Tao

About

Tao is a wacky RPG with a focus on spiritual combat and cryptic quests. You play as a nameless wanderer in a world wrecked by disasters and a looming apocalypse tied to Nostradamus. The goal is to gather mystical artifacts spread across seven cities, trigrams, chakras, star amulets, while battling a cast of surreal, otherworldly foes. Combat blends action-based button-mashing with rudimentary RPG resource management, all while navigating a plot that zigzags through Hinduism, Buddhism, and more. The tone shifts wildly between somber and absurd, with no clear explanation of how the pieces connect. The game stands out for cramming a bizarre collage of religious references into a post-apocalyptic sci-fi wrapper, all with an 8-bit charm that feels more cult classic than polished experience. Despite its 1989 release, Tao never saw a Western commercial release, though it remains a footnote in niche retro circles. The lack of tutorials and obtuse item logic makes it tough to follow, but the oddball energy and chaotic design have earned it a small but dedicated following among fans of offbeat relics.