Bastion is an indie game that really takes a different perspective on the way an action-RPG is played. With 2D meets 3D environments and vivid graphics, this game is a visual treat, and that’s only skin deep.
Let’s start with what you won’t see in Bastion. You won’t see complex skill trees, massive dragons or weapons with cheesy tuff-as-nails names [I’m looking at you Battleaxe of Hatred]. There are no quests that have you escorting characters with lesser intelligence than that sock that you dropped under your dresser three years ago. The lack of these things already puts Bastion head and shoulders above the competition, but the features that were added in by Supergiant games make Bastion a truly memorable game.
Waking up after the ambiguously named “Calamity,” you are The Kid, the protagonist of Bastion. After the calamity, the earth has been left in ruins. Remnants of the old world still endure, but barely. As The Kid, you are tasked with rebuilding the Bastion, a stronghold that has been damaged during the calamity, but not altogether destroyed.
The game takes you through many different levels including bogs, an abandoned resort, a dense forest and even a volcano. Following The Kid throughout the game is the gruff narrator, Rucks. His baritone voice actively narrates the player’s every move. Fell off the side of the level? “And then he fell to his death.” Just won a particularly tough battle? “Kid don’t go down that easy.” The addition of Rucks’ dynamic narration really makes Bastion come to life, giving the player the feeling of having an effect on the game world.
Level design is slick, with vibrant graphics and lively enemies. The goal of the normal missions is to get “cores” which allow the player to add a new building to the Bastion. The buildings give you access to upgrades for your character, and new tonics for special powers. An interesting addition is the shrine which allows you to collect idols that alter the difficulty of the game [similar to skulls in Halo]. During missions you collect fragments which serve as the in-game currency. You can use fragments to buy upgrades for your weapons, tonics, secret skills and idols.
The level design is where Bastion really shows its true ingenuity. The levels are 2D, filled with vibrant colors and wacky villains [just wait until you get attacked by an army of squirts]. The color is tastefully done, with a good amount of brightness where it is needed, but the color is ultimately underscored with certain levels of drab grey, showing that underneath this fun and carefree game, there is a very sad story fraught with death and and suffering. Ghostly figures populate the levels, standing there as a reminder of the terrible things that occurred during the Calamity.
Levels start out as a small island, and as you walk the ground materializes under your feet. This not only adds a cool dimension to the game, but it also gives the player a path to follow so they don’t get lost. While this can act as a good way to get your bearings when you enter the world of Bastion, it can lead to some precarious situations that leave the player cornered by enemies, faced with the choice of fighting back or falling off the ledge of the level [the only penalty is the loss of a small chunk of health].
Ultimately, Bastion is a breath of fresh air at a time where mediocre titles are constantly being churned out. While the story’s only real function is as a backdrop for the adventure, it doesn’t matter because this game is about the journey, not the destination. Indie developer Supergiant Games really created something amazing with their first title. Bastion is available on the Xbox marketplace for 1,200 Microsoft points, and it is available for PC on Steam for $14.99.
Overall: A+
Story: While it could have been a bigger part of the overall game, the lack of a very concrete story only detracts from the game a little bit.
Gameplay: The constant clicking can get a bit repetitive, but this is redeemed by the variety of weapons and upgrades for weapons. The tonics and special skills add some cool combinations that can be very effective if used correctly.
Graphics: Superb. The lively art style and breathtaking level design show that a game doesn’t have to be made on the latest greatest engine to be excellent.
Sound: The sound effects never get old, and the music is sure to leave the player seriously considering dropping the $10 for the official sound track. With a beautiful score and cool sound effects topped off with the surly voice of Rucks, Bastion delivers as much sonically as it does visually.
Replay Value: After finishing the game, the player is presented with the option of New Game+ which allows you to carry over your character along with all the weapons and upgrades from the first playthrough. This alone gives Bastion a huge replay value.
