Bo: Path Of The Teal Lotus Nintendo Switch Review!

Introduction

Introduction

A handful of small Indie developers working on a passion project Metroidvania that receives a huge Kickstarter certainly sounds familiar. "Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus" has certainly caught my eye when it was first showcased by developer Squid Shock Studios and publisher Humble Games. With its beautiful Japanese woodblock-inspired artwork and reflections of Japanese culture, it begs the question: Have Christopher Stair and Trevor Youngquist created something magical or is it simply a hollow knockoff of familiar titles? Welcome back to Switch Up! My name's Mark Walker, and now let's find out.

Story

The story begins in a subtle and enchanting way. You play as Bo, seemingly sent by an ethereal origin, blooming from a blossom to begin an adventure and uncover the secrets of the mysterious Teal Lotus. The game is steeped in Japanese folklore, with many of the creatures you face reflecting this cultural influence. Throughout the game, you will meet various characters offering quests, some of which may be self-serving, to push you along in your adventure.

Gameplay

Initial Impressions

Gameplay-wise, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus feels oh-so-familiar to fans of the genre. What struck me first was the relatively mild tutorial. It teaches the basics like jumping and using a couple of mechanics but leaves some of the discovery to the player. In an era of excessive handholding, this approach was refreshing.

Mechanics

You start with a weapon that gradually gets upgraded, allowing you to jump, perform an air dash, and capture projectiles to fire back using twin-stick controls. Attacking enemies or hitting objects keeps you afloat, effectively working as a double jump. The best action platformers create an impeccable sense of flow, and this game comes close once you unlock the dash move.

Exploration and Map Design

As with any good Metroidvania, expect a large map with hidden areas and a certain initial freedom. However, the game ranges from non-linear to linear in later stages. This seems to be by design to teach you certain mechanics. You might encounter barriers that require backtracking to break using creatures that you've encountered earlier. Collectibles, secret areas, and upgrade materials offer plenty of reasons to explore.

Combat and Boss Fights

Shrines not only restore health but allow you to equip powerups called Omori. Boss fights are generally well-designed with nearby checkpoints mitigating frustration. Successful moments are satisfying, although some challenge spikes can seem unfair.

Criticisms

The game does have its frustrating moments, especially with unforgiving platforming sections. There's a segment early on where any mistake can send you back to the start, which feels like cheap difficulty scaling. Thankfully, it doesn’t occur often enough to ruin the experience.

Presentation

Visuals

The game's visuals draw heavily from the traditional Japanese art form, "ukiyo-e". It's laden with depth-of-field effects and parallax scrolling, making the world visually delightful. The game aims to run at 60 FPS in both docked and handheld modes, though it does experience some fluctuations.

Audio

The game’s sound effects are superb, with a delightful ASMR-like sound when restoring health. The soundtrack is equally impressive, utilizing traditional instruments to create a unique auditory experience.

Value

Priced at £6.99 and about 2.9 gigs to download, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus offers an impressive package for such a small developer team. Expect to finish the main story in about 8 hours, with 100% completion taking closer to 18 hours.

Conclusion

Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is a very good game that occasionally stumbles through frustrating sections and some formulaic design choices but remains enjoyable with its enchanting world, interesting characters, and most importantly, fun gameplay.

Thanks to our Patreon supporters, members, and everyone who enjoys our content. Let me know in the comments if this is a game you’re keeping your eye on. A special thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

For all things Switch, all the time, keep it Switch Up. Cheers, guys! See you next time!

Keywords

• Metroidvania
• Indie Developers
• Squid Shock Studios
• Humble Games
• Japanese Folklore
• Platformer
• Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus

FAQ

Q: What is the premise of Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus? A: The story follows Bo, an ethereal being, who blooms from a blossom and sets out on an adventure to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Teal Lotus.

Q: How long does it take to complete the game? A: The main story takes approximately 8 hours to complete, but achieving 100% completion extends this to around 18 hours.

Q: What type of gameplay mechanics does the game offer? A: The game features traditional platforming elements, including jumping, air dashing, a weapon that upgrades, and twin-stick projectile capturing and firing.

Q: How does the game handle difficulty and exploration? A: The game strikes a balance between exploration and linear progression. Some challenging sections can be unforgiving, but overall, the difficulty is fair and enjoyable.

Q: What are some standout features in terms of audio and visuals? A: The game’s visuals are inspired by traditional Japanese ukiyo-e art, and the soundtrack utilizes traditional instruments for a captivating auditory experience.

Q: Are there any notable technical issues? A: The game aims for 60 FPS, though there are occasional dips in performance. However, these don’t significantly impact the overall experience.