Nine Sols' “Taopunk” Identity Sets it Apart From Other Souls-Like Platformers

Red Candle Games' upcoming 2D souls-like platformer, Nine Sols, is poised to hit Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles shortly! Ahead of the console launch, producer Shihwei Yang highlighted the game's unique qualities.

Nine Sols' Distinctive Art and Combat: A Standout Success

Inspired by Eastern Philosophy and Cyberpunk Grit

In a recent interview leading up to next month's console release, co-founder and producer Shihwei Yang discussed what differentiates Nine Sols from other 2024 releases. The game's distinct gameplay, visuals, and narrative are rooted in its "Taopunk" aesthetic – a fusion of Eastern philosophies, particularly Taoism, and cyberpunk elements.

The game's visual style draws heavily from 80s and 90s anime and manga, such as Akira and Ghost in the Shell. Yang explained, "As fans of '80s and '90s Japanese anime and manga, cyberpunk classics like 'Akira' and 'Ghost in the Shell' were major influences. They shaped Nine Sols' visual style, blending futuristic technology with a nostalgic yet fresh artistic flair."

This artistic vision extends to the audio design, with a soundtrack that blends traditional Eastern instrumentation and modern sounds. Yang stated, "We aimed for a distinctive soundscape, fusing traditional Eastern sounds with modern instruments. This creates a unique identity, grounding the atmosphere in ancient roots while remaining futuristic."

Beyond the compelling audio-visual presentation of its Taopunk world, Nine Sols' combat system is where the unique blend truly shines. Yang described the development process: "We felt we'd found our rhythm, creating settings that resonated with Taoist philosophy and cyberpunk energy. But then, the gameplay presented a major challenge."

Initially, the team looked to classic indie titles like Hollow Knight for inspiration, but Yang noted, "It quickly became clear that it didn't fit Nine Sols' tone." They deviated from typical platformer conventions, aiming for a deflection-focused 2D action game. "We found a new direction by returning to the core concepts. We discovered Sekiro's deflection system, which resonated strongly," Yang revealed.

Instead of aggressive, counter-based combat, Nine Sols emphasizes the quiet intensity and focus of Taoist philosophy, creating a system that "uses an opponent’s strength against them," rewarding players for deflecting attacks and maintaining balance. Yang admitted, "This deflection-heavy style was challenging in 2D, requiring numerous iterations. But after much trial and error, it all came together."

"As the pieces fell into place, the narrative amplified. Themes of nature versus technology, and the meaning of life and death emerged organically," Yang added. "It felt like Nine Sols was forging its own path, and we were simply guiding it."

Nine Sols' compelling gameplay, captivating art, and intriguing story have created a truly remarkable experience. For a deeper dive into our impressions, check out our full review (link below)!