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, differentiating it from other titles in the genre.
Nine Sols' Distinctive Art and Combat System
A Fusion of Eastern Philosophy and Cyberpunk Aesthetics ("Taopunk")
Ahead of next month's console release, Yang discussed the game's innovative approach. Nine Sols' gameplay, visuals, and narrative are rooted in "Taopunk"—a captivating blend of Eastern philosophies, particularly Taoism, and the gritty cyberpunk aesthetic.
The game's visual style draws inspiration from iconic 80s and 90s anime and manga, such as Akira and Ghost in the Shell. These influential works, with their futuristic cities, neon-drenched landscapes, and the fusion of humanity and technology, profoundly shaped Nine Sols' artistic direction. Yang stated, "As fans of '80s and '90s Japanese anime and manga, cyberpunk classics like 'Akira' and 'Ghost in the Shell' were crucial to our art design. They heavily influenced Nine Sols', blending futuristic technology with a nostalgic yet fresh artistic style."
This artistic vision extends to the game's audio design, with a soundtrack that expertly fuses traditional Eastern musical elements and modern instrumentation. Yang explained, "We aimed for a distinctive soundscape, combining traditional Eastern sounds with modern instruments. This creates a unique identity, grounding the atmosphere in ancient roots while simultaneously projecting a futuristic feel."
Beyond its striking audio-visual presentation, Nine Sols' combat system truly embodies its "Taopunk" identity. Yang described the development process: "We found a rhythm, creating environments reflecting Taoist philosophy while embracing cyberpunk's raw energy. But just as we thought we could relax, a new challenge emerged: gameplay. Designing the combat system was incredibly difficult."
Initially, the team looked to classic indie titles like Hollow Knight for inspiration, but this proved unsuitable for Nine Sols' unique tone. They consciously avoided mimicking other successful platformers, aiming for a distinct experience. Yang revealed, "We returned to the core game concepts to find a new direction. We discovered Sekiro's deflection system, which resonated deeply with us."
Instead of aggressive, counter-attack focused combat, Nine Sols embraces the quiet intensity and focus of Taoist philosophy. The resulting combat system utilizes an opponent's strength against them, rewarding players for skillful deflection and maintaining balance. Yang acknowledged the challenges: "It's a rarely explored mechanic in 2D, requiring countless iterations to perfect. After much trial and error, it finally clicked."
The refined gameplay, combined with the captivating visuals and story, creates a truly unique experience. The narrative organically incorporates themes of nature versus technology, and the meaning of life and death, further enriching the "Taopunk" world. Yang concluded, "It felt like Nine Sols was forging its own path, and we were simply guiding it as it found its voice."
