Bastion Review

[TheRocketeer]

The idea of letting you tinker with the difficulty on the fly to alter your rewards is one that I just love to death.

The first (and only) time I saw this was in The World Ends with You, and once I wrapped my head around it I stopped understanding why it wasn't a staple mechanic in any RPG that could make comfy use it.

Want to fight easy enemies? Fine! But they don't drop anything good. Want that rare item to drop every time? Well, if you can kill its carrier with 1/10th your normal health, have at it. Oh, you want the good stuff? Turn it up to Ultimate, and see if you can even survive.

A self-balancing mechanic that also eliminates wasted time and effort? Genius.

 

[Ipsen]

Kicking and screaming for this to reach the PSN. Noticed this a while back, and I'm glad to see it is received well.

 

[gigastar]

I didnt really pay attention to this game until now, but an interest in this style of gameplay sparked by Spiral Knights and compounded by its... several flaws means i would be happy to waste the latter quarter of my summer playing it.

Also its available on Steam for £11.49, money well spent if the feedback is to ring true.

 

[default]

I got chills watching this. It looks truly gorgeous.

PC version here I come! Hope it comes out as a retail version like Torchlight and Magicka, I always prefer it that way.

 

[Axelhander]

People who think this is like Diablo: it's not.

SRK member Boel, who is awesome btw, makes the following accurate observation (which I'm paraphrasing): it's like Zelda in a Diablo perspective.

My addendum: it's like Zelda in a Diablo perspective with a much heavier emphasis on combat and with little backtracking.

 

[OutforEC]

Hearing the voice I automatically thought of Wolverine, and just kept waiting for him to say "Bub", then i find out the voice actor's name is Logan? Priceless.

I'm sure it gets better as you play, but the over-dramatic narration with the Shatner-esque pauses just didn't do it for me.

 

[TsunamiWombat]

Can't say the gameplay or idea light me with fire but who was that girl singing?! That voice was amazing!

"Build That Wall (Zia's Theme)"
Lyrics by Darren Korb
Vocals: Ashley Barrett

 

[mikev7.0]

Excellent review Mr. Clouse! This time I agree whole heartedly. Bastion is an almost perfect game that I feel everyone will enjoy and get something out of the great (and beautiful) experience. Other than that your review covered it all. For only $15 I think Bastion will be seen as one of the best gaming values out there for quite awhile.

Also, I was just wondering, does price factor into your review scores?

 

[mikev7.0]

Edit: Not released until August 16 on Steam in the UK, it seems.

Same here in the states, was a bit of a bummer to see that it's not out yet. I was hoping I'd have something to keep my occupied for the weekend.

Wha? It's not? I live in the States and I bought it two days ago.... Does it matter which freakin' coast we live on now? (For the sake of debate I live on the left one.)

Also, is it true that it's not available for PSN? I sent my old roomate an e-mail about this and he has a PS3! Why wouldn't it be? He's gonna' hate me now because he loves him some good action RPG and Bastion is one of the best.

 

[leviadragon99]

Huh, I might just pick that up on steam then...

 

[Realitycrash]

Haha, the narrator sounds like the narrator from Fallout-series <3
"War. War never changes".

Edit: Looks a lot like Secret Of Mana/Evermore-ish, and it is JUST what I happen to be in the mood for. Will pick it up.

Edit edit: Only 15 bucks!? GIEF NAO!

 

[hipster666]

Can't say the gameplay or idea light me with fire but who was that girl singing?! That voice was amazing!

"Build That Wall (Zia's Theme)"
Lyrics by Darren Korb
Vocals: Ashley Barrett

Found the song at http://supergiantgames.bandcamp.com/track/build-that-wall-zias-theme but can't find anything on the woman herself? Strange to have such a haunting voice and virtually no online presence.

 

[Owlslayer]

Well it does look interesting, especially the music and the narrator.
I really ought to try it out.

 

[raankh]

pre-ordered for the EU release. This looks great!

 

[Croix Sinistre]

I'm definitely interested, I love gems like this. In fact, I pre-purchased it on steam already!

 

[Wieke]

Older vid but contains an interview with one of bastion's creators and shows quite a bit of gameplay.

Gameplay seems to be of the fast paced isometric platform style (dodging and timing seem to take a center stage). The narrator just sounds awesome, and is context driven.

(Preordered the steam version.)

 

[NKnight]

It's offical, I'm drooling! That's my next Steam purchase, for sure.

 

[The Cheezy One]

Anyone else reminded vaguely of the end run of Metro 2033?

 

[Jamous]

Looks pretty cool. Might check this one out.

Edit: Not released until August 16 on Steam in the UK, it seems.

Goddamnit 10 whole days? I wanna play it now.... It looks pretty good for definite though; like what I heard of the music, the mechanics looks pretty nice with the level changing about you etc. etc. and the Narrator sounds pretty cool.

 

[KeyMaster45]

Edit: Not released until August 16 on Steam in the UK, it seems.

Same here in the states, was a bit of a bummer to see that it's not out yet. I was hoping I'd have something to keep my occupied for the weekend.

Wha? It's not? I live in the States and I bought it two days ago.... Does it matter which freakin' coast we live on now? (For the sake of debate I live on the left one.)

Also, is it true that it's not available for PSN? I sent my old roomate an e-mail about this and he has a PS3! Why wouldn't it be? He's gonna' hate me now because he loves him some good action RPG and Bastion is one of the best.

I probably should have clarified I was saying that it's not out until the 16th on steam here in the states as well. Not that it's not out period.