Hey there, fellow gamers! Let’s chat about Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, a game that’s caught my eye recently. It’s a beautiful Metroidvania that’s all about Japanese folklore, cute characters, and some pretty cool gameplay. Let’s Check it!
What’s the Deal with Bō?
So, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is this gorgeous game made by a tiny team called Squid Shock Studios. You play as Bō, this cute little fox spirit called a Tentaihana. Basically, you’re running around this stunning hand-drawn world, helping other spirits and trying to figure out why everything’s gone to heck in a handbasket.
The story’s got some heavy themes about life and loss, but it’s told in a way that’s really touching. Plus, the world is just bursting with color and charm. It’s like someone took a Japanese ink painting and turned it into a video game!
Exploring the World
Let me tell you, exploring in this game is a treat. The world is divided into three main areas, each with its own vibe. As you wander around, you’ll find ancient scrolls that fill you in on the game’s lore. It’s pretty cool how they’ve built this whole world.
The platforming can be a bit tricky at times, especially with some of those lever puzzles. But when you nail a complex section or use the slingshot to zoom around, it feels awesome. Oh, and collecting stuff actually matters in this game! No useless junk cluttering up your inventory here.
Let’s Talk Combat
Alright, so the fighting in Bō is all about timing and precision. Your main weapon is this staff that doubles as an earring (how cool is that?). But the real star of the show is the aerial combat. It’s kinda like Hollow Knight, but with a twist – each hit in the air gives you another jump. You can really build up some sweet combos this way.
The coolest part? These little Daruma doll allies you get. They’re like special weapons you can swap between, and each one is good for different situations. It keeps the fights feeling fresh and fun.
The Good, The Bad, and The Beautiful
Let’s break it down:
The Good:
- Gorgeous hand-drawn art
- Fun, aerial-focused combat
- Charming characters and world
- Meaningful collectibles
The Not-So-Good:
- Some frustrating platforming sections
- Boss fights can be a bit too easy (except the final boss – whew!)
- Limited fast travel can mean a lot of backtracking
Wrapping It Up
I spent about 12.5 hours with Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, and I’ve gotta say, it was a pretty great time. Sure, it’s got a few rough edges, but the beautiful world, solid combat, and heartfelt story more than make up for it.
If you’re into Metroidvanias or just love games with stunning art, you should definitely give Bō a shot. It’s available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac for $19.99.
So, what do you think? Does Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus sound like your cup of tea? Let me know in the comments!
Score: 8.3/10
(Just so you know, I got a review code from the publisher for this one. But don’t worry, that didn’t affect my opinion!)