Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 80 | 62 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 84% | 77 | 855 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 79 | 27 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 88% | 81 | 149 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Apr 14, 2026) · 149 reviews sampled · 149 total reviews in window · weighted 109.3 up / 15.4 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (44)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 83
“Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a beautifully crafted Metroidvania that captivates with its engaging gameplay, blending Japanese folklore with a heartwarming story. While there are moments where the game's pacing stumbles, particularly during some of the more punishing platforming sections, the overall experience is enriched by its charming characters, gorgeous art, and thoughtful themes.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“But while the game at times demands a level of execution that its design doesn’t always facilitate, its frustrations are fleeting. They resemble the towering skeleton that stomps through its world, revealing themselves in bursts but largely sticking to the darkness, denting but not fully cracking the beauty, coziness, and wondrous sense of atmosphere that surround them.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is a game where charm meets challenge and a passion for Japanese culture is expressed with artistic flair. Its emphasis on platforming skill over exploration gives it a distinctive profile in the Metroidvania crowd and, while that might not be everyone's cup of tea, for many, the appeal will blossom like the trees in Sakura City.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“If it wasn’t for these pain points, Bō would be a game I wholeheartedly recommend to any fan of Metroid and its ilk, but they currently stand as severe detriments to the overall experience. I hope they’re things that can be ironed out with patches, because Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is positively dripping with love for the genre and deserves to be acknowledged for what it brings forth, not the concessions I must make regarding it. It took me roughly 16 hours to reach 100% completion, and I enjoyed 15 of those hours greatly. A brief conversation I had with someone on the marketing and community side of Squid Shock Studios vaguely pointed towards even more secrets to uncover or future content planned for the game, and I will likely jump back into Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus to experience those myself when and if they happen: but only because I know the worst is behind me.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is a visual marvel filled with interesting but, sadly, underdeveloped characters. It is a gorgeous game that can be very rewarding but also brutally hard and punishing, especially with its platforming puzzles and sequences that often lack balance.”
read full review ↗ - 79
“Sporting gorgeous visuals, and loads of style, but it can be quite demanding”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus wears its inspirations boldly, Hollow Knight in particular, but makes its unique mark in a delightfully crowded modern Metroidvania market. The platforming is difficult but the level design is creative. The boss fights are too long but encourage you to use what you've learned. There are UI issues but they don't occur often enough to ruin the game. The bridge section is brutal but shows an impressive confidence in the level design that persists until the end. The writing, art, and music are sublime. You should play this if you're a genre fan with more patience than me.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is one of the most beautiful games I have played. With great characters and a compelling story, it is sure to draw you in and challenge you.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The presentation in Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is immaculate and combat is satisfying, but inconsistent platforming sours the experience.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“While not a path best left untrodden, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is a title that struggles to find its way to its full potential.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In a crowded genre, Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, stands out with its wonderful hand-drawn visuals and rewarding platforming focused gameplay. The demanding difficulty won't be everyone's cup of tea, but for those after a challenge, it's well worth seeking out.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Though it features some of the best parts of modern metroidvania games, too often Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus is waylaid by its lack of direction and poor platforming.”
read full review ↗
The Punished Backlog
Slant Magazine
Nintendo Life
Paste Magazine
PLAY Zine
Nindie Spotlight
Checkpoint Gaming
GameGrin
Siliconera
GameLuster
TheSixthAxis
GameSpot…and 32 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch Notes v1.2.7Apr 14, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- v1.2.6 Update Patch NotesJan 24, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- v1.2.5 Update Patch NotesDec 8, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- v1.2.4 Update Patch NotesNov 30, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- v1.2.3 Update Patch NotesNov 17, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Major Free Content Update: The Tanuki Kabuki!Nov 13, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Version V1.1.7 UpdateNov 4, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Update Hotfix V1.1.5Sep 28, 2024
- Version 1.1.4 UpdateSep 15, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Version 1.1.3 UpdateAug 27, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Bo Plushie 2.0Aug 16, 2024
- Version 1.1.1 UpdateAug 16, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Version 1.1 UpdateAug 9, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.0.7 - Cloud Saves and Balance ChangesJul 29, 2024significant · resets scoring window