Remember the cryptic hints dropped last month by Red Candle Games, the creators of Nine Sols? They teased… something… that appeared connected to their Metroidvania title. This “something” leaned heavily into the studio’s horror roots, and it has now evolved into a full-blown Alternate Reality Game (ARG). I won’t delve into every twist and turn of the ARG’s narrative, but it has culminated in a surprising discovery: Red Candle Games has secretly embedded an entirely new, hidden game within Nine Sols!
Gaining access to this hidden game isn’t especially difficult. First, ensure you have Nine Sols properly installed. Next, navigate to the “Betas” section within the game’s properties menu. Simply enter the code “shanhaiarchive,” and a download will commence, granting you access to what is essentially a separate, self-contained, and relatively brief first-person horror experience. The developers indicate that this hidden game involves rescuing someone named Yuuki; the beta branch is even labeled “yuukimindscape.” Keep in mind that this intriguing offering appears to be a limited-time event, so if you’re intrigued, you might want to schedule some time to explore it soon.
It’s also important to be aware that playing this “game-within-a-game” might reveal some narrative elements of Nine Sols. So, if your curiosity is piqued but you haven’t yet experienced the original game, consider this if you’re particularly sensitive to spoilers. I’ll avoid disclosing any details here to preserve your experience as much as possible.
Whether this hidden game points toward a larger project, such as a sequel or a related spin-off, remains unclear, but it’s definitely captivating. Nine Sols represented a notable shift in tone for Red Candle Games, as their earlier critically acclaimed titles, Detention and Devotion, were deeply entrenched in the horror genre. This recent development showcases a clever and unexpected application of their diverse skills.
In other news, Nine Sols is currently available at 50% off on Steam until October 6th as part of their Autumn Sale, making it an ideal moment to join in on the unfolding mystery.