Nine Sols: A Unique Souls-Like with "Taopunk" Flair

Nine Sols: A Taopunk Souls-like Platformer That Defies Expectations

Nine Sols, a 2D souls-like platformer developed by Red Candle Games, is poised for release on Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles. Producer Shihwei Yang recently shed light on what distinguishes this title from its contemporaries.

A Unique Blend of East and West: Taopunk Aesthetics

Nine Sols' unique identity stems from its "Taopunk" aesthetic, a fusion of Eastern philosophy (particularly Taoism) and cyberpunk visuals. Inspired by classic 80s and 90s anime like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, the game's art style blends futuristic technology with a nostalgic, yet innovative, visual flair. This influence extends to the audio design, which seamlessly integrates traditional Eastern instrumentation with modern sounds, creating a unique and immersive soundscape.

Initially inspired by titles like Hollow Knight, Nine Sols' gameplay evolved significantly. The developers consciously diverged from typical platformer conventions, opting instead for a deflection-heavy combat system inspired by Sekiro. However, Nine Sols interprets this mechanic through a lens of Taoist philosophy, emphasizing balance and using an opponent's strength against them. This innovative approach presented considerable development challenges, requiring numerous iterations to perfect the deflection mechanics within a 2D environment.

A Narrative Woven into Gameplay

The unique combat system directly influenced the narrative, organically incorporating themes of nature versus technology, and the exploration of life and death. The game's development journey appears to have been a collaborative process, with the game itself seemingly guiding its own creative evolution.

The captivating artwork, intriguing narrative, and innovative gameplay mechanics of Nine Sols have garnered significant attention. The game's unique blend of influences creates a truly distinct and memorable experience.