Pros: Bastion is an action RPG that takes place in a lush and beautiful world shattered by what is called the "Great Calamity". You play as "the...
Cons: As beautiful the game is, sometimes the scenery blends in too well with other game elements and you'll find yourself rolling right off the...
Pros: Bastion is an action RPG that takes place in a lush and beautiful world shattered by what is called the "Great Calamity". You play as "the Kid" who seems to be the sole survivor of this catastrophe, left to rebuild his broken world. However, he is guided by "the Narrator" who announces the Kid's every triumph and downfall. The Narrator brings storytelling in a game to all new heights and it is executed perfectly in this game. There is never a dull moment in Bastion with his witty commentary and sultry voice.
This game is all about the action with a slight RPG element to it. Equipped with two weapons and a special attack, the Kid must make his way collecting shards to rebuild his world. There are a variety of weapons to collect and the ability to customize your load-out and upgrade them allows you to tailor-fit the game to your fighting style. Leveling up also unlocks passive abilities for you to choose from. There are also 'mods' to unlock at the Temple, which ramp up the difficulty in the game. The more mods you have turned on, the greater the reward in experience and in-game currency. With so many things to customize in the game, it's hard for any single level to be the same if you like to switch up your weapons.
The presentation of this game is simply superb. From the gorgeous menus to easy to pick up and play controls, Bastion is a highly polished game. I could not help but gawk at the detail and artistic elements of the world and its scenery. It can be best described as playing in a watercolor wonderland. As you progress through the stages, the world is built right before you and makes for some very breathtaking scenes. And what of the music? Bastion's soundtrack is also done very well! When the upbeat tempo of the background music starts raring, you know you're in for a brutal fight.
Cons: As beautiful the game is, sometimes the scenery blends in too well with other game elements and you'll find yourself rolling right off the level like a doomed lemming.
Although the Narrator's commentary is neat and all, some may find it annoying at times. I know during some moments, I felt that he was mocking me...
Also, the inability to play levels again is a letdown. You'd have to beat the game and play on a new difficulty to enjoy the game again.