Sekiro + Hollow Knight = Nine Sols Banger ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

There are few games whose combat satisfied me as much as Nine Sols did. The satisfaction I felt when I was able to completely parry everything the final boss threw at me was better than sex. Play this game.

Incredible game. Draws clear inspiration from Sekiro & metroidvanias like Hollow Knight, but sets itself apart with its own unique story, style, and gameplay mechanics.

The metroidvania elements are kind of minimal, but exploration is still fun and engaging and the level design, while linear, is really great.

The boss design is where the game really shines. A few of the bosses are a big spike in difficulty (particularly the final boss) but on the whole I found the bosses to be phenomenal; challenging but very satisfying to learn and overcome.

The game also has a beautiful art style, very compelling characters and an emotionally impactful narrative told through cutscenes and dialogue. This is honestly a breath of fresh air for the souls-like genre, where you typically play a mute character piecing together lore from item descriptions.

I'd recommend the game to anyone who enjoyed Sekiro, but if you're looking for an exploration-focussed metroidvania like Hollow Knight, just be aware this game might not really scratch that itch.