What if, for every single action you perform in a game, someone was behind you, keeping an record. Almost like a play-by-play commentator. Or, better yet, a scribe, recording every koopa kick and no-scope headshot for future generations to applaud. It would make everything you do, even the most basic things, feel a bit more important, wouldn't it? "Bastion" is all about making you feel more important.
THE BASICS
Created by indie developer Supergiant Games, "Bastion" is an action RPG set after an apocalypse. Unlike the dark browns of the "Fallout" apocalypse, though, the world of "Bastion" is rampant with color. You take on the roll of The Kid, a white-haired, hammer-wielding silent type who is attempting to set things right. Helping you along the way is a stranger with a Wild West twang who seems to know more than he's letting on.
The gameplay feels like a blend of "Zelda" meets "Diablo," with hacking, slashing and character customization using a handful of gear and upgrades.
THE HIGHS
A Living (Dead) Painting
Even though "Bastion" takes place after an apocalyptic event, the world still looks beautiful and untouched. The Kid must explore abandoned markets, flora-infested parks and scalding volcanos in order to set things right, and every single environment is suitable for framing. The world has a hand-painted look which extends to the characters, both friendly and antagonistic. It's the sort of world you'd want to live in...were it not for all the people being dead.
Narrating An Epic Journey
The most unique feature in "Bastion" is the narrator, who recites your actions as if he's reading from an ancient tome written generations after the events of the game. That might seem like it's distracting or obnoxious, but I can assure you, the narrator adds an element of importance to every action. Every quest completed or boss felled feels like another epic chapter in this tale of redemption, giving your actions weight. Special attention should be given to the excellent voice work from Logan Cunningham as the Sam Elliot-esque stranger.
Character Customization For The RPG Newbie
"Bastion" has around a dozen weapons, from ranged bows to fast machetes to flamethrowers. Each of these weapons can be customized using in-game currency, but upgrades are easy to understand. Would you prefer faster reload time or more damage per shot, for example? The same simplicity extends to character customization. Tonics can be equipped which allow you to heal yourself when attacking the enemy or to deal more damage when reflecting attacks with your shield. If you've never played an RPG before, this is a great place to start.
Variable Difficulty
"Bastion" does not have difficulty settings. What it does have are gods. Almost like skulls in "Halo," gods make the game harder in a variety of ways. One might increase the speed of enemies while another might cause enemies to randomly parry attacks. If you find the game too easy, just equip more gods. There are 10 to find and every one you equip increases the amount of experience and money you earn, so there's a reason to really challenge yourself. This sort of hand-tuned, variable difficulty is something I'd love to see done in more games.
THE LOWS
Repetition In Combat
If there's a drawback, it's that I didn't really feel like the combat ever evolves much throughout the game. Although certain weapons add variety in the way you target and aim, I couldn't help but feel like I was doing the same thing (bashing enemies or killing them at range) over and over again. The mechanics are sound, but relatively unchanging, so you see most of what the game has to offer early on.
THE VERDICT
The action RPG genre has received very little attention on XBLA, so the arrival of "Bastion" is great news indeed. Visually and aurally, it's one of the strongest games on the platform, with an intriguing story and world I wouldn't mind moving to. It's not to be missed.