Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus Review – Sophisticated, Stylish, and Challenging

Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus Review

Platformers often serve up a simple yet addictive premise: venture from point A to point B without dying. While this may seem straightforward, the myriad hazards in the path can make it a taxing affair. Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus embraces this classic platforming challenge, combining complex traversal challenges and a Metroidvania ethos with an elegant, Japanese folklore-inspired art direction. Aspiring to carve out a niche in a crowded field, will the game manage to captivate players amidst a plethora of strong contenders?

You play as Bō, a celestial blossom that has descended from the heavens. As the adorable Tentaihana, you venture across a rich world infused with Japanese mythology. Each creature you encounter is synonymous with the culture, celebrating the wonderful and unique traditions of the region. There’s a commitment to authenticity that permeates the entire adventure. Characters and stories are plucked from legend and integrated into the world to create a joyous journey like no other.

Finding A Path

Armed with a magical earring, you slowly gain new powers opening up avenues in the labyrinth world. Traversal is central to the adventure with each aspect of the design thrusting Bō’s graceful movement to the forefront. Enemies act as additional platforms as after you can strike then leap in mid-air to progress to your objective. This system adds a delicious free-flowing nature to the experience as you assess the placement of foes to plan your route fourth. There’s a beauty that imbues each fluid step which enhances the smooth and sophisticated motion. While paths intersect and missions spiral into new regions, side objectives tend to focus on collection-based tasks that lack the main objectives’ originality.

Movement also extends into the combat as you can bounce from person to person building your combo meter with each successful strike. Enemies vary in every location you visit, often requiring you to employ recently learned skills to overcome. In addition to your standard attack, you will also learn different abilities which can be used in various ways. For example, you can use your grapple to dart around the environment but it also doubles as a tool to cut down hanging enemies fleshing out the range of options available.

Boss fights are designed around this premise, firing out projectiles for you to ricochet from or hurl back toward your target. Visually impressive, these memorable battles vary and are thoughtfully designed so that you must use a range of skills to emerge victorious. A couple of the brawls did result in a framerate drop, however, everything else was flawless in terms of performance. The combination of imposing designs and diverse attacks creates an intimidating contest that makes each encounter an absolute thrill.

Precision Platforming

Although there’s a serene and gentle aura that enshrouds Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, it is also challenging, requiring you to apply a variety of inputs to overcome hazards. While precise use of abilities is vital, there are elements to support this to aid progression. Shrines act as checkpoints allowing you to recoup health after difficult segments. These are thoughtfully placed to give a well-needed respite so that you can prepare for what’s next. You can also restore health with a quick sip of tea after consecutive strikes fill your kettle.

The game is packed with lovely quirks like this which enhances the experience. If you are really struggling, there is also the possibility to activate an invincibility mode in the options menu. You can activate and deactivate this at any point. Although not for everyone, it’s a tool to support progression if you are stuck at a certain obstacle.

Taking to the skies and extending your combo fuels your Daruma Doll. This is a special attack that has a standard and super phase based on whether you fill the gauge. You can switch these on the fly to aid your playstyle. Some have aggressive offensive qualities whereas others stack up your defensive ability allowing you to strategize within battles. You can also collect and equip trinkets which give additional boosts such as extra health and much more. The central hub acts as the base to upgrade Bō before you set out to tackle the array of mythological creatures that lurk on your path.

Slick, Smooth and Stunning

The hand-painted, watercolor aesthetic adds an element of legitimacy to the experience. Each stage contains striking artwork which could adorn the walls of a museum. Thick brush strokes and the ethereal lens echo the art direction of the classic Capcom game, Ōkami. This luscious design is further enhanced by the beautiful score which includes a modern score with traditional Japanese instruments. Together they capture an originality that helps the game to discover its own unique identity.

Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a remarkable achievement. Not only is the overall presentation truly stunning with its authentic, watercolor design, but the platform-focused gameplay and thoughtful combat system establish the game as an essential title in the Metroidvania genre. With its responsive controls and challenging boss battles, the game offers an immersive and rewarding experience that will keep players engaged from start to finish.

***A PlayStation 5 code provided by the publisher for review***