(Game Review) Bastion

Time to read: 2 min read

Game Cover Game Cover

The Kid then falls to his death ... Just kiddin'

Platforms played on: Xbox 360, Mobile (iOS)

Review

I first played the game when it was released to Xbox Live Arcarde but didn't finish until 9 years later, when I downloaded it on a whim for my iPad.

The story is incredible; you play as the Kid, a silent protagonist who slowly unravel the mystery behind the Calamity which shattered the world. The game makes use of a (deep-voiced) narrator who provides real-time background information on the game world as well as on different events. The gritty narration made me feel like I was playing through a fantastical Western novel and made the story much more engaging.

The game is also beautiful, with gorgeous hand-painted environments and an amazing soundtrack.

Screenshot Beautiful Environment

The gameplay is very balanced; it's accessible enough for people who want to play just for the story, but is challenging enough for the game to be captivating even for hardcore gamers, such as the different challenge levels. The simple hack and slash mechanics with different weapons and abilities are also very forgiving but are still fun to play. There is no grinding (which I appreciate).

Conclusion

This game is very enjoyable and engaging and the mechanics work well together. This game also ports very well, as the iPad version played very smoothly. Bastion is a short game but it's a game which values quality over quantity.

Overall rating: 8.5

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