Bastion

The "re-actively narrated action RPG" for XBOX live was released recently.

I watched my brother play it and I gotta say it's pretty cool.

Graphics 9/10 - Has an "anime" appeal, vibrant colors, fluid animations. The way the level "flies onto the screen" as you explore is an interesting take on design.

Music 8/10 - Sound effects are satisfying and the music is fitting. I found myself humming along with the tunes on occasion. Nothing mind-blowing here though.

Gameplay 8/10 - Note: Now, I didn't actually play it, but I watched my brother play it and I have enough video game experience under my belt to comment on what I saw.

The game is a standard hack-n-slash action adventure with an emphasis on hack-n-slash/action and, from what I've seen so far, a de-emphasis on adventure. The game appears linear (I have only witnessed the first few levels) so it could be less-linear than it initially appears.

You have a health bar, 3 health potion slots, 3 "special attack" (essentially Mana) slots, two weapon slots, and 1 "special attack" slot.

You have the ability to upgrade weapons (+crit, crippling effects, Damage over time effects, etc). You can also apply passive effects to your character like "+movement while defending." There's a solid amount of RPG growth and customization.

Narration 10/10 - There's a constant narration from an NPC that tells the story as you play it. You'll need to experience it to really understand. He comments on things going on and how you personally play the game. It's interesting and makes what would be a standard hack-n-slash into a stylistic story-book.

I recommend trying out the demo to get a feel for it. Definitely worth a free trial.

It's fun, and an especially nice feature that you unlock eventually is the shrine - it swear oaths to particular gods that make enemies (much) tougher in exchange for boosted xp and cash. It basically lets you make the game as hard as you want it... with all the idols I have at the moment active it went from really easy to very difficult. I think I'm going to have to adjust things slightly to find my sweet spot.

"The troper walked into the forum, ready to read what other people where saying about the recently released game he had heard so much about. He spoke not a word, but somehow the troper's excitement over the game's excellent-looking combat and exploration made it through."

"The troper knew he'd play the game. The only question was when... Xbox LIVE was extremely finicky for him now and he'd soon be leaving his home anyways, leaving the console behind. The troper silently waited for the PC release, training his reflexes in preparation for the time when the world woul rest on his shoulders."

Pure excellence.

I would say the same words of the game itself.

Finished it. Game got even better as you play through it. Story picks up a lot (aka conflict becomes more apparent and heavier as the game goes on).

Gameplay gets better too. The game opens up like 100 million small options for you to pick that allow you to make the game your own. It doesn't seem that any option is better than any others either, providing for all opportunities.

Although, the hammer is badass. Hammer and Bow.

Heh, funny - I've found that I really don't like the hammer as the game has gone on. The sheer variety of weapons is impressive, and the subtle differences between them - some are fairly similar, but with just enough to make them distinct - and the potential for further specialisation at the forge...

The thought of trying to complete the game with all the the idols active is horrible, though - I haven't even unlocked the full Shrine yet, and I couldn't play with the four idols I've unlocked active at once.

I just started a new game plus, and they give you the full idol selection.

If you learn to kite well, you'll never have an issue. I also never use anything but the sneaky-decoy. The escape mech is just too nice to pass up (for those sticky situations).

What are your favorite weapons?

Hmm, maybe I ought to try using the Decoy more.

I'm really not sure what my favourite weapons are, but I do like to keep changing them. I do like the Pike for the sheer reach it has. But I just prefer to keep changing my weapons and trying out new combinations.

Thinking about picking this up - would people here suggest I do so? The ad in X Box live says it "transcends video game storytelling" or some spiel like that, and I'm always looking for a game that tells stories in interesting ways.

Now open for pre-order on steam In other news the developers sales have skyrocketed from steam pre-orders alone.

Yahtzee reviewed this game He liked it.

I love this game. I've only played a few levels so far, but the combat has been pretty fluid, the enemies are varied and challenging and the narrator is awesome on toast. Seriously, buy this game if you can. It's well worth it.

Played it, loved it. I can't recommend this enough, the art is fantastic, the story is great, the gameplay is fun, and that narrator is just brilliant.

Also, because good art deserves your attention, here's Jen Zee's art blog. She did all the 2D art assets as well as item/monster/landscape concept design herself!

edited 18th Aug '11 12:43:09 AM by MayuZane

I'm just coming to the end of the second section, and the game's awesome. So glad I paid for the soundtrack too.

I like to use the Machete or Bellows for melee and used the Repeater for ages as my primary weapon, but now I'm mixing it up with different ranged ones.

The only thing I have a real problem with is the DAMN POUNCING ENEMIES.

Got a gamepad coming, cause this game is so much better suited to a controller than a keyboard/mouse combo.

^ You mean like the Lunkheads?

Yeah. They're... interesting.

Try the third Who Knows Where. You'll love it.

the 3rd "who knows where" made me rage

it took around 5 tries to do it, and my anger just kept building when for like the umpteenth time i had to clarify to 2 other people playing the game what i meant by "dream sequence that explains zulfs backstory." its astonishing just how easy it is to get things mixed up in this game when talking to other people

but anyway, that stage did not put me in the right mindset to go through the final stage. the scene with zulf at the end is the only thing that stopped me raging throughout the entire level

It took me about three tries to realize the key to Who Knows Where 3 was Squirt Bait, which is one of the most useful specials in the game, I just gotta say.

And never for a second believe that you can use the Decoys to do the same thing. You can't. The Decoys are terrible.

ive never used the squirt bait beyond the level you get it in

it just dont see the use with those kinda things most the time. had to rely heavily on the musket, counter and calamity cannon scatter skill.

edited 23rd Aug '11 6:08:06 PM by Tarsen

They kill on the Who Knows Where levels, as they distract enemies, can take care of themselves surprisingly well before dying (they have a surprising about of health and deal a decent amount of damage), and as a result they stick around for a while while also acting semi-autonomously.

The distraction + the health bit really make them a godsend in certain situations.

In Who Knows Where 3, they make finishing the last few waves, which are really hard, a breeze. Especially the last one, with the suped up Ura. Gave me trouble before, but then on my fourth playthrough I was using Squirts. Saved three of them for the last wave, and bam! The squirts practically finished off everything themselves, and the ones that weren't were too distracted to notice me coming in for the kill.

edited 23rd Aug '11 6:50:32 PM by KnownUnknown

I know I'm going to regret paying $15 for this when it inevitably goes on sale for $5 next summer, but I usually wind up enjoying any game that Yahtzee actually likes. (And besides, I heard the narration in the trailer. Goddamn.) Buying now.

I wonder if I should wait for Labor Day since there's bound to be a steam sale that day.......?

My girlfriend got it for me without telling me a thing about it because she thought that I would love it to death. She was right. The narrator is definitely my favorite part.

Hmm, while using Squirt Lure, I thought I saw some of the squirts spitting out needles like you do when using the right liquor. Anyone know if some or all spirit benefits apply to friendly squirts?

played the demo for like 20 minutes.

sold and purchased.