Tao: VAP Classic Famicom Title
Tao is an ancient Chinese fantasy action role-playing game published by VAP exclusively for the Famicom. A group of heroes embarks on a pilgrimage to restore cosmic balance, traversing rural villages, mist-shrouded mountain passes and multi-floor demon-infested caverns. Real-time overhead combat, equipment crafting and elemental magic define the oriental fantasy adventure.
The interconnected world spans peaceful hamlets and haunted wilderness zones. Random encounters trigger real-time combat against mythical beasts and evil spirits. Victories grant experience to level up and gold to purchase arms, armour and healing supplies.
Powerful elemental demon bosses guard ancient sacred artefacts required to confront the source of world imbalance. Hidden mountain shrines contain permanent magic power upgrades.
VAP’s atmospheric ancient Chinese pastoral tile graphics and sombre ceremonial instrumental background music evoke the mystic tone of Eastern fantasy mythology.
Strategically, successful restoration of balance requires balanced training of melee warriors and spellcasters. Parties lacking reliable healing face catastrophic wipeouts deep within remote cave labyrinths.
For contemporary Famicom retro obscure oriental fantasy RPG collectors, Tao is a scarce domestic VAP curio with distinctive Taoist myth-inspired worldbuilding.