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 launch on Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles! Producer Shihwei Yang recently highlighted the game's unique features, setting it apart from the crowded souls-like genre.

Nine Sols: A Fusion of Eastern Philosophy and Cyberpunk Aesthetics

"Taopunk" – Where East Meets Sci-Fi Grit

Ahead of next month's console release, Yang discussed Nine Sols' innovative blend of Eastern philosophy (specifically Taoism) and cyberpunk aesthetics, which they term "Taopunk." This influences every aspect, from gameplay and visuals to narrative.

The game's striking visual style draws inspiration from iconic 80s and 90s anime and manga, such as Akira and Ghost in the Shell. Yang explains, "As fans of classic Japanese anime and manga, Akira and Ghost in the Shell heavily influenced our art. We blended futuristic tech with a nostalgic yet fresh artistic flair."

This aesthetic extends to the audio design, incorporating traditional Eastern musical elements with modern instrumentation. Yang notes, "We fused traditional Eastern sounds with modern instruments for a unique soundscape. This creates an atmosphere that's both ancient and futuristic."

Beyond the captivating audio-visuals, Nine Sols' combat system truly showcases its "Taopunk" identity. Yang describes the development process: "We initially drew inspiration from titles like Hollow Knight, but it didn't quite fit Nine Sols' tone. We wanted to avoid simply following other platformers."

The team ultimately found their direction by focusing on the core game concepts and incorporating Sekiro's deflection system. However, instead of aggressive countering, they emphasized the quiet intensity and balance inherent in Taoist philosophy. This resulted in a combat system that "rewards players for deflecting attacks and maintaining balance," a unique approach in 2D platformers. Yang admits, "It was a challenging mechanic to implement in 2D, requiring many iterations."

This innovative combat system, along with the compelling story exploring themes of nature versus technology and the meaning of life and death, creates a truly unique experience. Yang reflects, "It felt like Nine Sols was forging its own path, and we were simply guiding it."

Nine Sols' captivating art, intriguing narrative, and innovative gameplay mechanics have left a strong impression. For a deeper dive into our thoughts, check out our full review (link below)!