Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus Bounds Into the Metroidvania Scene

A brand new metroidvania platformer is here, and it’s already garnering praise from indie gamers who love this genre.

Thailand-based indie game studio Squid Shock Studios has released Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, described as a “2.5D” action platformer. The game is set in a beautiful, hand-drawn world inspired by Japanese folklore, as players take Bō (a fox tentaihana, or celestial blossom) on a quest to uncover the secret behind the rise of a powerful shogun.

Check out the game’s launch trailer:

Since its July launch the game has accumulated a 77 average score on Metacritic.

Bō includes plenty of action, exploration, and boss fights, but the real focus here seems to be on fluid and acromatic platforming. Bō uses her legendary bō staff to bounce and glide through the environment and reach new heights. Ability upgrades come in the form of arcane teas that unlock new abilities for the shapeshifting staff, including new movement mechanics like the Lotus Dash and the Grappling Gun.

From the publisher:

Flow gracefully through a colorful, hand-drawn 2.5D action platformer inspired by Japanese folklore. Whether you’re traversing collapsing bridges with high-flying acrobatics, taking tea breaks with tengu, or probing bamboo forests for secret passages, there’s more than one way to go with the flow.

Features

Airborne Agility. As a fox tentaihana, a spirited blossom from the Celestial Realm, Bō is right at home flying through the air. Aerial acrobatics are a core part of Bō’s gameplay, as you leap up, pogo off an enemy or environmental element to enable another mid-air jump, and navigate to the next foothold to continue the cycle.

The Transforming Equinox Earring. The source of much of Bō’s celestial power is a teal-and-vermillion earring capable of taking on some extraordinary shapes. These earring forms grant Bō the abilities to scale and explore the world, and uncover the mysteries it contains.

Tea and Tranquility. Bō’s harrowing battles with yokai and monsters are balanced out with moments of serenity – often accompanied by a steaming cup of tea. Sit down with spirit to hear its tale (and perhaps even earn a mysterious power). But tea has other purposes too…

Tea and Troublemaking. Bō carries an enchanted kettle that fills up with each enemy strike, and heats up when Bō maintains airborne combos during combat. A “gift” of sorts from Asahi, this kettle fuels certain abilities…including ones provided by the curious Daruma Dolls that Bō can collect during your journey.

These Daruma Dolls can turn your fortunes in battle from surrounding you with shields or blasting flames towards your foes, there’s something to fit your playstyle.

Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is available now on all major platforms.