar Blade has gained popularity for its Soulslike elements as well.

However, the real success story in this category is Black Myth: Wukong. Brought to life by Chinese studio Game Science, it’s taken the gaming world by storm with over 20 million units sold since its launch in August and has even snagged a nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards.