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Bo

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is simply a must play Metroidvania, with fantastic locomotion, gorgeous visuals and boss fights I won't forget in a hurry.
Bo Game Cover
79%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, stability
87% User Score Based on 917 reviews
Critic Score 72%Based on 22 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5XboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
Bo Game Cover

About

Bo is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Christopher Stair and was released on July 17, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Bo is a hand-drawn 2D Metroidvania based in a colorful world of Japanese folklore. You play as a tiny fox spirit that grows from lotus blossom after being blessed by the moon god. Use your legendary bō staff to bounce and move fluidly through a delightfully-demonic east asian fever dream. Use the tight movement and reset system to reach areas efficiently and gracefully or recover chaotically while…

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87%
Audience ScoreBased on 917 reviews
gameplay120 positive mentions
grinding46 negative mentions

  • Stunning visuals and art style that beautifully represent Japanese folklore.
  • Fluid and engaging aerial combat mechanics that encourage creative movement.
  • Challenging platforming sections that provide a rewarding experience for skilled players.
  • Inconsistent controls and hit detection, particularly with the grappling mechanic.
  • Some bosses feel overly long and tedious, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
  • The game can be frustrating due to punishing platforming sections with limited checkpoints.
  • gameplay
    343 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus" is characterized by a strong emphasis on aerial movement and platforming, primarily utilizing a pogo mechanic that allows players to regain jumps by striking enemies and objects mid-air. While the mechanics are engaging and the art is visually stunning, many players find the gameplay repetitive and occasionally frustrating due to inconsistent mechanics and difficulty spikes, particularly in boss fights. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of combat and platforming reminiscent of titles like "Hollow Knight" and "Ori," but it struggles with some execution issues that can detract from the experience.

    • “The gameplay focuses more on the platforming side with a heavy incentive on staying airborne and maintaining momentum.”
    • “The movement and aerial combat mechanics are wonderful when you learn to master them; at no point did it feel too frustrating in terms of difficulty or controls.”
    • “The gameplay is a mix of genre staples, with Hollow Knight probably having the most influence.”
    • “The gameplay is very repetitive as most of the mechanics aren't used for combat and the ones that are used for moving around the map have specific conditions making the ability feel like a key instead of an ability.”
    • “It’s just a shame the gameplay doesn't quite match that polish, with some loose movement and awkward level layouts that lead to more frustration than fun.”
    • “The gameplay is unique with the air combat; it's a very smart idea to build the whole game on this aspect, but it relies very heavily on the 'pogo' mechanic of hitting enemies and objects to reset your jump and dodge.”
  • graphics
    261 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning hand-drawn art style, vibrant colors, and fluid animations, often described as a beautiful blend of Japanese folklore aesthetics reminiscent of titles like Okami and Hollow Knight. Players appreciate the charming character designs and immersive environments, which contribute to the game's overall enchanting atmosphere. However, some critiques mention inconsistencies in character designs and minor graphical issues, but these do not significantly detract from the overall visual experience.

    • “The art style and visuals are a 20/10; whoever made the graphics and art for this game is amazing and needs a raise.”
    • “The graphics give the game a distinct aesthetic that adds a sense of personality, charm, and depth to the characters and environment that you would not see with the use of higher realistic graphics.”
    • “The artwork is absolutely beautiful, and it was a delight to simply look at the game while playing.”
    • “I can't really get over the inconsistent art style on the characters.”
    • “I didn't really see any change in the graphics from low to ultra, and my main peeve is the thin jagged pixel staircase on the main character as well as some NPCs. A lot of the art and designs are amazing, but the inconsistency between bold outlined backgrounds and super thin is a bit jarring.”
    • “If you look past the graphics and art style, the game doesn't really have anything good or new to offer.”
  • story
    249 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it charming and engaging, particularly appreciating its ties to Japanese mythology and folklore. However, many critiques highlight its simplicity and predictability, with several players expressing frustration over tedious fetch quests, particularly the "fragile egg" quest, which detracts from the overall experience. While the narrative is not groundbreaking, it is often described as enjoyable and well-integrated with the game's art and gameplay, making it a pleasant, if not profound, journey.

    • “The story is enjoyable and lets you read as much or as little of it as you want as you progress.”
    • “The story was enjoyable and it was cool to see mentions of a lot of Japanese mythology that you may have learned about by playing any Japanese games and/or watching anime.”
    • “The story is charming, featuring delightful encounters in a world slowly consumed by a mysterious evil.”
    • “The story feels rushed, and while the gameplay is fun, something about it feels a little bit off.”
    • “The story barely makes any sense; there's a lot copied from other games (mostly Hollow Knight and Ori and the Will of the Wisps).”
    • “I did not care about the story or the characters or the world, and that's because so much of the lore is dumped in flying text scrolls and you spend the entire game following orders and/or completing fetch quests.”
  • music
    189 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its fitting integration with the game's visuals and themes, particularly those inspired by Japanese mythology. While some players noted that the soundtrack could feel sparse at times, the majority found it captivating and memorable, contributing significantly to the game's charm and emotional impact. Overall, the combination of stunning art and a well-crafted musical score makes for an engaging and immersive experience.

    • “The art and soundtrack are both absolutely beautiful, and the movement (once understood) is top notch.”
    • “The music is wonderful, and I really liked the characters (Asahi, in particular).”
    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal, beautiful art style, fun and engaging combat; it's a really good game.”
    • “The music was okay.”
    • “If anything, I wanted more music in this game as it felt a bit sparse at times, especially in the first biome.”
    • “Music: the soundtrack, to me, is nothing to write home about.”
  • grinding
    49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly in the later stages where repetitive platforming and boss encounters detract from the experience. While some appreciate the upgrade systems and exploration tools, many express dissatisfaction with the excessive need for grinding and the lack of variety in challenges, leading to a sense of monotony. The game's design choices often result in long, drawn-out sequences that can feel punishing rather than rewarding.

    • “Completion and collectibles research is not tedious, as the game includes some in-game tools to help locate them.”
    • “Last thing the game needed was grinding.”
    • “The last 1/3 of this game just felt like they swapped gears and said what if we made the game tedious instead of fun to pad out some numbers.”
    • “Now for the bad, the last two or three areas transitioned to being 70-80 percent tedious platforming, with little of anything else, making the last few hours a complete slog and completely ruining the nice mix that had been there before.”
  • character development
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the character development in the game is highlighted by exceptional character design and artistic style, with many players praising the memorable and unique designs of both playable characters and NPCs. However, there is a consensus that while the aesthetics are impressive, the depth of character development and lore is lacking, with some characters exhibiting similar dialogue styles that detract from their individuality. The game's visual appeal and engaging environments are noted as strong points, but players should not expect profound character arcs or intricate storytelling.

    • “The art, the cut scenes, the character design, all of it is simply masterful.”
    • “With a unique and distinct art style that stands out from the crowd, further boasted by the amazing character designs not only for the main character but all the NPCs and bosses as well.”
    • “Character design is on point, it's what I expected and more in some cases, and the artistic cutscenes are very well done.”
    • “Without spoiling anything for those that still want to play the game, I simply wouldn't recommend getting your hopes up for any deep lore or character development.”
  • atmosphere
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, captivating art style, and immersive music, which together create a dreamy and tranquil experience reminiscent of Japanese yokai and kami. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend aesthetic beauty with fluid gameplay, making it a visually and audibly enchanting journey. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, elevating the game's appeal and providing a memorable backdrop for its challenges.

    • “Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a stunning metroidvania with a dreamy atmosphere, breathtaking art, and fluid gameplay.”
    • “The music not only enhances the atmosphere but also adds a unique layer of personality to the world and its inhabitants.”
    • “Unique and beautiful art with atmospheric and memorable music that really pulls it all together.”
    • “The visuals are near perfect and the atmosphere is spot on, but sadly the gameplay side of things can't quite match it.”
    • “I enjoyed its distinctive art style and tranquil atmosphere.”
    • “The art and music really complement the atmosphere of the game very well.”
  • emotional
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game emotionally impactful, particularly praising its touching story and satisfying gameplay mechanics that enhance the overall experience. While many appreciate the emotional depth, some feel that certain scenes lack the necessary build-up to fully resonate. Overall, the game is described as charming and challenging, with a strong sense of achievement upon completion.

    • “The story is really touching, even though I wish the ending had a bit more depth.”
    • “Delightfully charming, challenging, and emotional.”
    • “Overall, one of the best metroidvanias I've played in 2024 and one of the few that made me feel a true sense of achievement once I beat it!”
  • humor
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the funny dialogue and quirky character interactions, particularly the cute and humorous side characters like the teal fox. While some find the casual tone of voice in serious contexts to be a bit cringe-worthy, the overall writing and comedic elements contribute to an enjoyable experience, complemented by beautiful artwork and engaging gameplay.

    • “Borrows elements from great games like Hollow Knight and Ori to make a great blend with tight controls, great combat and platforming, and a sense of humor with great writing.”
    • “Very funny to play!”
    • “Then add all of that to gorgeous artwork, fantastic music, truly funny writing, and devs that are listening to the player base to improve the game for everyone; this game is so severely underrated.”
    • “Otherwise, it's a great metroidvania so far; so immersed in Japanese mythology, it's not funny.”
    • “The humor falls flat and feels forced, detracting from the overall experience.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but the jokes are stale and uninspired.”
  • stability
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is generally criticized for being buggy, particularly with core mechanics like the grappling hook, which fails about 50% of the time. While some players report minor visual glitches and clunky controls, others note that the game runs well on certain platforms and has improved features like cloud saves. Overall, the stability issues can detract from the experience, leading some to recommend waiting for fixes before purchasing.

    • “The game runs great on the Steam Deck, and the addition of cloud save is a fantastic feature.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the game is; I haven't encountered any crashes or major bugs.”
    • “The performance is smooth, and the stability really enhances the overall gaming experience.”
    • “One of the core movement abilities, the grappling hook, is extremely buggy with incorrect behavior in ~50% of uses.”
    • “I assume this won't get fixed if it's still this buggy half a year after launch, so probably hold off on buying.”
    • “Kinda clunky, kinda buggy, kinda dull unfortunately.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers limited replayability due to its short length of around 12 hours, but it can appeal to achievement hunters with challenging tasks that may enhance replay value for some players. While the core experience may not encourage multiple playthroughs, the presence of difficult challenges can either frustrate or motivate players to revisit the game.

    • “If you are an achievement hunter, you better prepare. While story-related achievements are not that hard, the game also has its fair share of tough challenges (beat the game without healing, beat the game without dying), which can either frustrate you to no end or boost the replayability, depending on your perspective.”
    • “This game has a lot of replayability.”
    • “It's a bit short (12h for me) and has very little replayability, but I'd recommend it for sure over any other game in the endless metroidvania clone market.”
    • “If you are an achievement hunter, you better prepare. While story-related achievements are not that hard, the game also has its fair share of hard challenges (beat the game without healing, beat the game without dying), which can either frustrate you to hell or boost the replayability, all depending on you.”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is mixed; while it performs well with smooth framerates and quick loading times, particularly on the Steam Deck, it struggles with 32:9 aspect ratio support, leading to potential frustration for players.

    • “Finally, there's performance, and here the game was stellar with incredibly smooth framerates (on Steam Deck too, from what I've heard) and fast loading times, even on an HDD.”
    • “The game works in 32:9, but it is definitely not optimized, and you will find yourself frustrated at times.”
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16h Median play time
14h Average play time
8-22h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Bo is a action adventure game.

Bo is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 14 hours playing Bo.

Bo was released on July 17, 2024.

Bo was developed by Christopher Stair.

Bo has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Bo is a single player game.

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