Japanese myths and legends meet action platforming
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is an action game that immerses players in a world inspired by Japanese folklore. The game boasts visuals reminiscent of classic Japanese paintings and a soundtrack featuring traditional instruments. You play as Bō, a tentaihana fox or celestial blossom from heaven, tasked to fulfill an ancient prophecy.
In Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, players engage in challenging boss fights and explore a world filled with a diverse cast of characters. This platformer incorporates Metroidvania elements, focusing heavily on platforming rather than combat, distinguishing it from games like Nine Sols which prioritize combat.
Abilities, exploration, and challenges
The fox protagonist in Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus uses a bō staff for combat, allowing you to bounce off enemies like a pogo stick for aerial movement. Bō also carries a kettle that gradually fills with tea during battles; when safe, you can drink the tea to restore health. As you progress, you’ll collect Daruma dolls to summon in battles, each with its own unique abilities.
Additionally, players can collect Omamori charms to boost Bō's abilities. These charms provide diverse benefits, including attracting enemy drops for efficient money collection, increasing running speed, and slowing down time during specific actions. By aiding players in weaker areas, these charms add a strategic layer to the gameplay. The ability to select and customize their charm combinations also allows players to adapt their setup to their preferred playstyle.
Incorporating Metroidvania elements, the gameplay requires players to return to previously inaccessible areas as they gain new abilities. However, the map doesn’t allow marking specific locations, making it challenging to remember where to revisit with these new skills. Additionally, areas are marked as explored even if you’ve only passed through them, which might result in missed discoveries. Despite these limitations, the objective tracker helps guide you to key locations.
Metroidvania mechanics and immersive storytelling
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus stands out with its enchanting blend of Japanese folklore, traditional art, and music. The platforming-focused gameplay, along with the unique mechanics of the bō staff and tea kettle, provides a refreshing experience. While the map's limitations can be challenging, the spirited cast of characters and the thrill of uncovering hidden areas make this game a captivating journey through a beautifully crafted world.
