Nine Sols, a souls-like 2D platformer by Red Candle Games, is set to make a splash on the Switch, PS, and Xbox consoles soon! As the game gears up for its console launch, producer Shihwei Yang has shared insights into what makes their title stand out in the crowded gaming landscape.

Nine Sols' Unique Art and Combat Are Its Shining Megastars

Takes Inspiration From Eastern Philosophy and Gritty Cyberpunk

In anticipation of Nine Sols' console release next month, co-founder and producer Shihwei Yang discussed how Red Candle Games' souls-like platformer distinguishes itself from other games released this year. The game's unique identity, encompassing gameplay, visuals, and story, is rooted in what it calls "Taopunk," a fusion of Eastern philosophy, particularly Taoism, and the aesthetics of cyberpunk.

The game's visuals and art draw inspiration from 80s and 90s manga/anime such as Akira and Ghost in the Shell, both critically acclaimed sci-fi works known for their futuristic settings, bustling cities, neon lights, and the integration of humans and technology. "Since we’re all fans of ‘80s and ‘90s Japanese anime and manga, cyberpunk classics like 'Akira' and 'Ghost in the Shell' became key inspirations for our art development," Yang explained. "These works deeply influenced how we approached the visual style of Nine Sols, blending futuristic tech with an artistic flair that feels both nostalgic and fresh."

These artistic influences extend to Nine Sols' audio design, with Yang noting that the game's music combines traditional Eastern elements with modern instruments. "We wanted the soundscape to stand out, so we fused traditional Eastern sounds with modern instruments to create something truly distinct," he said. "This combination gave Nine Sols an identity that sets it apart from other games, making the atmosphere feel both grounded in ancient roots and futuristic at the same time."

Beyond its meticulously crafted audio-visual representation of its Taopunk world, Nine Sols' combat system is where the unique blend of these elements truly shines. "We thought we had found our rhythm, creating settings that resonated with the philosophical ideas of Taoism while embracing the gritty energy of cyberpunk. But then, just when we thought we could take a breath," Yang began, "another challenge arose: the gameplay. Designing the combat system proved to be one of the most difficult hurdles we faced."

Initially, the studio looked to classic indie titles like Hollow Knight for inspiration in Nine Sols' overall gameplay, but Yang noted, "it quickly became clear that it didn’t fit the tone of Nine Sols." The developers at Nine Sols knew they didn't want to follow the path of other great platformers, as it didn't align with their vision of creating a deflection-heavy 2D action game. "It wasn’t until we returned to the core ideas of the game that we found a new direction. Around that time, we coincidentally came across the deflection system from Sekiro, and it resonated deeply with us," Yang said.

However, instead of focusing on aggressive combat, the Nine Sols team chose to emphasize the quiet intensity and focus rooted in Taoist philosophy. This design choice allowed the studio to develop a combat system that "uses an opponent’s strength against them."

Nine Sols features a combat system that "rewards players for deflecting attacks and maintaining balance." Yang admitted that building this "deflection-heavy" style presented its own challenges for Red Candle Games. "It’s a rarely explored mechanic in 2D, and it took countless iterations to get right. Thankfully, after much trial and error, everything finally clicked," he explained.

"As we pieced everything together, the overall narrative also began to amplify. Themes like nature vs. technology and the meaning of life and death naturally found their way into the story," he elaborated in the blog. "Strangely enough, it felt like Nine Sols was carving out its own path, and we were merely guiding it as it found its voice."

Nine Sols' robust gameplay mechanics, captivating artwork, and intriguing story are indeed aspects that left Game8 absolutely stunned. You can read more of our thoughts on Nine Sols in our review linked below!