Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus Is A Gorgeously Animated MetroidVania That Doesn’t Break New Ground (Review)

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Developed by Squid Shock Studios and published by Humble Games, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a visually stunning MetroidVania-style game. The MetroidVania genre – known for its exploration, diverse combat, and striking art – has remained popular thanks to fresh takes and updates, and Bō clearly benefits from a strong artistic vision.

One excellent modern example is Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, a game inspired by Japanese myths and stories. It builds a beautiful and immersive world, making its already good platforming gameplay even better. The game rewards players with creative and challenging boss battles that combine combat and movement skillfully. While it doesn’t revolutionize the genre, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a fantastic reminder of what makes platforming games so enjoyable.

Score: 4/5

Pros: Cons:
Gorgeous art design makes for a visually stunning game. Somewhat straightforward gameplay lacks depth of other similar platformers.
Tight platforming gameplay pays off a rewarding challenge. Relatively short run time leaves players wanting more.
Memorable boss fights serve as highlights of a short but sweet experience.

Into The Woods You Go

Inspired by Japanese folklore, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus puts you in the role of Bo, a young Tentaihana. When disaster hits, Bo embarks on a journey through a world filled with Yōkai to fight the forces causing chaos. The game is particularly impressive visually, boasting a beautiful art style that blends vibrant colors with darker themes and unsettling creatures.

The game creatively transforms Japanese Yōkai into enemies and bosses, adding a captivating and slightly eerie spiritual element, enhanced by its increasingly dark visuals. This smart art style truly shines in the unforgettable boss battles, which are visually striking and memorable. Characters are animated with a vibrant, colorful style that seamlessly fits both heavenly and demonic themes. The game runs smoothly and consistently delivers a polished presentation with very few issues. Overall, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a beautiful game to look at.

The Way Of The Teal Lotus

But getting started is only part of what makes a game great. Fortunately, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is both easy to pick up and consistently fun to play. Like Hollow Knight or Nine Sols, it’s a Metroidvania with a dark fantasy setting and a huge world that encourages exploration. You’ll spend a lot of time navigating tricky platforming sections and uncovering hidden secrets.

The game centers around jumping, which creates a consistently fun and challenging experience. Players bounce between floating lanterns and dodge enemies to reach higher areas. This jumping mechanic is the core of the gameplay, with some combat added as you encounter demons. As you play, you can customize your staff with found items, use the powers of collectible Daruma figures, or unlock new abilities by brewing special teas.

Okay, so the core of this game is really solid platforming, but it’s not just jumping around. A lot of the challenge comes from mixing that platforming with combat – you’re dodging and fighting while you’re moving, which is super cool. There was this one boss fight early on, against the Hashihime Maiden, that was a perfect example of how well that combo works. Honestly, sometimes the basic movement felt a little samey, and it could get pretty tough, but the game is so well-designed that it really encourages you to get good. It’s one of those games where mastering it feels really rewarding.

Strong Execution Of Familiar Territory

Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a solid platformer that builds on a long history of games in the genre. While it doesn’t revolutionize the formula, it offers a challenging experience with precise controls and enjoyable boss battles. However, I didn’t find it particularly addictive. I felt satisfied completing the challenges, but it lacked the compelling excitement that makes other platformers truly stand out. The gameplay is perfectly fine, but it doesn’t reach exceptional levels.

Okay, so I absolutely loved how beautiful this game is! Seriously, the world they created is just stunning and made me so eager to see what was around every corner. My only little disappointment was that it felt a bit short – I was really getting into it! But honestly, the new DLC with Gauntlet and Boss Rush modes has me totally pumped to jump back in. It’s a gorgeous game, and as a platforming fan, I’d say it’s a must-play. Even if you don’t usually play platformers, I think Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is worth checking out. It doesn’t try to be anything totally new, but it does everything really, really well and looks incredible while doing it.


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2025-11-20 02:40