GamesAdventureThis beautiful, Japanese mythology-inspired Metroidvania is far from a Hollow Knight clone, but it’s exactly what you need while you wait for SilksongWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesAdventureThis beautiful, Japanese mythology-inspired Metroidvania is far from a Hollow Knight clone, but it’s exactly what you need while you wait for SilksongWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Humble Games)
It can be hard to shake off the shadow of Hollow Knight when you’re making a 2D Metroidvania, but I can’t imagine that that’s too much of a concern for the developers of Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus. A diminutive silent protagonist, a mysterious world brought to life with gorgeous artwork, and a supporting cast of appropriately cryptic side characters aren’t the world’s most subtle nod to Team Cherry.
For all that, however, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus remains firmly rooted in its own identity. Based around Japanese mythology, its journey begins with the descent of Bo - a Yokai created for the game that blends a fox-like top half with the powers of a ‘celestial blossom’. Those powers put a swift focus on platforming, and it’s not long until you’re learning to combine Bo’s aerial abilities with their powerful staff to work your way through sprawling levels.
Godlike
(Image credit: Humble Games)
Much of the time, however, there’s a sense of genuine mastery that’s far more in line with some of the best 2D platformers of recent years. It’s certainly prepared to be tricky, and there are certain skills that do require practice to perfect, but Path of the Teal Lotus treads a fine line well. A single missed input doesn’t always have to send you back to the start of whatever challenge you’re facing, and I appreciated the fact that Bo was often able to scrabble back into a position where they could continue from wherever they left off without crashing to the floor or losing HP to a reset.
Indie spotlight(Image credit: LWMedia)Despite starting life as a Bloodborne parody, Nightmare Kart is one of the best free games you can play right now
Indie spotlight
(Image credit: LWMedia)Despite starting life as a Bloodborne parody, Nightmare Kart is one of the best free games you can play right now
(Image credit: LWMedia)
Despite starting life as a Bloodborne parody, Nightmare Kart is one of the best free games you can play right now
It’s here that Path of the Teal Lotus' Japanese inspiration is most keenly felt. Its backgrounds - whether in close-up platforming sections or screen-spanning vistas - speak directly to the mythology that shaped the game, and lend it a crucial sense of identity. Combat is rarely a core focus of the action - platforming, motion, and mobility feel much more important - but Path of the Teal Lotus knows how to put on a show when it comes to boss fights. Arenas open out, these Japanese-inspired monsters filling and adapting the space to allow art and action to truly complement each other.
(Image credit: Humble Games)
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In much the same way that it must be hard to exist in the shadow of something like Silksong as a developer, it can be hard to write about modern indie Metroidvanias without dwelling too long on Hollow Knight. It’s clear that Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus isn’t looking to shy away from that comparison - the scent of Team Cherry’s masterpiece is all over this game. But crucially, itisjust a scent; Bo and The Knight have plenty in common, and I can feel the influence of the Hallownest and its inhabitants, but at no point does this feel like a cheap copycat. Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus and its Japanese mythology offer a valuable, if familiar, entry into this part of the Metroidvania genre. If you, like many others, are still waiting for Silksong, this is a worthy contender to not just help you kill some time, but help you get excited for that eventual release.
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is out now on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Switch. To see what else we’ve been enjoying this year, head on over to ourIndie Spotlightseries.
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