Review of Bastion (PC)

Bastion: Breathtakingly beautiful yet deviously destructive.
By Devan La Spisa


If the jaw dropping visuals weren’t enough, this game takes the simple hack n’ slash genre and hones it to near-perfection leaving very little to be wanted. Unique is the key word here and Bastion does not hold back. Delivering a game that is not only told in fresh new style but relived in such a clever way that it's simply awe inspiring. The gameplay holds its own with a fluid combat system full of tense, white knuckle boss encounters and waves of enemies that will push your reflexes to their limits. Not skimping on the content either, Bastion serves up hours upon hours of levels and challenges to master. This game fails to disappoint, giving us many reasons to keep playing after the staff credits roll.


Story: 4/5
Now even though I wouldn’t say the story was the selling point for me when it came to Bastion, its not a negative by any means. You pretty much start off in your bed surrounded by nothing except the shattered fragments that use to be your room. The second you starting hitting the keys and take your first step a voice, that sounds like a cross between Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman, begins narrating your every move. From your wild swinging blows to when bosses try to take you down to even when you mess up and slip off the edge, this guy is telling it all. He is pretty good at it too, adding a cool almost spaghetti western-like flavor to the game as you fight your way through each stage. The overall premise of the story is that some massive Calamity hit your home and the only thing that can save it is this floating island called the Bastion (oh snap title drop). You somehow have this sprocket device on your back that allows you to travel throughout the world and collect shards that will return the land back to normal. So its up to you to go out and save your home from this horrid destruction while being advised by a very chill old man. Even though the tale starts out a bit slow it definitely picks up towards the end.


Gameplay: 4.5/5
Easily my favorite part of this game is the combat hands down! Its fast paced and adds to the enjoyment as opposed to just being something you do to get through the game. The controls handle very smoothly regardless if you are using the keyboard or a gamepad. There is no shortage of weapons either; since by the last level you have over a dozen to choose from. Everything from pistols and swords to even a  mortar cannon that could have been the cause of the Calamity in the first place. The ability to customize your arsenal and yourself as well with different upgrades and special abilities allows you to really craft your own personal combat style. Overall a very sweet package that makes battling your way through each level just as fun if not more then finding out what happens next in the story.

Graphics: 5/5
The amount of eye candy in this game is enough to give your pupils diabetes. With each step you unveil a beautiful kaleidoscope of color and detail not often seen in a low price indie title. But what makes the visuals so impressive is how they are implemented so smoothly into the game. Your world rises from the void below piecing itself together as you explore further into each area. Making you feel as if you are walking around a piece of art as the artist paints your world around you to suit your every need. Usually a game isn’t playable simply on the graphics alone but Bastion’s hand painted style is the exception to the rule. From start to finish you are being taken though this storybook world with each page more captivating than the last. If more games adapted Bastion’s style of art and creativity, I would be there to experience it in a heartbeat.


Overall: 4.5/5
Even if the beat em’ up is not your style there are many aspects to enjoy about this game. A visual masterpiece that requires little to no learning, just a love for fast paced high action gameplay. What makes this title really stick out is how every part of the game is so polished leaving very little room for anything to be truly lacking. The whole package weaves this epic tale that draws you in, giving players those heart pounding ‘How did I make it!?’ levels from start to finish. Even the price which currently sits at $15 on the steam network sweetens the pot. Making this not only affordable for most budgets but giving a game which offers a full price title worth of content for only a fraction of the cost. All in all if you’re thinking of getting this game then its about time you make that purchase. 


Rundown:

+   Beautiful hand painted graphics
+   Fast paced action driven gameplay
+   Low cost on Steam Network
+   High amount of customization options for weapon & character abilities
+   Simple learning curve
+   Lots of content and game plus mode gives replay value

-   Story a bit dry at some points