| Tao | |
|---|---|
Cover art |
|
| Developer(s) | Pax Softnica[1] |
| Publisher(s) | VAP[1] |
| Platform(s) | Family Computer[1] |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Adventure[1] |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) |
|
| Media/distribution | 6-megabit cartridge |
Tao (道, lit. "Road")[2] is an adventure video game for the Nintendo Family Computer about living the life of a nomad seeking spiritual enlightenment.
While the hero of the story is seen evading a Tyrannosaurus rex-type monster on the box art, he has to confront the major creatures of Japanese mythology as the bosses of this video game. Japanese literacy is required to play the original version of the game while a translation been created in 2011 by a ROM hacker simply known as The Snark.[3]
"In the year one thousand nine hundred ninety nine, seventh monthFrom the sky comes a Grand King of Frightening Power
To resurrect the great king of Angolmois."
On the way to enlightenment, the player roams from town to town solving quests for various non-player characters during the year 1999.[4]
Along the way, the red-headed character develops an alter ego named Tao (which can be summoned by rubbing on a special piece of stone), they must prevent the apocalypse from occuring by accomplishing the necessary quests.[4] This apocalypse is set to occur on August 18th of that year. Some of the village names and events are based on Nostradamus folklore.[4] The real world city of Tokyo is included in the game; which has been bought up by the local cults and filled with horrible monsters.[4] While the world is futuristic, there are also anachronisms like people being dependent on dinosaurs for transportation.[4] Players also have to visit cities that are made out of gold in order to complete the game.[3]
There are elders and common folk outside the village that give out advice when you leave the town by walking on the railroad tracks. A Buddhist temple can be explored near the player's starting point.[5] In the introduction prior to beginning the game, a sperm cell transforms into a fetus and into an infant human being.[6] This baby is representative of the main character in the beginning of his life.