Red Candle Games' upcoming 2D souls-like platformer, Nine Sols, is poised to make a splash on Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles! Producer Shihwei Yang recently highlighted the game's unique features, differentiating it from the crowded souls-like genre.
Nine Sols' Distinctive Art Style and Combat System
A Fusion of Eastern Philosophy and Cyberpunk Aesthetics
Ahead of next month's console launch, Yang discussed Nine Sols' distinctive identity, a blend the studio terms "Taopunk." This innovative concept merges the principles of Eastern philosophies, particularly Taoism, with the gritty visual style of cyberpunk.
The game's visual aesthetic 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 intricate relationship between humanity and technology, heavily informed Nine Sols' art direction. Yang explains, "As fans of 80s and 90s Japanese anime and manga, cyberpunk classics like 'Akira' and 'Ghost in the Shell' were crucial inspirations. They profoundly shaped Nine Sols' visual style, blending futuristic technology with an artistic flair that feels both nostalgic and innovative."
This artistic vision extends to the game's audio design. Yang describes the soundtrack as a fusion of traditional Eastern musical elements and modern instrumentation, creating a unique soundscape. "We aimed for a distinctive soundscape, combining traditional Eastern sounds with modern instruments. This blend gives Nine Sols a unique identity, grounding the atmosphere in ancient roots while maintaining a futuristic feel."
Beyond its striking visuals and audio, Nine Sols' combat system truly embodies the "Taopunk" spirit. Yang describes the development process: "We felt we'd found our rhythm, creating environments that resonated with Taoist philosophy and the raw energy of cyberpunk. But just as we thought we could relax, a new challenge emerged: gameplay. Designing the combat system proved exceptionally difficult."
Initially, the team looked to classic indie titles like Hollow Knight for inspiration, but Yang admits, "it quickly became apparent that it didn't fit Nine Sols' tone." The developers consciously avoided mimicking other platformers, aiming for something unique—a deflection-focused 2D action game. "We rediscovered our direction by returning to the game's core concepts. We happened upon Sekiro's deflection system, and it resonated deeply with us," Yang reveals.
Instead of aggressive, counter-attack based combat, Nine Sols emphasizes the quiet intensity and mindful focus found in Taoist philosophy. This approach resulted in a combat system that "utilizes an opponent's strength against them," rewarding players for deflecting attacks and maintaining balance. Yang acknowledges the challenges of this "deflection-heavy" style in a 2D context: "It's a rarely explored mechanic in 2D, requiring countless iterations to perfect. After much trial and error, everything finally clicked."
"As the pieces fell into place, the narrative also evolved. Themes of nature versus technology, and the meaning of life and death, organically emerged," Yang adds. "It felt like Nine Sols was forging its own path, and we were simply guiding it as it found its voice."
Nine Sols' compelling gameplay, captivating art, and intriguing story have left a lasting impression. For a more in-depth look, check out our full review (link provided below)!
