Nine Sols: A Taopunk Souls-like Platformer That Defies Expectations
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.
A Fusion of Eastern Philosophy and Cyberpunk Aesthetics ("Taopunk")
Yang emphasizes Nine Sols' foundation in "Taopunk," a compelling 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, capturing the futuristic cityscapes, neon lights, and human-technology fusion characteristic of the genre. This aesthetic extends to the audio design, which incorporates traditional Eastern musical elements with modern instrumentation, creating a unique and immersive soundscape.
A Deflection-Focused Combat System
While initially inspired by titles like Hollow Knight, Nine Sols ultimately diverged, rejecting a purely platformer approach. Instead, the developers adopted a deflection-heavy combat system inspired by Sekiro, but with a crucial twist. Rather than aggressive parrying, Nine Sols' combat emphasizes the quiet intensity and balance inherent in Taoist philosophy, rewarding players for skillful deflection and maintaining composure. This unique mechanic, rarely seen in 2D games, required extensive development and iteration.
The game's narrative organically evolved alongside its gameplay, incorporating themes of nature versus technology and the cyclical nature of life and death. The result is a cohesive and compelling experience that stands apart from its contemporaries. Nine Sols' innovative blend of gameplay, art, and narrative promises a truly unique and memorable gaming experience.
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