In a game landscape filled with ambitious projects, Bō: Lotus Sarcelle path By Squid Shock Studios stands out with its unique mixture of charming art and drawn by hand and sincere narration. Released at a tumultuous moment for the game industry (editor humble game included), the themes of the game of fragility and the ephemeral nature of life feel particularly relatable.
As the credits were driving, I couldn’t help but think about how even the most beautifully manufactured worlds, like those of Bō: Lotus Sarcelle pathRemind us of the impermanence that permeates life and industry that gives life to these worlds.
A journey through myth and legend
Located in a duly colorful and hand -drawn world inspired by Japanese folklore, Bō: Lotus Sarcelle path Present to the players a richly imagined universe where the supernatural and the intersecting whimsical. You play as the holder Bō: A tempihana, or spiritual blessed by the gods. Bō proposes to help the different spirits dispersed through the earth,, Gather Foxfire (the currency of the game) along the way.
Téstaihana are mystical beings that flourish plants nourished by the tear of a god, each taking the form of an animal – in the case of Bō, a kitsune or a fox. These beings would have been born out of pain, intended to fulfill a specific objective. Although the identity of the god who cried and created Bō remains a mystery, the arrival of Bō in the crimson bamboo forest of the Sakura kingdom coincides with a time of great turmoil.
The feeling of imminent unhappiness is symbolized very early when you testify to a bad omen – a colossal shadow of a skeletal demon walking in a disturbing way through the background. As Bō, you are looking to discover the source of the different tragedies that torment the Kingdom of Sakura. Along the way, you meet other Tresihana, each on a unique mission, further deepening the meaning of a world where tragedy and fate are intertwined.
The artistic direction is magnificent, with lively sets that look meticulously drawn by hand on textured paper, capturing the essence of traditional Japanese ink paintings. A diversified distribution of characters lives in the world, from exuberant sumo wrestlers to solitary souls in search of comfort in giant tea kettles. Each drops with style and creativity.
Explore the world of Bō
Bō: Lotus Sarcelle path Excels in the construction of the world beyond simple visuals. The missions are divided between three main clans – the kitsune, kabuto and tengu – each with distinct cultural identities. While you explore, you will discover the ancient rolls that reveal the tradition of the earth, adding depth to the story of the game.
A significant highlight was the intelligent game platform puzzles, which push the player further into the magnificent world. Although some of the leverage puzzles can be frustrating, these moments are offset by the satisfaction of resolving complex challenges, especially when using the game’s slingshot mobility mechanism. Puzzles are used to add layers to the progression and encourage players to look for treasures.
I loved the way the game manages collectibles. Each element that you find – from Kodama (spirits) to various raw materials – makes an objective, whether it is to upgrade your teapot (which is used to restore health) or to build new buildings in the city from Sakura. There is no frivolous hob or stocks to pass through, nor a skill tree overwhelming to manage. The emphasis remains on a significant progression, keeping the gameplay rationalized and rewarding.
The only place where the world is drunk is with the rapid travel system of the game. It is quite limited, which often means long hikes between the areas previously visited until you are easier to unlock the quick travel points. To accelerate the game, I mainly equipped Bō de Charmes – another basic food Metroidvania – which grants the holder of the ability to move and attack faster. You can change the charms of the altars, which is essential to succeed in fighting.
Dance with Daruma Allies
Combat Bō: Lotus Sarcelle path is a dance and timing dance. Your main weapon is your Equinox staff, who doubles an elegant earring. The attacks are slow and deliberate but can be adjusted according to the charms you use. You can also upgrade the attacking power of staff.
But the strength of the game is its air fight, clearly influenced by Hollow knight. It has a refreshing turn, where each successful attack in the air grants you an additional jump, building a combined counter that feeds your special weapons over time. These powers, represented by the allies of Daruma, are what has really put the fight of Bō: Lotus Sarcelle path Apart from other metroidvanias.
You can adapt your approach to each boss meeting by tilting between your Daruma. These eight Daruma charismatic dolls, available on the fly through a wheel wheel, offer a variety of attacks and effects. For example, the Chomber Daruma, with its large scanning bites, is perfect for eliminating the waves of small enemies, while the Ken Daruma, who acts like a ninja star, excels during more stationary boss fights. I relied on different Daruma depending on the bosses I faced, which makes each battle unique and enriching.
The accent put by the game on the air combat maintains the fresh action, but Bō‘S fight is not without defects. Although regular enemies often require meticulous planning, I found the bosses surprisingly easy to ship, except for the final boss, a formidable opponent with several steps and unique attack models that will test your skills and patience. The platform course to reach these bosses was often more difficult than the battles themselves, which led to anticlimatic moments.
Impermanence in an impermanent industry
While I was traveling around the world of Bō: Lotus Sarcelle pathI could not ignore the strange parallels between the themes of the loss of the game and the Shapeless “no stop” From Humble Games, the publisher behind this title.
Immediately After humble layoffsSquid Shock – A development team for two people trained by Chris Stair and Trevor Youngquist – thanks to the employees of Humble Games and stressed that the cuts had not affected the staff of their studio. However, this does not mean that the duo was unscathed. The studio common That humble changes meant that they “lost access to the pipeline of critical systems without warning”.
The situation throws a shadow on the future of industry, as well as that of Bō. In a declaration By thinking about the two difficult weeks since the launch on July 17, Squid Shock shared that they wanted to continue their work, with or without the financial support on which they had counted since humble. To propel these efforts, they have Make a patarian To help finance future content.
Over the past two years, the game industry has been shaken up by waves of layoffs With talented individuals suddenly finding themselves without work. It is a reminder that, a bit like the world of BōEven the most dynamic creations are subject to the harsh realities of impermanence.
Final reflections
Bō: Lotus Sarcelle path is a beautifully designed metroidvania which captivates with its engaging gameplay, mixing Japanese folklore with a comforting story. Although there are moments when the rhythm of the game stumbles – especially during some of the most punishment sections – the global experience is enriched by its charming characters, its magnificent art and its reflected themes. The conclusion of the game, the reflections on the fragility of life and the ephemeral nature of beauty, persists long after the roll of credits.
Despite its faults, the approximately 12.5 hours I spent Bō: Lotus Sarcelle path were delicious. The solid fight of the game, the construction of the complex world and the emotional narration make it a must for fans of the gender metroidvania And whoever admires the art itself.
Score: 8.3 / 10
Bō: Turreur Lotus path, Developed by Squid Shock Studios and published by (The Now-All-But-Debunct) Humble Games, is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X / S, Nintendo Switch, PC and Mac. PDSF: $ 19.99.
Warning: An examination code was provided by the publisher.
