Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus review

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus review

In the world of video games, I consider myself a seasoned explorer of the Metroidvania genre. With over a decade of experience under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from the classics like Metroid and Castlevania, to the modern indie darlings that have breathed new life into this beloved genre. But among the sea of Metroidvanias that graced our screens in 2024, one game stood out to me as a true gem: Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus.


In the year 2024, it can be widely accepted that the Metroidvania genre will have a strong presence. Kicking off this year was the highly anticipated and enjoyable Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Following this, indie games stepped up to fill in the gaps. Minishoot Adventures introduced bullet hell elements to the exploratory genre, Turbo Kid offered rad bike tricks as a movie tie-in, and Ufouria The Saga 2 surprised us with a sequel to an almost forgotten game. Despite an abundance of Metroidvanias in this year, we’ll eventually need to pick our favorites. I’m putting my bet on Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus.

In a world drawn from Japanese mythology, the unassuming hero, Bo, is a miniature fox yokai who has come down from the heavens. Carrying a significant destiny, Bo is poised to leave an indelible mark on the people of Sakura City and the Bamboo Forest. Amidst stunning landscapes and endearing animal inhabitants, these areas are under threat from a monstrous entity roaming the land. Despite their diminutive size, Bo appears to be the only one capable of averting disaster and saving the day with their formidable abilities.

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus review

The unique abilities of Bo make this game stand out among other Metroidvanias, enabling you to traverse the world in innovative ways. Initially, you may assume that your jumping and bo staff swinging will provide typical Metroidvania maneuvers for exploration. However, Bo offers much more than that. Upon striking an enemy or object, you are rewarded with an additional jump, leading to thrilling aerial feats as you leap from foe to foe. The sensation of bouncing off enemies to navigate perilous screens is indescribably satisfying, and this enjoyment only intensifies as you acquire new abilities.

Although you already possess an excellent means of transportation in Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus, there are still numerous additional skills to discover. You can use your bat to shatter obstructed paths by hitting projectiles. The ground pound is effective in damaging weak floors and dealing significant harm to adversaries. Furthermore, the air dash enhances your aerial maneuvers, making them even more impressive. As you may guess from Bo’s game genre, these abilities also grant access to concealed power-ups and collectibles in previously visited areas, boosting your strength to unprecedented levels – a feeling of immense satisfaction that prepares you for the upcoming challenges.

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus review

Navigating through Bo’s “Path of the Teal Lotus” involves overcoming various mythical adversaries in addition to reaching your destination. Your bo staff serves as your primary weapon, delivering straightforward yet potent blows against adversaries. However, your most formidable weapon is your Daruma. Along your journey, you’ll encounter numerous Darumas, each possessing unique and powerful abilities that can be activated at the expense of some of your tea. Engaging enemies with balls of agony or breathing flames adds an enjoyable layer to combat. Successfully landing a series of bo staff hits on enemies without touching the ground increases the power of your subsequent Daruma attack.

By perfecting your control over movements and possessing a Daruma doll, you’ll have a fighting chance against Bo’s intimidating and extraordinary bosses. However, healing will be essential for victory. Conveniently, with your enchanted teapot, restoration is simple: collect five tea drops inside and consume for a health point restoration when the opportunity arises. With each enemy strike, a single drop of tea is earned, making extended battles against formidable foes grueling tests of endurance.

For me, the value I derive from finding collectibles in a Metroidvania game is a significant factor. If the collectibles seem insignificant, I may lose motivation to revisit previously explored areas for new items. However, Bo offers an engaging alternative with various charm upgrades and passive bonuses to acquire, as well as currency and adorable leaf companions that contribute to expanding the hub town with beneficial structures.

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus review

As a huge fan of Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus, I can’t help but rave about the game’s stunning visuals. The art, reminiscent of Japanese classics, leaves me in awe whether I’m admiring a still scene or watching it come to life. The opening chase sequence with a mermaid and crashing ocean waves, inspired by Hokusai’s famous “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” is an unforgettable spectacle that makes my gaming experience truly magical.

As a gamer, I can tell you that Bo’s campaign was almost flawless, keeping me engaged for around 6-8 hours. However, there were a few minor glitches that I encountered. The storyline could have been more captivating, and it was quite noticeable throughout the game. Additionally, the final boss presented a significant challenge, which I found thrilling, but it might be too tough for some players. To add to the frustration, it takes approximately a minute to reach the boss after getting defeated repeatedly, making the experience tedious on multiple attempts.

The game “Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus” is an extraordinary Metroidvania with remarkable mobility and stunning visuals, ranking among the best of the year. The collectibles are valuable and cleverly concealed, the combat offers rich complexity, and every power-up enhances the delight of discovering the expansive world even further. In a long time, no Metroidvania has captivated players as much as “Bo.” However, be warned that defeating the final boss may take some time and effort.

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2024-07-15 19:16