The Tao that can be played is not the eternal Tao

October 17, 2008 1:28 PM

The Way is a 2D Japanese-style rpg you would do well to play if you are interested in the genre. It invests in characters, keeps you wanting to see what happens next and has one on one duels that are usually a part of the storyline. It's all fun and games until (your) blood gets spilt on the screen. First stop: Episode 1.

Note that you can change the difficulty or disable (auto-win) the battles, the duels or the puzzles any time. Your character turns out stronger if you play the normal way.

The Way was created by stretching RPG Maker's limits. There are custom backgrounds, a one-on-one duel system that is distinct from the normal battle system and a slightly different, yet altogether intuitive way of handling MP, equipment/level gaining and items.

Keep in mind that appearances can deceive. The last three episodes are significantly bigger and more interesting than the first three. The first is a mere appetizer and when you reach the fourth chapter, you'll never turn back.

Controls, Manual (.doc file), Music list.

posted by ersatz (13 comments total)

Grabbing it now, thanks. Always good to see non-traditional game designers (i.e. non-coders) getting access to ways of making the games they'd like to see.
posted by arcanecrowbar at 1:40 PM on October 17, 2008

wow, i sincerely hope they decide to redo their screenshots. that horrific compositing makes the screenshots completely useless for getting a feel for the game's visual style.
posted by shmegegge at 1:40 PM on October 17, 2008

Yeah, the screenshots suck massively.
posted by sotonohito at 1:48 PM on October 17, 2008

This is Windows only, right?
posted by ghost of a past number at 1:50 PM on October 17, 2008

By the way, Three The Hard Way is one of these games that could keep you playing when you probably shouldn't. A certain degree of mediocrity is countered by a lack of seriousness and twists upon twists upon twists -or, more accurately, shifting of goalposts. That game is long-. It can be hard at times, especially during some minigames. Happy owners of an RPG Maker can manipulate it.
posted by ersatz at 1:51 PM on October 17, 2008

Game is PC only.
posted by baphomet at 1:51 PM on October 17, 2008

As for screenshots, here is a low-res YT trailer and someone at SA saves the day.
posted by ersatz at 2:02 PM on October 17, 2008

well, that SA thread certainly does save the day. I think I'm gonna play the hell out of this when I get home.
posted by shmegegge at 3:53 PM on October 17, 2008

Game is PC only.

Well, that's too bad for people on other architectures, but at least I can run it on my Lin...oh, you mean Windows.
posted by DU at 5:31 PM on October 17, 2008 [2 favorites]

Wow, thanks to the SA thread, I found this gem.
posted by Eideteker at 9:06 AM on October 18, 2008

I'm playing it on my MacBook right now, thanks to VirtualBox :)

It is surprisingly amazing, BTW. Good stuff.
posted by vertigo25 at 1:23 PM on October 18, 2008

yeah I love free fun games. Downloading it right now.
posted by robotot at 8:13 PM on October 18, 2008

Eideteker, previously.
posted by ersatz at 4:45 AM on October 19, 2008