Nine Sols: Embracing Taopunk for a Unique Souls-Like Experience

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 identity.

Nine Sols: A Fusion of Eastern Philosophy and Cyberpunk Aesthetics

"Taopunk" – Where East Meets Gritty Future

In a recent interview leading up to next month's console release, Shihwei Yang explained Nine Sols' distinctive approach. The game's core identity, "Taopunk," masterfully blends Eastern philosophies, particularly Taoism, with the visual style of cyberpunk.

The game's striking visuals draw inspiration from iconic 80s and 90s anime and manga like Akira and Ghost in the Shell. This influence is evident in the futuristic cityscapes, neon-drenched environments, and the seamless integration of technology and humanity. "Our love for classic Japanese anime and manga, especially cyberpunk masterpieces like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, heavily shaped Nine Sols' visual development," Yang shared. "We aimed for a visual style that's both nostalgic and innovative, blending futuristic technology with artistic flair."

This artistic vision extends to the audio design, with a soundtrack that fuses traditional Eastern musical elements with modern instrumentation. "We sought a unique soundscape," Yang explained, "so we combined traditional Eastern sounds with modern instruments to create a truly distinctive atmosphere. This blend anchors Nine Sols in ancient roots while simultaneously projecting a futuristic feel."

Beyond its captivating visuals and sounds, Nine Sols' combat system is where the "Taopunk" identity truly shines. Yang described the development process as challenging: "We found a rhythm, creating settings reflecting Taoist philosophy and the raw energy of cyberpunk. But just as we thought we could relax," he continued, "a new challenge emerged: gameplay. Designing the combat system proved incredibly difficult."

Initially, the team looked to classic indie titles like Hollow Knight for inspiration, but this approach didn't quite fit Nine Sols' overall tone. They consciously avoided mimicking other platformers, aiming for a unique experience. "We returned to the game's core concepts for a fresh direction. We discovered Sekiro's deflection system, and it resonated deeply with us," Yang revealed.

Instead of aggressive, counter-attack focused combat, Nine Sols embraces the quiet intensity of Taoist philosophy. The result is a combat system that utilizes an opponent's strength against them, rewarding skillful deflection and balance. Developing this deflection-heavy system in a 2D environment presented significant challenges. "It's a rarely explored mechanic in 2D," Yang admitted, "and it took countless iterations to perfect. But after much trial and error, it finally clicked."

This refined combat system, coupled with the game's overarching narrative exploring themes of nature versus technology and the meaning of life and death, organically shaped the story. "Nine Sols felt like it was forging its own path, and we were simply guiding it as it found its voice," Yang concluded.

Nine Sols' compelling blend of gameplay, captivating visuals, and a thought-provoking narrative is undeniably impressive. For a deeper dive into our impressions, check out our full review (link below)!