The PlayStation 5 has seen its fair share of Game of the Year contenders, with titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Astro Bot, and Black Myth: Wukong often leading the conversation. Indie gems like Balatro and Animal Well have also garnered attention, alongside anticipated releases such as Tekken 8, Silent Hill 2, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. However, one game released earlier this year, Nine Sols, is gaining traction as a potential GOTY contender, sparking discussion amongst PlayStation fans on Reddit.
Nine Sols, a challenging 2D action platformer with a distinct Taopunk aesthetic, launched on PS5 and PS4 in late November 2023 after an initial PC release in May. While its Metacritic score of 86 is respectable, it falls slightly short of typical GOTY territory. However, user reviews on platforms like Steam and the PlayStation Store paint a different picture, with overwhelmingly positive feedback and several players touting its GOTY potential.
One popular Reddit post proclaims, “Don’t sleep on Nine Sols – possible GOTY.” The author praises the game’s storytelling and lore, comparing its exploration of Taoist themes to Sekiro’s handling of Buddhist themes and Bloodborne’s rich history. They acknowledge the game’s difficulty, describing it as “harder than Sekiro,” but highlight the inclusion of a difficulty slider that allows players to focus on the narrative if desired.
The post’s popularity and the numerous comments echoing its sentiment suggest Nine Sols offers a compelling experience. One commenter, having invested 30 hours into the game, describes it as “incredible” and recommends it to fans of parry-based combat. They emphasize the satisfaction of mastering the mechanics, while acknowledging the challenging nature of some boss encounters.
The demanding gameplay is a recurring theme in the comments. Another player, familiar with FromSoftware titles and Hollow Knight, expresses surprise at the difficulty of Nine Sols‘s first major boss. They caution potential players about the game’s legitimate challenge while praising its beautiful design and smooth gameplay.
Nine Sols is not currently available on PlayStation Plus and requires a purchase at $29.99. Players can expect a playtime of 20-30 hours, depending on skill level and completionist tendencies.
In conclusion, while Nine Sols may not be on everyone’s radar, the enthusiastic player response and praise for its unique blend of challenging combat, captivating lore, and striking visuals position it as a dark horse in the PS5 Game of the Year conversation. Its demanding gameplay might not appeal to all, but for those seeking a rewarding and engaging experience, Nine Sols is certainly worth considering.
