Nine Sols Conceals a Secret First-Person Horror Game, Uncovered by ARG

In a surprising turn of events, Taiwanese developer Red Candle Games has hidden an entirely new game within its acclaimed 2D action-platformer, Nine Sols. Following a cryptic alternate reality game (ARG) that began in September 2025, players have discovered a short, first-person horror experience accessible through a beta branch on Steam.

pcgamer.com reported, This secret game marks a return to the studio's horror roots, reminiscent of their previous titles Detention and Devotion, and has ignited speculation about the future of the Nine Sols universe. The discovery was the culmination of an ARG that started with a YouTube video titled "Dark Legacy of the Sun Tribe," which led the community down a rabbit hole of clues before revealing the method to unlock the hidden content.

The hidden game, referred to by its beta branch name "yuukimindscape," is a stark departure from the main game's "Taopunk" aesthetic and Sekiro-inspired combat. Instead of the hand-drawn, 2D world of Nine Sols, players are immersed in a dark, 3D environment with realistic graphics, exploring a dungeon filled with traps like rolling death balls and crushing rooms.

rockpapershotgun.com noted, To access this secret, players who own Nine Sols on Steam must navigate to the game's properties, select the "Betas" tab, and enter the code "shanhaiarchive." This triggers a download for the new content, which the developers state tasks the player with saving a character named Yuuki.

While the experience is described as more creepy than outright horror, with no monsters present, it is a significant and unexpected addition that has captivated the game's community. Red Candle Games has noted that the event may be for a limited time and contains potential spoilers for the main story of Nine Sols.

wiki.gg reported, The purpose of this elaborate secret remains unclear, with theories ranging from a simple, creative Easter egg to a teaser for a future sequel or spin-off project. The hidden game's narrative elements connect to the lore of Nine Sols, particularly the concept of the "Soulscape," a virtual reality designed to help the game's Solarian race find a cure for a plague.

This move is seen by many as a clever use of the studio's established skills in the horror genre, which they had moved away from with the action-focused Nine Sols. The ARG and its payoff have successfully re-engaged the player base, with the mystery further amplified by a concurrent 50% off sale on Steam, encouraging new players to join the investigation.

pcgamer.com noted, Whether this is a standalone curiosity or the first step toward a new chapter in the Nine Sols saga, Red Candle Games has once again demonstrated its penchant for intricate storytelling and community engagement.

• Background on Red Candle Games: Founded in 2015 in Taipei, Taiwan, Red Candle Games is an independent studio that gained international acclaim for its atmospheric horror games. Their first two titles, Detention (2017) and Devotion (2019), were celebrated for blending psychological horror with Taiwanese culture, history, and mythology.
• Nine Sols, released in May 2024, represented a significant departure, shifting from horror to a 2D action-platformer with a unique "Taopunk" (Taoism plus cyberpunk) setting. This hidden horror game marks a return to the genre that first defined the studio.
• The Alternate Reality Game (ARG): The discovery was not accidental but the result of a deliberate ARG launched by the developers. It began on September 10, 2025, with a cryptic video on the game's YouTube channel called "Dark Legacy of the Sun Tribe."
• This video, styled like an SCP Foundation entry, hinted at lore connecting to the game's four-fingered characters and an ancient city named Penglai—the home planet of the Solarians in Nine Sols. This trail of clues engaged the community and ultimately led to the revelation of the hidden game.
• How to Access the Secret Game: For players who own Nine Sols on Steam, accessing the hidden content is straightforward. Users must right-click the game in their Steam Library, open "Properties," go to the "Betas" tab, and enter the password "shanhaiarchive."
• This will initiate a download for the beta branch titled "yuukimindscape." The developers have warned that this is a limited-time event and that it may contain spoilers for the main game's plot.
• Details of the Hidden Game: The secret game is a short, first-person horror experience that contrasts sharply with Nine Sols' 2D, stylized art. Players navigate a dark, dungeon-like environment with more realistic graphics, facing environmental traps rather than enemies.
• Though it is set within the Nine Sols universe, the player character appears to be a regular human, not one of the game's anthropomorphic "apemen." The experience concludes with the reveal that the events were a simulation, leaving its canonical meaning open to interpretation.
• What is "Taopunk"?: Nine Sols is set in a world described by its creators as "Taopunk." This is a unique aesthetic that blends traditional Taoist philosophy and Eastern mythology with futuristic cyberpunk elements.
• The game's narrative explores a forsaken realm ruled by nine powerful beings known as the Sols, where the hero, Yi, seeks revenge. This setting combines ancient gods, sacred rituals, and alien races with advanced technology, creating a rich and distinct science-fantasy universe.
• Implications and Speculation: The community is buzzing with theories about the meaning behind the hidden game. While some believe it's an elaborate and fun Easter egg for dedicated fans, others speculate it could be a teaser for a new project, such as a sequel, a spin-off, or DLC.
• The return to the horror genre, where Red Candle Games first made its name, is seen as a significant move, potentially signaling a future project that merges the action of Nine Sols with the atmospheric dread of Detention and Devotion.
• Combat and Gameplay of Nine Sols: The main game, Nine Sols, is a 2D action-platformer praised for its challenging combat system. The gameplay was heavily inspired by titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, with a strong emphasis on deflecting enemy attacks.
• Mastering the parry mechanic is crucial, as it allows the player to build up "Qi" to unleash powerful talisman attacks that can devastate foes. This focus on precise, defense-oriented combat is a core pillar of the game's design.
• Community and Reception: Since its release in May 2024, Nine Sols has garnered critical acclaim and a passionate community. The game has won several awards, including the Indie Game Award for Best Narrative.
• The intricate lore and challenging gameplay have inspired fan artists, theorists, and speedrunners. This ARG and the hidden game have further galvanized the community, demonstrating Red Candle Games' ability to engage its audience through creative, interactive experiences beyond the initial release.