9 Days (2024) - Is This Time-Limited RPG Worth It?

9 Days presents a unique challenge: explore a vast open world, acquire skills, and prepare for a final battle, all within a strict 9-day time limit. With its intriguing concept and action-adventure gameplay, the game has garnered attention on Steam. Is this time-sensitive RPG worth your time? We dive into the gameplay, performance, and overall value to help you decide if you should spend 9 days in this world.

9 Days Steam Review: Is the 9-Day Time Limit Fun?

What is 9 Days All About?

In 9 Days, you're tasked with exploring a vibrant open world to gather the skills and items necessary to confront Afran, who determines the fate of the world. The core mechanic revolves around strategic time management. Players must carefully choose where they go and what activities they undertake, as every action consumes precious in-game time. This creates a sense of urgency and encourages players to optimize their exploration and combat strategies. The game primarily targets players who enjoy action RPGs with a focus on open-world exploration, character progression, and challenging combat encounters. The 9 days gameplay mechanic will test even the most strategic gamers.

Performance and Value: Does 9 Days Deliver?

9 Days offers a solid experience for its price point of 14,79€. The game's minimum PC requirements are relatively accessible, with a GTX 970 or RX 480 being sufficient for decent performance. However, some players may experience occasional frame rate dips, particularly in graphically intensive areas. While the game is only available on Windows, the controller support is full. Considering its unique gameplay loop and engaging combat system, 9 Days offers good value for players seeking a challenging and rewarding RPG experience. It's a compelling option for gamers looking for something different from typical open-world adventures and want to test their strategic prowess within a time-constrained environment. Compared to similar RPGs, 9 Days stands out with its unique time mechanic.

Community and Longevity of 9 Days

While 9 Days is a single-player experience, the game has built a small community centered around its challenging gameplay and time-limited mechanics. While there are no mods available, the game has Steam Achievements. Given the absence of DLC or ongoing content updates, the game's longevity relies on its replayability and the enjoyment players derive from mastering its combat system and optimizing their playthroughs. While the game offers limited social features, the challenging gameplay and unique mechanics create opportunities for players to engage in discussions, share strategies, and compare their experiences online.

Final Verdict: Should You Embark on This 9-Day Adventure?

If you're looking for a unique and challenging action RPG with a focus on time management, 9 Days is definitely worth considering. The game's engaging combat system, vast open world, and strategic gameplay provide a rewarding experience for players who enjoy optimizing their playthroughs and mastering complex mechanics. However, if you prefer open-world games with extensive storylines or like playing a game for 9 days in hours, the time-limited mechanic may feel restrictive. Despite its lack of social features and ongoing content updates, 9 Days delivers a solid and memorable experience for players seeking a fresh take on the action RPG genre.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

  • Unique 9-day time limit mechanic adds strategic depth
  • Engaging combat system with Ki Attacks, Dodges, and Melee Strikes
  • Vast open world to explore with hidden skills and items
  • Accessible minimum PC requirements
  • Affordable price point for the content offered

❌ Cons

  • Time limit might be stressful for some players
  • Only available on Windows
  • No multiplayer or social features
  • Lacks extensive storyline or character development
  • No DLC or ongoing content updates planned
Buy the game on: Steam GOG