Taopunk's Unique Identity Soars in Souls-Like Genre

Red Candle Games' upcoming 2D souls-like platformer, Nine Sols, is poised to hit Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles soon. Producer Shihwei Yang recently shed light on what distinguishes this title from the crowded souls-like genre.

Nine Sols' Unique Blend: Art, Combat, and "Taopunk"

Eastern Philosophy Meets Gritty Cyberpunk

Ahead of next month's console launch, Yang discussed the game's unique identity, a fusion the developers term "Taopunk." This concept expertly blends Eastern philosophies, particularly Taoism, with the aesthetics of cyberpunk.

The game's visual style draws heavily from 80s and 90s anime and manga, such as Akira and Ghost in the Shell. This influence is evident in the futuristic cityscapes, neon-drenched environments, and the seamless integration of technology and humanity. "Our love for classic Japanese anime and manga heavily shaped Nine Sols’ visual style," Yang explained, "blending futuristic technology with a nostalgic yet fresh artistic approach."

This artistic vision extends to the game's audio design, with a soundtrack that fuses traditional Eastern musical elements and modern instrumentation. "We aimed for a unique soundscape," Yang noted, "combining traditional Eastern sounds with modern instruments to create an atmosphere both ancient and futuristic."

Beyond the captivating visuals and audio, Nine Sols' combat system is where the "Taopunk" identity truly shines. Yang described the development process as challenging, stating, "We initially drew inspiration from games like Hollow Knight, but it didn't quite fit Nine Sols' tone. We ultimately found our direction by returning to the core game concepts and incorporating Sekiro's deflection system."

Instead of focusing on aggressive counterattacks, Nine Sols' combat emphasizes the quiet intensity and balance found in Taoist philosophy. The deflection-heavy system rewards skillful parries and strategic balance, a rarely explored mechanic in 2D games. Yang highlighted the numerous iterations required to perfect this unique combat style.

This refined gameplay, coupled with the captivating art and compelling narrative, creates a truly distinctive experience. The themes of nature versus technology, and the exploration of life and death, organically emerged during development, solidifying Nine Sols' unique identity. The resulting game is a testament to the team's vision and dedication.