Tao's Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal (2006). Play online

Summary

Tao's Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal packs a surprisingly deep dungeon‑crawler into the DS’s dual screens. The 40‑floor Monster Tower runs on a strict turn‑based system: each step or spell you draw with the stylus lets an enemy move once, creating a chess‑like pacing that feels fresh compared to typical button‑mash RPGs. Spellcasting works by tracing runes on the touch screen, a mechanic later echoed in LostMagic. As you climb, you collect Monster Eggs; once returned to town, the hatched creatures join Tao’s party under AI control, with a max of two at any time and levels capping at 50 (stats at 99). A Coliseum mode lets you pit any hatched monsters against others, and supports wireless multiplayer battles. While the concept is clever, reviewers cited clunky mechanics and an uninspired use of the DS hardware, earning mixed scores and a 29/40 from Famitsu. Still, the game offers a niche charm for players who enjoy strategic turn‑based puzzles and creature‑collecting fun.

Storyline

Tao's Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal follows a young boy named Tao from the island of Bente. He sets out for the distant land of Mondominio to retrieve a rare monster egg hidden in the Monster Tower. The tower’s seal has been shattered, causing the monsters inside to petrify every villager.

Along the way Tao befriends a quirky creature called Petcho, who proudly declares himself an “Elite Monster.” Petcho sticks close to Tao, offering guidance and comic relief throughout the journey. Their partnership becomes the core of the game’s narrative.

The title serves as a direct sequel to Azure Dreams, which debuted eight years earlier. It expands the original’s monster‑collecting RPG formula with a darker storyline and new island setting.