I absolutely love the bossfights in this game, at first you get demolished but once you learn the timings it's like a parry dance and you barely take any damage, its just so fun!
the map is already changed btw in a patch shortly after release. the chips now only unlock the ability to see what collectibles you're missing, you can see the details of the map when zooming in and your position in the room immediately. i think the reason the pavillion and ape man village look off is because they have a big screen with a fake background, which makes them not have a taopunk aesthetic. the pavillion has some technology stuff but it's supposed to look like a mansion in the countryside or something. i just think the artstyle doens't lend itself to that as well as the taopunk aesthetic.
Oh, thanks for the info about the map. That's good news. About the pavilion, yeah it makes sense. I'm not sure if it was a good decision tho. Personally, I like to take some time in the main safe house of a game and kinda explore it. It makes me feel calm. (I think Majula is peak in this matter) But in Nine sols, I can't wait to do what I came for and get out of the pavilion asap.
Highly doubt it. Not with FF7 and Stellar Blade on its tail. Another Zelda is on the way too and you know how they always collect all the awards. Also, the game's not polished. It has lots of basic problems that ruins the fun. You don't notice it firsthand, then it becomes so annoying. Case in point: lack of i-frame which is weird in 2024
@@OldSoulGames Indie games should win GOTY. I've actually stopped playing AAA for the past 5 years focusing solely on gems like these. I don't know why many others like you complained about the map. I honestly loved the exploring without map data concept, running into the mini bosses and dying haha. Although I agree that I would've liked a little bit more interactions/banters or "interruptions" from each Sol. They kinda just chilled in their boss rooms waiting for us to find them. All of them kinda underestimating Yi even though he was clearly the 2nd in command. My verdict was just based on the combat which I enjoyed to the fullest. Already played the game twice for full achievements.
@@OldSoulGames yea it definitely is, just wanted to say that though plus I love the pavilion it is so lovely 😭 and thank you for making the video and spreading word about the game 😁 Tbh I can understand how you feel cause this was like the first game I enjoyed like that in a while ☺️
8:40 Just the opposite from my experience, I'm playing on a terrible PC, and the game still loads in 5-10 seconds (which is normal for me), and plays very smoothly, much much smoother than hollow knight played.
I think it was kinda the point that the village and 4 seasons look different in terms of colour. They are meant to be 'safe' areas and stands out from all the rest. About the map, a really early patch was introduced allowing you to always see the details now. The map chip now only adds the amount of items and minibosses there are in that area. Though personally I kinda preferred not having the details and exploring everything that way. With the map used as a general indication where the connect paths are. But i get it that not everyone likes that. Last you say 10s loading time but in the video the load times are about 3s.
I don't know, I didn't like that color palette, and it really didn't feel that safe to me. but it's just my opinion. I understand others might actually enjoy it too. Yeah, I got used to the map system, it's not that bad anymore. I said up to 10s, as 10 seconds being the max number. It mostly happens when I enter big areas which wasn't the case in that part of the video. Someone said in the comments that this only happens with some specific types of GPUs and hardware, as he didn't have this problem, but knew someone else who had... Idk. It'll probably get fixed sooner or later anyway. Thanks for watching and sharing your opinion. (and reading this.)
I think the issue with rooms taking a long time to load is actually more of a hardware issue. I've talked to several people about it, and it seems to vary wildly with who's talking about it. Loading screens for me are only about 2-3 seconds, maybe 5 at most, even with a dying gpu. But I have met some people who say the loading screens take forever. It seems to be a mixed issue of older tech and specific brands, though I'm not really sure which exactly. Hopefully it's improved in the future. Great video btw!
Yes, that's possible. I'm not sure which game engine they used to develop it, but this happens with some of them. Let's hope they'll fix it soon. And thanks, I appreciate it.
Funny how there are people like me who don't struggle with navigation and exploration, even find ways to break some platforming, but struggle with fighting and can find lots of flaws in battle and progression design. Then there's people who don't have any problems in fight and easily overcome enemies, but have problems in finding their way around and see flaws in it. You can zoom in on any map without unlocking it, so I'm not sure what you're talking about. They're designed very similar to Hollow Knights, the only thing that's missing are markers, which for me aren't really needed when world is much smaller than HK's. But maybe they would be good addition, instead of just listing completion of area under the map. I turned the graphics to low, which helped to load everything much faster. New areas can still take up to 5-6 seconds to load, old areas transition in 1-2 secs - pretty smoothly. But I agree. Compared to my own critique towards difficulty progression, enemy exp and jin progression and a couple of minor flaws in later boss fights that seem like a rushed and skipped oversight, I wouldn't call color palette choices in Pavilion or Apeman village bad, but I'm not a graphics designer so who am I to argue. Overall, the fighting system is usually very unforgiving and all those minor flaws (even poor hitboxes in some cases) and progression mistakes made it less enjoyable for me than it could have been. There isn't any replayability property to Nine Sols right now: scenes, tutorials can't be skipped; no new game+. Someone in community designed a boss rush mod though. But I'm gonna wrap it up by saying that the game is still at least 7/10 if not 8, the story is very interesting, there's a whole Shanhai 9000 prequel comic, the storytelling is good. And the fight feel good (when you're not replaying them for over 20 times because of making minor mistake that broken your flow or you just get combo KO'd). Also, just wanna say that I don't agree with Katana Zero similarity that several people talked about. I don't see it at all. Just because both are fast paced games, it doesn't mean they're same genre and gameplay. I'd say Katana Zero's key mechanic is one hit death, just like in Hotline Mayami, learning level and enemy layout and "solving" it. I wish there were more good games with that mechanic. good vid
First of all, thanks for the comment and sharing you opinion, I really appreciate it. About the map, you can zoom in but there's no detail. It only shows an empty room and it won't even show your location approximately in the room. It just says you're in there. Which side? We don't know. I really love the fighting mechanics. I played Sekiro like a coward. I kept running away and dodging. Even against Isshin, I still didn't learn how to parry and to this day I don't remember how I managed to defeat him. But Nine Sols really twisted my arm to learn how to parry and counter. I don't know why but it feels right to me. I left the parrying sound-effects in the video for that purpose. The only problem with the fighting system, is the i-frame that I forgot to mention in the video. You take a hit and fall down, 0.0005 seconds later the i-frame is gone and you're vulnerable again. About Katana Zero, if I'm not mistaken, the Devs said it themselves that it was one of their inspirations. Maybe they were only referring to the part where Yanlao would try to snipe us. I don't know. Anyway, thanks for watching (and reading this.)
@@OldSoulGames Ah, I understand. Yeah, some markers would definitely help. I never actually played Sekiro, I'm more of Dark Souls guy, and even new Elden Ring with how much I heard about its combat system and read inputs critique doesn't interest me. My guess is that Nine Sols is easier than Sekiro, am I right? I-frames are almost non existent. At least you can parry without any cooldown, but does that balance it out?.... Aah, that makes sense. I really liked that segment, the fight mechanic of shooting the claw by his own shots is probably inspired too. Sadly it's one time thing. Man I want to play any similar Katana-Mayami game. I remember there was a cyberpunk furry 2d topdown game inspired by both of them, but I think it's still a demo.
@@OldSoulGames aaaand I can't it find on any "similar games" websites or using tags that describr because people keep comparing (or call inpired) Katana-Mayami to completely mechanically unrelated games 🤦🤦 that's why I'm frustrated I'll need to find a guy who on Yt showcased it to remind the name and read on progress Edit: Yay I found it on Alpha Beta gamer again. It's called "Kusan: City of Wolves". Apparently there was only a beta available, not even demo.
I want to say Nine Sols is easier, but tbh I'm not sure. Sekiro was the second Souls-like game I had played back then, (first one was Dark Souls 1) so I remember it being super hard for me, but maybe it was just skill issue. I have played many difficult games since then and learned to keep my cool in the fight. About similar games to Katana Zero, I'd suggest you to also check out Black Future 88. It's not one hit kill like KZ and it's a rogue-like, but the vibe always reminds me of that game. I don't know about Kusan's gameplay, but from what I saw, these two games look really alike visually.
@@OldSoulGames Kusan is more Hotline Mayami like. And gaah dam, with 90% sale, even for my country it's cheap, might as well check it out, I guess. Thanks for suggestion.
It's bizarre to me that criticizing a head of state can get a game removed. I'm in Canada and people are quite comfortable insulting Trudeau. Censorship is for pansies.
I absolutely love the bossfights in this game, at first you get demolished but once you learn the timings it's like a parry dance and you barely take any damage, its just so fun!
Exactly. And the parry sound-effect is music to my ears.
the map is already changed btw in a patch shortly after release. the chips now only unlock the ability to see what collectibles you're missing, you can see the details of the map when zooming in and your position in the room immediately.
i think the reason the pavillion and ape man village look off is because they have a big screen with a fake background, which makes them not have a taopunk aesthetic. the pavillion has some technology stuff but it's supposed to look like a mansion in the countryside or something. i just think the artstyle doens't lend itself to that as well as the taopunk aesthetic.
Oh, thanks for the info about the map. That's good news.
About the pavilion, yeah it makes sense. I'm not sure if it was a good decision tho. Personally, I like to take some time in the main safe house of a game and kinda explore it. It makes me feel calm. (I think Majula is peak in this matter) But in Nine sols, I can't wait to do what I came for and get out of the pavilion asap.
this actually might win GOTY
Highly doubt it. Not with FF7 and Stellar Blade on its tail. Another Zelda is on the way too and you know how they always collect all the awards.
Also, the game's not polished. It has lots of basic problems that ruins the fun. You don't notice it firsthand, then it becomes so annoying. Case in point: lack of i-frame which is weird in 2024
@@OldSoulGames Indie games should win GOTY. I've actually stopped playing AAA for the past 5 years focusing solely on gems like these. I don't know why many others like you complained about the map. I honestly loved the exploring without map data concept, running into the mini bosses and dying haha. Although I agree that I would've liked a little bit more interactions/banters or "interruptions" from each Sol. They kinda just chilled in their boss rooms waiting for us to find them. All of them kinda underestimating Yi even though he was clearly the 2nd in command. My verdict was just based on the combat which I enjoyed to the fullest. Already played the game twice for full achievements.
Good video!
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed.
The pavilion is different because it is made in sharp contrast to everything else. It is supposed to be colorful and welcoming 😊
It's a matter of different preferences then. Thanks for watching.
@@OldSoulGames yea it definitely is, just wanted to say that though plus I love the pavilion it is so lovely 😭 and thank you for making the video and spreading word about the game 😁 Tbh I can understand how you feel cause this was like the first game I enjoyed like that in a while ☺️
8:40 Just the opposite from my experience, I'm playing on a terrible PC, and the game still loads in 5-10 seconds (which is normal for me), and plays very smoothly, much much smoother than hollow knight played.
Yeah. as I've heard, only some specific graphics models have this problem. Thanks for watching.
I think it was kinda the point that the village and 4 seasons look different in terms of colour. They are meant to be 'safe' areas and stands out from all the rest.
About the map, a really early patch was introduced allowing you to always see the details now. The map chip now only adds the amount of items and minibosses there are in that area.
Though personally I kinda preferred not having the details and exploring everything that way. With the map used as a general indication where the connect paths are.
But i get it that not everyone likes that.
Last you say 10s loading time but in the video the load times are about 3s.
I don't know, I didn't like that color palette, and it really didn't feel that safe to me. but it's just my opinion. I understand others might actually enjoy it too.
Yeah, I got used to the map system, it's not that bad anymore.
I said up to 10s, as 10 seconds being the max number. It mostly happens when I enter big areas which wasn't the case in that part of the video. Someone said in the comments that this only happens with some specific types of GPUs and hardware, as he didn't have this problem, but knew someone else who had... Idk. It'll probably get fixed sooner or later anyway.
Thanks for watching and sharing your opinion. (and reading this.)
Nostalgic 😢
Tiny Toon? Yeah, it was amazing.
I think the issue with rooms taking a long time to load is actually more of a hardware issue. I've talked to several people about it, and it seems to vary wildly with who's talking about it. Loading screens for me are only about 2-3 seconds, maybe 5 at most, even with a dying gpu. But I have met some people who say the loading screens take forever.
It seems to be a mixed issue of older tech and specific brands, though I'm not really sure which exactly. Hopefully it's improved in the future.
Great video btw!
Yes, that's possible. I'm not sure which game engine they used to develop it, but this happens with some of them. Let's hope they'll fix it soon.
And thanks, I appreciate it.
@OldSoulGames I looked it up, the game runs on Unity. So I feel like it's a bit of both possibilities here. Here's to hoping!
And no problem!
Funny how there are people like me who don't struggle with navigation and exploration, even find ways to break some platforming, but struggle with fighting and can find lots of flaws in battle and progression design. Then there's people who don't have any problems in fight and easily overcome enemies, but have problems in finding their way around and see flaws in it.
You can zoom in on any map without unlocking it, so I'm not sure what you're talking about. They're designed very similar to Hollow Knights, the only thing that's missing are markers, which for me aren't really needed when world is much smaller than HK's. But maybe they would be good addition, instead of just listing completion of area under the map.
I turned the graphics to low, which helped to load everything much faster. New areas can still take up to 5-6 seconds to load, old areas transition in 1-2 secs - pretty smoothly. But I agree.
Compared to my own critique towards difficulty progression, enemy exp and jin progression and a couple of minor flaws in later boss fights that seem like a rushed and skipped oversight, I wouldn't call color palette choices in Pavilion or Apeman village bad, but I'm not a graphics designer so who am I to argue.
Overall, the fighting system is usually very unforgiving and all those minor flaws (even poor hitboxes in some cases) and progression mistakes made it less enjoyable for me than it could have been. There isn't any replayability property to Nine Sols right now: scenes, tutorials can't be skipped; no new game+. Someone in community designed a boss rush mod though.
But I'm gonna wrap it up by saying that the game is still at least 7/10 if not 8, the story is very interesting, there's a whole Shanhai 9000 prequel comic, the storytelling is good. And the fight feel good (when you're not replaying them for over 20 times because of making minor mistake that broken your flow or you just get combo KO'd).
Also, just wanna say that I don't agree with Katana Zero similarity that several people talked about. I don't see it at all. Just because both are fast paced games, it doesn't mean they're same genre and gameplay. I'd say Katana Zero's key mechanic is one hit death, just like in Hotline Mayami, learning level and enemy layout and "solving" it. I wish there were more good games with that mechanic.
good vid
First of all, thanks for the comment and sharing you opinion, I really appreciate it.
About the map, you can zoom in but there's no detail. It only shows an empty room and it won't even show your location approximately in the room. It just says you're in there. Which side? We don't know.
I really love the fighting mechanics. I played Sekiro like a coward. I kept running away and dodging. Even against Isshin, I still didn't learn how to parry and to this day I don't remember how I managed to defeat him. But Nine Sols really twisted my arm to learn how to parry and counter. I don't know why but it feels right to me. I left the parrying sound-effects in the video for that purpose.
The only problem with the fighting system, is the i-frame that I forgot to mention in the video. You take a hit and fall down, 0.0005 seconds later the i-frame is gone and you're vulnerable again.
About Katana Zero, if I'm not mistaken, the Devs said it themselves that it was one of their inspirations. Maybe they were only referring to the part where Yanlao would try to snipe us. I don't know.
Anyway, thanks for watching (and reading this.)
@@OldSoulGames Ah, I understand. Yeah, some markers would definitely help.
I never actually played Sekiro, I'm more of Dark Souls guy, and even new Elden Ring with how much I heard about its combat system and read inputs critique doesn't interest me.
My guess is that Nine Sols is easier than Sekiro, am I right?
I-frames are almost non existent. At least you can parry without any cooldown, but does that balance it out?....
Aah, that makes sense. I really liked that segment, the fight mechanic of shooting the claw by his own shots is probably inspired too. Sadly it's one time thing.
Man I want to play any similar Katana-Mayami game. I remember there was a cyberpunk furry 2d topdown game inspired by both of them, but I think it's still a demo.
@@OldSoulGames aaaand I can't it find on any "similar games" websites or using tags that describr because people keep comparing (or call inpired) Katana-Mayami to completely mechanically unrelated games 🤦🤦 that's why I'm frustrated
I'll need to find a guy who on Yt showcased it to remind the name and read on progress
Edit: Yay I found it on Alpha Beta gamer again. It's called "Kusan: City of Wolves". Apparently there was only a beta available, not even demo.
I want to say Nine Sols is easier, but tbh I'm not sure. Sekiro was the second Souls-like game I had played back then, (first one was Dark Souls 1) so I remember it being super hard for me, but maybe it was just skill issue. I have played many difficult games since then and learned to keep my cool in the fight.
About similar games to Katana Zero, I'd suggest you to also check out Black Future 88. It's not one hit kill like KZ and it's a rogue-like, but the vibe always reminds me of that game. I don't know about Kusan's gameplay, but from what I saw, these two games look really alike visually.
@@OldSoulGames Kusan is more Hotline Mayami like.
And gaah dam, with 90% sale, even for my country it's cheap, might as well check it out, I guess. Thanks for suggestion.
try the messenger too. might be a little more based on platforming than fighting, but still a pretty decent metroidvania
Oh, I love platforming as well. I'll check it out, thanks.
It's bizarre to me that criticizing a head of state can get a game removed. I'm in Canada and people are quite comfortable insulting Trudeau. Censorship is for pansies.
I'm from Iran so... No comment 💀💀
@@OldSoulGames The Shah will come back soon enough, freedom for the great Persian people ❤