Azure Dreams

Azure Dreams
Developer(s)	Konami
Publisher(s)	Konami
Composer(s)	Hiroshi Tamawari
Platform(s)	PlayStation, Game Boy Color
Release date(s)	30 June 1998
Genre(s)	Role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Everyone[1]
Media	1 CD-ROM

Azure Dreams (originally released in Japan as アザーライフ アザードリームス Other Life: Azure Dreams) is a PlayStation video game developed by Konami and released on 30 June 1998. The game was later ported onto the Game Boy Color. The semi-sequel, Tao's Adventure: Curse of the Demon Seal, was released in the US on 21 March 2006 on the Nintendo DS.

Story

Azure Dreams is set in a fantasy town called Monsbaiya. Set in the desert, the town prospers only because of the Monster Tower looming over it. In this town lives a skilled and famous monster tamer named Guy. On a stormy day, Guy disappears in the tower, never to be seen again. Ever since he disappeared, Guy's family has struggled to get by, putting all their hopes on Koh, his son, who will be allowed to enter the tower when he reaches the age of 15. When Koh finally reaches adulthood, he meets a vagabond familiar named Kewne, a monster that can speak the human language. Kewne and Koh then embark on a quest to reach the top floor of the Monster Tower and find out the truth about Guy's fate.

Gameplay

The game offers a lot of choice in respect to how individual players wish to play. The main focus of the game is entering the tower and destroying its denizens, collecting treasure and monster eggs to hatch into familiars, but an interesting side mission is the improvement of the town of Monsbaiya. With his acquired riches, Koh can finance the building of a theatre, hospital, racing track, casino, bowling alley, and gym. Some buildings allow the appearance of specific love interests (such as the Hospital making way for Cherrl to appear and the library making Mia available), while others offer mini-games and the ability to acquire currency at a faster rate. Koh can also improve the furnishings and decorate his home.
The player is also given the option of pursuing romantic ambitions in Koh's life. There are seven characters that he may develop a relationship with, from tomboy Nico to stuck-up, selfish Selfi. Though it is a common misconception, the player is unable to marry any of the girls in the Japanese version. Also a common misconception, it is impossible to develop a romance with Ghosh, though he and Koh do exchange friendly words as the game progresses. The only difference that exists between the Japanese and American versions of the game is the presence in the Japanese version of voiced dialogue for every character.
Every time Koh enters the Tower, he returns to level one; however, any familiars hatched outside the Tower retain their current level. As such, progression through the higher levels of the Tower relies on strengthening the familiars or equipment. Strengthening weapons and shields can be an uphill battle, because the items that add a +1 to their attack or defense are often far outnumbered by Rust Traps, one of the many varieties of randomly-generated traps that only become visible once activated. One remedy to this is to use types of equipment that do not rust. Furthermore, once in the Tower, there are only three ways of exiting it: If Koh "dies" within the Tower, he returns to town but loses all equipment he carried; a familiar can be sacrificed using a specific item found within the Tower, called an Oleem, allowing Koh to escape and keep all of his other equipment; and a Wind Crystal can be found in the Tower that allows escape at any time.
Another unique point of Azure Dreams is the random map generator: every time Koh enters the Monster Tower, the levels are randomly generated so as to make every monster-hunting experience different.
In many ways, Azure Dreams is a graphical roguelike. Activity within the main dungeon is turn-based, with one move or attack corresponding to a turn (e.g. when the player takes a step, so do opposing monsters). Randomly generated dungeons and treasures are also features shared with the genre.