Nine Sols: A Taopunk Souls-like Platformer That Redefines the Genre
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 highlighted the game's unique features, differentiating it from other titles in the crowded souls-like genre.
A Fusion of Eastern Philosophy and Cyberpunk Aesthetics:
Nine Sols' distinctive identity stems from its "Taopunk" aesthetic, a compelling blend of Eastern philosophies, particularly Taoism, and the gritty cyberpunk visual style.
Inspired by classic 80s and 90s anime like Akira and Ghost in the Shell, the game's visuals showcase a futuristic world brimming with neon lights and a symbiotic relationship between humanity and technology. This aesthetic extends to the audio design, which seamlessly integrates traditional Eastern musical elements with modern instrumentation, creating a unique and immersive soundscape.
Innovative Deflection-Based Combat:
While initially inspired by titles like Hollow Knight, Nine Sols' combat system ultimately diverged, embracing a deflection-heavy approach reminiscent of Sekiro. However, unlike Sekiro's aggressive counterplay, Nine Sols' combat emphasizes a more contemplative, balanced style rooted in Taoist principles, rewarding players for skillful deflection and maintaining composure. Developing this unique 2D deflection mechanic proved challenging, requiring numerous iterations to perfect.
This innovative combat system, combined with the game's captivating visuals and a narrative exploring themes of nature versus technology and the cycle of life and death, creates a truly unique and memorable gaming experience. The result is a game that has genuinely carved its own path within the souls-like genre.
