Jul 1, 2024

Nine Sols – An Interview with Red Candle Games

Mahmud Munazil Rahman

Nine Sols is an 2D action-platformer developed and published by Red Candle Games. The game is set in an Asian fantasy-inspired, futuristic “Taopunk” world.

Read our interview with Red Candle Games to find our what inspired their Sekiro-esque soulslike metroidvania.

IIG: Please could you introduce yourself and your studio?

I’m Shihwei (Vincent), one of the co-founders of Red Candle Games. Red Candle Games was originally formed by six game enthusiasts who are passionate about crafting the most immersive gaming experiences. Over the past eight years, we have released two titles, Detention and Devotion. Today, our team has grown to more than 10 full-time creators, and Nine Sols is our latest title.

IIG: Can you tell us about your game Nine Sols?

Nine Sols is a lore-rich, hand-drawn 2D action platformer featuring intense deflection-focused combat, immersive storytelling, and a unique Taopunk setting. We invite you to explore a land once home to an ancient alien race and follow a vengeful hero’s quest to slay the 9 Sols, formidable rulers of this forsaken realm.
The gameplay combines fast-paced 2D action and exploration, drawing on classic platforming techniques. Given our background in producing narrative-driven games, we focused on crafting an immersive hand-drawn world with a fresh Asian fantasy setting, vivid characters, and a compelling storyline.

IIG: Can you tell us about the game’s conception?

During the prototyping stage, we explored various ideas, discarding many along the way. The concept that stood out and caught our team’s attention was inspired by the mythological Chinese archer Hou Yi. We wondered, “What if we were to reimagine Hou Yi’s story in a science fiction context?” As we delved deeper into this idea, we began to see the potential of blending Taoist mythology with cyberpunk elements, thus creating the unique Taopunk aesthetic. This fusion of ancient Eastern philosophy with futuristic sci-fi elements gradually expanded into a complete story and provided a solid direction for the development of Nine Sols.

IIG: Can you tell us about the gameplay?

For the past five years, we’ve spent considerable time and effort testing and modifying our core combat mechanics. Not only should the controls feel smooth and responsive, but countless other elements must be considered when coming up with a fun, innovative, and user-friendly combat system.
As such, we have designed our fights with an emphasis on close-range encounters and the use of deflection and charging attacks. However, the traditional side-scrolling action controls remain unchanged, so players are free to use moves like dash, double jump, and wall jump/climb in the same ways you’re familiar with.

IIG: Can you tell us about the game’s narrative?

Nine Sols is set in New Kunlun, the last sanctuary of the Solarians, which has remained quiet for centuries. This vast realm, bequeathed to mortals by ancient gods, is protected by sacred rituals, but the true nature of this world is hidden from most inhabitants. The story begins when Yi, a long-forgotten hero from the past, is awakened by a human child.
As players follow Yi on his vengeful quest to defeat the 9 Sols, the formidable rulers of this forsaken realm, they will encounter intense, deflection-focused combat reminiscent of Sekiro. The narrative unfolds in a dark fantasy world filled with danger and mystery, where every path reveals more about the ancient alien race and the fate of mankind. The story explores deep themes of vengeance, the clash between
technology and nature, and the hidden truths of a world steeped in Taoist mythology and cyberpunk elements, creating a rich and immersive experience for players.

IIG: Who’s behind the incredible artwork?

The incredible hand-drawn artwork of Nine Sols is the result of the combined efforts of our talented art team. The team is led by Hans Chen, our Art Director, who also served as the Art Director for both Devotion and Detention. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the game’s distinct aesthetic. Pege Ho, the lead artist, is responsible for most of the character creation, bringing a unique and
compelling design to each character. Tata, our concept artist, played a crucial role in developing the game’s Taopunk aesthetic, while Minus Chen, our lead animator, brought these concepts to life with dynamic and fluid animations. Inspired by traditional Chinese art, Taoist symbolism, and cyberpunk visuals, the team has dedicated countless hours to crafting a visually striking and immersive world. Their creativity and hard work have truly brought the unique Taopunk world of Nine Sols to life, seamlessly blending ancient Eastern philosophies with futuristic sci-fi elements.

IIG: Who’s behind the incredible soundtrack?

Our soundtrack, blending dark electronic sounds with Eastern instruments, is crafted by a skilled composer, FFXX, who has meticulously created music that enhances the immersive experience of Nine Sols.

IIG: What’s your ambition for the game?

Our ambition for Nine Sols is to:

Build a stylish Taopunk world that blends cyberpunk/sci-fi elements with Taoism and Far Eastern mythology.
Recreate the deflection-focused Sekiro combat experience in 2D and meld it with classic side-scrolling exploration.
Incorporate anime/manga-influenced, hand-crafted art and a dark electronic soundtrack mixed with Eastern instruments.

IIG: What’s next in the game’s journey?

Next, we are focused on refining and polishing Nine Sols to ensure it meets the high standards we’ve set. We are also preparing for the game’s launch and planning additional content updates post-release to keep players engaged. Additionally, we are working on console porting to bring Nine Sols to a broader audience, ensuring that players on various platforms can enjoy the unique Taopunk experience. We are also expanding language and localization support so that people from different regions can fully enjoy the game. Our goal is to deliver a seamless and captivating game experience across all platforms and languages.

IIG: How can be people stay up-to-date on the latest from your studio and Nine Sols?

The best way to stay updated is by following us on social media platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook, where we share the latest news first. Additionally, we recommend joining our Discord server, where players can connect with others and engage with our community.

Thank you for reading our Interview with Red Candle Games. For more interesting articles about indie games, be sure to check out the links below.