Best Metroidvania since Hollow Knight came from the least likely developer

Nine Sols It should not be present. It is the work of Red Candle, a small Taiwanese studio that had previously achieved horror games that depend on the story, one of which was banned from selling for two years due to political controversy. Most studios will be folded at that point. Instead, Red Candle has made a game in a type that had no experience, and somehow created the combat metroidvania since Holo Fares. As we approached its first anniversary, I spoke to Shihwei (Vincent) Yang, Nine Sols’ and Creative Manager, to discover how this miracle occurred.

I do not use excessive excess when I compare Nine Sols To Farva Faris: It is our evidence to The best metroidvanias For a good reason. The combat system is severe, focusing on the Sikiro-focus on the experience and parishes with experience. Although Nine Sols preparation for New Kunlun is smaller than Hallownest, it is beautifully realized and full of personality. The story that reveals there is more dependent on the character, convincing, and concept frankly than anything that came before in Metroidvania or Soulslike species.

The two previous studio matches, detention and dedication are narrative adventures without almost any mechanical challenge-as much as you can get it from Metroidvania that focuses on fighting. “We have spent years in drafting rich and narrated experiences,” Yang recalls. “The shift to a title focuses on play will not only renew our creative spirit, but also helps us reach a broader international audience.”

The fighting system is not the only departure of red candle. Detention is a horror of clicking and the click of the era of “white terror” from martial law and the suppression of the state in the 1960s. Sincerity is a slow, sad and frightening story based on the defects of the family and the Taiwanese culture in the 1980s. Compare this with nine SOLS, and its vibrant science fiction preparation and a clean two -dimensional artistic style called “TaoPunk”.

“We wanted to use work and involve the fighting as a global language – transcending cultural and linguistic borders,” Yang explains. This resulted in: “Nine SOLS soon became our best -selling studio,” as he told me. “Words cannot describe the extent of our happiness and our satisfaction now.” Nine SOLS has attracted more than 20,000 very positive reviews on Steam, and since then they have been transferred to keyboards. “It was a real blessing to see our game echo with players in all fields.”

Although the decision to take a game in a more popular type certainly has commercial benefits, it also enabled a red candle to tell the international masses with a story related to Taiwanese culture such as detention and dedication. “Nine Sols may appear as a scientific, scientific adventure on the surface, but it is still deeply rooted in the cultural identity, the artistic traditions of Taiwan and the wider oriental myths,” says Yang.

Take the legend of Hou Yi, the Archer who saved the land from the burning rays of nine terrible classes, before he goes to different fate in different materials from his myths.- “His legendary story about courage and sacrifice works as a basis for our narration, and offers a modern touch to an immortal story,” says Yang, a news of me. In most genealogy, I would have an excuse that the narration is an incomprehensible chaos of hints and hints. This is simply not the case in nine Sols. It makes her story significantly clear.

“We are close to the narration in the layers: the main story is presented in a clearly accessible way, ensuring that players always understand what is at stake while providing additional and environmental details deeper and hidden secrets for those who want to explore more,” says Yang. “The clarity balance with mystery was one of our largest creative gambling.”

This story is implemented by a group of attractive and attractive allies, and you only open the real end once their side stories are exhausted. “Unlike the typical heroes who resemble lives – they are often silent or emotionally far – our characters are publicly shared in their inner lives,” says Yang. “This approach not only makes the narration easier, but also deepens the player’s connection to the story,” he added.

The Nine Sols’ Core Revenge plot is a loss, regret, and an agitation that is wondering about the value of survival and the virtue of giving up. They are familiar Games like soulsBut here it was explored by the personal drama, not just the descriptions of the elements.

The story of nine Sols is Tao, a philosophical and religious tradition in the real world that emphasizes the existence of harmonious with the world. “The Taois aim in nine colors to capture the spirit of Taoism instead of as an ideological lesson,” says Yang.

The issue of how we are linked to the endless universe that ends in all types of science fiction methods, from Khaled Mighi, to a mosque that appreciates cultural artifacts on a deadly life, to a common virtual reality with a evil secret. Taoism is also part of the preparation – the history of the world owes a lot of a character called Lier, and it is a direct indication of Lawzi, the founder of Taoism.

“Through Lear and other characters, we explore topics such as life and death, progress against the natural system, and the tension between human ambition and going with the TAO flow,” Yang “explains many of the decisions of the characters and arches in intent to stir think and invite the players to form what Taoism means to them.”

Taoism until its way to fight. “We have targeted a combat system that encouraged a more negative and thoughtful playing way – an echo with the idea of ​​Taoism on Wu Wei.” Wu Wei is a bit of mysterious concept, which Chinese philosophers use in several different ways skill over many centuries. It translates into “work without trouble”: acting in harmony with your circumstances, and not with a reckless effort.

“For more than a year, we struggled to overcome a basic combat episode that I felt satisfied and realistic for this concept. Then we found inspiration in fighting mechanics in Sicero and adapting these principles to our two -dimensional world.” From there, Yang tells me everything “fell in his place – as if Tao was directing our creative operation.

“In the end, we achieved a combat rhythm where patience and completely timed anti -attacks are just objective; it’s an integral part of play,” says Yang. “It looks like a graceful dance, as each step is defined by patience and perfect timing.”

It is not overlooked. The Nine Sols Coach has made the best balance between the challenge and the satisfaction she has faced in Soulslike since Sekiro Sword Saint Isshin. Over the three hours, it took me to learn and overcome the battle, I found myself pressing the buttons less and less on the console, focusing less on the attack or movement and more on the exact performance of the right movements in time. Getting good means embracing the work effortlessly.

In the end, all characters in the Nine Sols story struggle against fate. Some accept their fate, while others continue their struggle for corruption, worst and worst, and some succeed. Ask Yang about the place where he feels that the line is between a virtuous struggle, and one to no avail. “You will notice that our characters adopt completely different philosophies from the struggle and destiny,” Yang says. ” It is far -reaching like the question, what is the purpose of life? ”

The red candle is familiar with the struggle against the enormous difficulties. “There were definitely times when external pressure and unexpected obstacles – especially during the dedication period – were detained,” Yang admits. “We have faced moments of uncertainty that made the future feel very fragile.”

While Yang is clearly power, I feel it reduces its job. The 2019 launch version of sincerity included some small environmental details with the text that mocks Chinese President Xi Jinping. The reverse reaction was immediate, and although the dedication corrected the violating items and apologies, the damage occurred. The publishers of the dedication cut ties and left the red candle responsible for the losses. The game was not operating for two years, and the only place to buy today’s version is the company’s website. It is a kind of disorder that would destroy most studios.

Despite its success in the past, the decision to move from a possible disaster to a completely new type of game does not always seem the right choice. “There were moments when the challenge of building a complex skill -based fighting system was hard,” Yang admits. It is attributed to “fixed support from our society” and the team’s commitment to their vision to see them through.

This date of hardship was definitely formed nine Sols. Yang says that the game not only invites players to think “about when to continue or surrender – the universe never guarantees the results.” Instead, “we suggest that even in failure there is value.” The fact that something can fail and still is exceptional, particularly explicit in the current video game market, as the game is often the quality of the game, its commercial success, and the fate of the people who make it unrelated. But, as Yang says, we cannot think about life in terms of success and failure: “In a world determined by uncertainty and chaos, the real challenge lies in discovering what gives our lives a meaning and helps us feel” life “really”.

If you don’t have already played nine SOLS, get it. It is free for Microsoft Game Pass subscribers. It will cause you, joy for you, break your heart. Even if you are the most hard -line players, there are moments when you thwart the battles of the diamond coach. But it will definitely make you feel life.