Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is one of those games that grabs you right away with its striking art style and folkloric charm. What’s surprising is how much depth hides beneath its serene surface. Developed by Squid Shock Studios and published by Humble Games, this indie platformer blends myth-inspired storytelling with fluid, acrobatic gameplay. What looks like a living scroll painting often shifts into a skill-testing adventure. I expected something meditative — what I found was a mix of beauty and bite.
Overall Impressions
I started Bō expecting a calm exploration game. Instead, I left impressed, slightly breathless, and glad I played it. This feels like a love letter to hand-drawn platforming with a mythic heart — but it’s not always gentle on your thumbs. The movement stood out most. It’s slick, floaty, and tuned for acrobatics, making traversal a joy. Combat feels lively and rewarding once you click with it. The world carries a folktale vibe that ties it all together.
Where it stumbles is pacing and difficulty. Some boss fights spike too suddenly, and certain moments expect mastery of new tools too quickly. If you want a pure chill stroll, you won’t always find it here. But if you like graceful platforming with a sharp edge, it’s a charming pick. Fans compare it to Hollow Knight, and I see why — though Bō leans more toward platforming and aerial finesse than deep RPG systems.
Game Mechanics
Movement is the headline here. Jumping, air-dodging, wall runs, and the extra mystical abilities you unlock all combine to make traversal feel like a dance. I had many little “ooh that felt good” moments flinging myself through gaps, chaining moves, or narrowly avoiding a boss attack mid-air. The controls are responsive and polished for the most part — it’s obvious the devs focused on how the character moves.
Combat is fast and rewarding when you learn enemy patterns. The aerial focus makes fights feel dynamic: you’re often zipping around, countering from different angles. Mystical abilities add cool variety without overwhelming you.
That said, the game occasionally trips over its own ambition. A few puzzle sections demand very precise timing and movement that feel closer to trial-and-error platforming than relaxed puzzle-solving. Some players noted (and I agree) that the speed settings don’t always soften those tense moments; even on slower settings boss fights still feel speedy and unforgiving. If you’re not experienced with precision platformers, you may have moments of real frustration. I ran into a few difficulty spikes that stopped my cozy groove and made me put the controller down to breathe.
Story and Characters
The story leans into Japanese folklore, giving the game a distinct tone. You play a character seeking their origin across a world of spirits, temples, and strange landscapes. The narrative stays subtle and atmospheric, which I enjoyed.
Characters appear with purpose, not fanfare. Spirits and NPCs add mystique and personality in short beats. The story isn’t complex, but it’s memorable for the mood it sets. Environments, snippets of dialogue, and visual design hint at history without spelling it out, rewarding players who like piecing things together.
Visuals and Graphics
This game is gorgeous. The hand-drawn 2.5D visuals are the star — richly colored backgrounds, flowing character animations, and an art style that feels like a living scroll. Every environment has its own palette and mood, and the way enemy and character designs pull from folklore gives the whole experience a timeless, storybook feeling.
Performance was smooth in my playtime, and the animation sells both quiet exploration and chaotic combat. It’s one of those games where you’ll pause just to look at a scene, and honestly, the visual charm alone is worth a try.
Sound and Music
The soundtrack is subtle, dreamy, and perfectly matched to the visuals. Music swells for big moments, then retreats to let you focus on platforming. Sound effects — from whooshing dodges to the satisfying clash of attacks — add a tactile feel to every move. There’s not much voice acting (and that’s fine here); the music and sound design do the heavy lifting for atmosphere. If you like cozy, folk-inspired audio that supports rather than steals the show, Bō hits the mark.
Difficulty and Replayability
This is where opinions will split. If you love skill-based platformers and boss fights that ask you to be sharp, you’ll enjoy the challenge. The game encourages mastery of movement and abilities — and when you finally nail a boss phase, it’s very satisfying. But if you’re newer to the genre or want something consistently mellow, be prepared for a few teeth-clenching sections.
Replayability is decent but not endless. The world is interconnected enough that replaying routes with different approaches is fun, and there are abilities and secrets to go back for. Some players mentioned the game is a little short; I agree it doesn’t overstay its welcome. For me, it left me satisfied but wanting more — which is a nice place to be.
Trivia and Developer Notes
Bō was developed by indie studio Squid Shock Studios and published by Humble Games, releasing on July 17, 2024. The game leans heavily on Japanese folklore influences and a hand-drawn aesthetic — a creative choice that really pays off. Reviews have been Very Positive overall, and you’ll see comparisons to Hollow Knight mostly around exploration and art direction, though Bō focuses more on platforming finesse than RPG depth.
Final Thoughts
Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a lovely, graceful platformer with beautiful art, tight movement, and a mythic atmosphere that pulls you in. It’s not always forgiving, and a few difficulty spikes and precise puzzles might push some players away. If you enjoy skillful platforming, soaring aerial combat, and cozy visuals with a bit of edge, this is absolutely worth your time.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Would I recommend it? Yes — especially to players who like nimble movement and story-rich worlds. If you’re new to the genre, just know there are moments that will test your patience, but there’s a lot of joy to be found once you get into the flow.
