Nine Sols: A Unique Taopunk Souls-like Platformer

Nine Sols, a 2D souls-like platformer from Red Candle Games, is poised for release on Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles. Producer Shihwei Yang recently highlighted the game's distinctive features, setting it apart from other titles in the genre.

A Fusion of Eastern Philosophy and Cyberpunk Aesthetics ("Taopunk")

Yang emphasizes Nine Sols' foundation in "Taopunk," a unique blend of Eastern philosophies, particularly Taoism, and cyberpunk aesthetics. The game's visual style draws heavily from 80s and 90s anime and manga like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, incorporating futuristic technology, vibrant cityscapes, neon lighting, and a compelling human-technology symbiosis. This aesthetic extends to the audio design, which fuses traditional Eastern instrumentation with modern sounds to create a distinctive soundscape.

Innovative Deflection-Based Combat

Initially inspired by titles like Hollow Knight, Nine Sols' development shifted towards a unique combat system. Instead of mirroring aggressive counter-attack mechanics seen in other games, the team integrated the calm intensity of Taoist philosophy. This resulted in a deflection-heavy system that rewards players for parrying attacks and maintaining balance. Implementing this mechanic in a 2D context presented significant challenges, requiring numerous iterations to perfect.

The development process organically shaped the narrative, incorporating themes of nature versus technology, and the meaning of life and death. The game's unique identity emerged organically from this creative process.

Nine Sols' compelling combination of gameplay, art style, and narrative promises a truly unique experience in the souls-like platformer genre.