Nine Sols' "Taopunk" Edge Dominates the Souls-Like Realm

Red Candle Games' upcoming 2D souls-like platformer, Nine Sols, is poised to hit Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles soon! Producer Shihwei Yang recently highlighted the game's unique qualities, setting it apart from other titles in the genre.

Nine Sols: A Fusion of Eastern Philosophy and Cyberpunk Aesthetics

"Taopunk": Where East Meets Gritty Futurism

In a recent interview ahead of next month's console launch, Shihwei Yang discussed Nine Sols' distinctive identity, born from a blend of Eastern philosophy (particularly Taoism) and cyberpunk aesthetics—a concept they term "Taopunk."

The game's visual style draws heavily from iconic 80s and 90s anime and manga like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, capturing the essence of futuristic cityscapes, neon lights, and the intricate relationship between humanity and technology. Yang explained, "Our love for '80s and '90s Japanese anime and manga, specifically cyberpunk classics like 'Akira' and 'Ghost in the Shell,' heavily influenced Nine Sols' art direction. We aimed for a visual style that blends futuristic technology with a nostalgic yet fresh artistic flair."

This artistic vision extends to the game's audio design, incorporating traditional Eastern musical elements with modern instrumentation to create a unique soundscape. Yang stated, "We wanted a distinctive soundscape, so we fused traditional Eastern sounds with modern instruments. This creates an atmosphere that's both grounded in ancient traditions and futuristic."

Beyond its striking visuals and audio, Nine Sols' innovative combat system truly showcases its "Taopunk" identity. Yang described the development process: "We initially drew inspiration from games like Hollow Knight, but it didn't quite fit Nine Sols' tone. We knew we wanted to avoid simply following other great platformers. The turning point came when we discovered Sekiro's deflection system, which resonated deeply with our vision."

Instead of focusing on aggressive counter-attacks, Nine Sols' combat emphasizes the quiet intensity and mindful balance inherent in Taoist philosophy, rewarding players for deflecting attacks and maintaining composure. This "deflection-heavy" approach presented unique challenges in a 2D context, requiring numerous iterations to perfect. Yang commented, "It's a rarely explored mechanic in 2D, and it took countless iterations to get right."

This unique combat system, coupled with the overarching narrative exploring themes of nature versus technology and the meaning of life and death, helped shape Nine Sols' distinct identity. The game's compelling gameplay, captivating art, and thought-provoking story have left a lasting impression. For a more in-depth look, check out our full review!