Title: Bastion
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Developer: Supergiant Games
Genre: Action RPG
Players: 1
Rated: E10+
Bastion is definitely an interesting game.
The big draw around it was the fact that the world built around you while the narration is shaped depending on what you do. While this is an interesting feature of the game, it’s still not the best feature.
The game focuses on the Kid after the events of the Calamity. Originally, the Kid tries to make it to the Bastion. However, you soon are trying to find Crystals and Shards to rebuild the Bastion.
The Crystals and Shards are hidden in various levels that open up as you progress. Each level has a unique feel and some kind of history behind it. However, not every level has a Crystal or Shard. Some contain characters that help advance the story, or some just contain items of interest.
As I said earlier, the biggest draw of the game has to be the Narrator. He follows your adventure, chronicling what you’re doing and what’s going on. However, it’s not as dynamic as you would be led to believe. The Narrator has set pieces of what he’s going to say, and does it in time with what’s going on. However, he’ll occasionally add in a quip about what you’re doing as you run through.
Even if it is set, it doesn’t take away from how amusing and engaging it is to hear it. There were times where I’d forget this and really think the story was moving along based on what I did. Supergiant Games did a great job with an engaging narrative that never got tired.
Another interesting feature of the game is how the world builds around you. There’s some solid areas already built, but the pathway between each area appears as you get close to walking over them. Sure, it’s still linear in where you can walk, but it’s a fun feature to see.
One annoyance does come up in these levels: the view. Sometimes, there will be pieces of scenery that obscures your view, leading to you walking off the level, damaging yourself in the process. It doesn’t happen often, but falling off the level can sometimes be the difference between life and death.
As far as gameplay goes, Bastion offers a solid action-RPG experience. While you may not have a ton of looting, the combat is solid and didn’t get stale to me. Combat is simple. You have two buttons, one for each weapon, a shield and special ability. You can also heal yourself with the health potions you carry around.
Outside of battle, there’s actually quite a bit to do in the Bastion. The Crystals you earn build new buildings, while Shards will upgrade them. Instead of just naming the buildings, I’m going to list them and explain a bit below.
Distillery: Equip spirits that give you passive abilities. You can equip more Spirits as you level up.
Arsenal: Change what weapons and special ability you have equipped.
Forge: Upgrade your weapons with items and currency you find. Each upgraded level has two types of upgrades to use and can be changed.
Shrine: Equip gods that can make enemies tougher but give more currency and experience.
Memorial: Gives extra currency for completing certain requirements, such as beating all proving grounds or showing skill with weapons.
Lost and Found: Standard shop. You can buy upgrade items, Spirits, gods and more here.
Besides these buildings, there are also people to talk to, animals that can live there and the Pipe. The Pipe will knock the Kid out, but will let him enter a dream world where he has to survive various waves of enemies.
In the full map, besides places to find the items you need there are also proving grounds to try. The grounds center on a specific weapon or the shield, and task you to beat a high score or use the least amount of shots. Depending on how well you do, you can take first through third place and get items to use or new abilities.
Besides Crystals and Shards, there are some other things you can find in levels as well. There are occasionally new weapons, such as a spear or a billow that launches flames, or ability to stumble across, as well as a memento that can be used to start conversations in the Bastion.
After beating the game, you can go back through in the New Game+ mode for those that want to fully complete everything and enjoy using what you’ve already earned.
Before I finish up, I want to mention the graphics. They really are impressive, and give me an old school vibe. Each level looks unique and is given its own life from the other levels. In addition, the music in the game is also solid. I caught myself humming along sometimes, remembering the main music the next day at work.
Pros
The Narrator is great to listen to.
Impressive art style.
Gameplay is simple to pick up and go.
Cons
Narration only gives impression of being dynamic.
Can’t really customize Bastion outside of placing buildings.
Weapons are automatically replaced when picked up.
The 411:
Overall, Bastion offers a great experience, even if the dynamic narration is a bit of smoke and mirrors. The gameplay is simple yet effective, and the plot is interesting to follow. The game is a solid start to the Summer of Arcade promotion.
Graphics
8.5
The graphic style is great to look at, and really well done. However, a bit more could be done to distinguish where the edges are.
Gameplay
8.0
The gameplay is solid, and never got repetitive to me. Plus, the levels are always interesting to see.
Sound
9.5
The Narrator and music is great. I just wish it was a bit more dynamic.
Lasting Appeal
9.0
There’s plenty of levels and proving grounds to do, plus the New Game+ to go back through.
Fun Factor
8.5
I really enjoyed my time in the Bastion. The sights and sounds were really worth the price of admission.
