Nine Sols May Contain a Hidden Game
▼ Summary
– Red Candle Games has hidden a new first-person horror game within Nine Sols, accessible through an ARG.
– Players can unlock the game by entering “shanhaiarchive” in the Betas tab of the game’s properties on Steam.
– The hidden game, titled “yuukimindscape,” involves saving a character named Yuuki and is a limited-time event.
– This game may spoil story elements of Nine Sols, so spoiler-averse players should be cautious.
– Nine Sols is currently 50% off on Steam until October 6th as part of autumn sales.
Players of the acclaimed Metroidvania title Nine Sols have uncovered a startling secret, a completely separate horror game hidden within its files. This discovery stems from an elaborate alternate reality game that developer Red Candle Games initiated last month, which strongly hinted at a return to the studio’s horror origins. Rather than just a simple easter egg, this has evolved into a fully playable, self-contained experience accessible to anyone who knows where to look.
Accessing this hidden game is surprisingly straightforward. Navigate to the Betas tab within the game’s properties on Steam and enter the code “shanhaiarchive” to initiate the download. Once installed, you can launch what is essentially a short, first-person horror adventure. The developers have named this beta branch “yuukimindscape,” and its primary objective involves rescuing a character named Yuuki. It is important to be aware that this appears to be a limited-time offering, so interested players should make time for it soon.
A word of caution for those who haven’t yet completed the main game: this hidden experience may contain spoilers for Nine Sols’ storyline. If you are sensitive to having narrative elements revealed prematurely, you might want to finish the core Metroidvania adventure before diving into this mysterious side story. We will avoid discussing specific plot details here to preserve the surprise for everyone.
The purpose behind this secret remains unclear. It could be a teaser for an upcoming project, such as a sequel or a spin-off, or simply a creative experiment. For many fans, this clever integration feels like a brilliant fusion of Red Candle Games’ current and past work. While Nine Sols marked a significant tonal shift from their earlier horror classics, Detention and Devotion, this hidden game demonstrates a masterful blending of their diverse talents.
Coinciding with this intriguing discovery, Nine Sols is currently available at a 50% discount on Steam as part of the platform’s autumn sale, which runs until October 6th. This presents a perfect opportunity for newcomers to not only enjoy the main game but also to investigate its mysterious hidden counterpart.
(Source: Rock Paper Shotgun)
