Bastion
[PC-Windows]Wiki
A narrative driven action RPG, Bastion brings along with it pleasing aesthetics and characters you can easily connect with. Dedication and effort of a handful of game developers created a game that can hold its own against AAA titles in terms of art, game mechanics, and engaging story.
Story - 9.0/10
Most of the old "hero saves the world" story elements are present, but instead of saving the world, Kid is given the task of fixing it. That's not a bad thing entirely, since this old formula was presented quite skillfully. As you try to fix The Calamity, you aren't given specifics on the Kid's personality. The choices you make in-game reflect what kind of personality you want him to have. A protagonist along the lines of Gordon Freeman.
The next aspect that made the game a make-or-break for some people. It was the narrator's voice that really helped carry the story along throughout Bastion. Major themes and aspects of the game were mostly revealed through his voice. Most people found it soothing and ideal for the setting, while some get irritated or see it as intrusive. Regardless of what people think of the delivery, Logan Cunningham did a very thorough job with the narrator's voice.
Another thing worth mentioning is the pivotal scenes in the game. These were presented in a way that managed to get the player emotionally involved, with the help of some of the most amazing music I've ever heard in a video game.
Gameplay - 9.0/10
This game plays out the fight mechanics in a way that can be both skill-based and enjoyable. Pulling off a cool weapon combo in Bastion is a very gratifying experience. It pays to have proper technique in this game since you can't really rely on tanking similar to most MMORPGs. Although if you're really a defensive type, you can opt to master using the Bullhead Shield (which would be pretty damn impressive) as it automatically counters attacks if timed correctly.
I haven't managed to test out the full extent of how balanced the weapons were, but all of them were well capable of bringing down a small army of windbags when fully upgraded. Nothing more satisfying than carrying around something that would be classified as a mini nuke launcher IRL.
Graphics/Visuals - 9.5/10
Wow. Just look at those character designs, detailed blocks, and mighty fine backdrops. The art style used was something that blended quite well with Bastion's theme. It wouldn't have been the same game had they used a more serious art style.
Audio - 10/10
Where am I even gonna start with this one. It's just that the music was so damn good that it was basically the hand that dragged you into deeper immersion. It provided the game with heart-pounding and tear-jerking accompaniment that came along with a number of expertly created game scenarios. If Bastion were to be remembered in future gaming nostalgia threads, I'd bet one of the most popular comments would be how awesome the soundtrack was.
I would personally recommend this game to anyone. Even the younger gamers can enjoy Bastion without having to care about significant consequences, since an easy mode is available right from the start.
Get the game on Steam, GamersGate, Green Man Gaming, Impulse, or OnLive
Get the soundtrack here.
I would personally recommend this game to anyone. Even the younger gamers can enjoy Bastion without having to care about significant consequences, since an easy mode is available right from the start.
Get the game on Steam, GamersGate, Green Man Gaming, Impulse, or OnLive
Get the soundtrack here.
