Bastion

Bastion is one beautiful looking game. But those worried that weak gameplay is hiding behind a wash of artistic brilliance, don't. This game offers up so many approaches to playing, combat always feels engaging. I've personally never come across a game with so much single-player replayability. One of this year's gems.

Bastion is, on the surface, a simple click and hack adventure set in the mystical, floating realm of Caelondia - or what is left of it. You play as the Kid, a small, white-haired boy with a talent for wielding weapons. Waking up, you start your adventure with no backstory or idea what your ultimate aim is. Instead, you start stumbling around while floating chunks of colourful rock forms underneath you. Details slowly emerge about the 'Calamity,' a disaster that has destroyed most architecture in the world and wiped out almost all the population. Using the ever-growing range of weapons at your disposal, both melee and ranged, you set out on the search for shards to activate the title machine, the Bastion. It's function is to restore the world to its previous state, while also allowing the player to access a wide range of weapon upgrades and options to vary gameplay. The Bastion is unique in that it becomes your home base but also your final destination. This game then might sound like one giant fetch quest, but gorgeous varied environements and tons of enemies to tackle make shard collection a joy. The narrator, brilliantly voiced by Logan Cunningham, slowly fills in backstory as you make progress, and his dulcet tones never wear thin. All this comes together meaning Supergiant Games' first title, full of challenging gameplay and a simple but engaging story, has set the devlopers a frighteningly high bar for their future titles.

Weapons. You'll get them. You'll love them. The first weapon you'll come across within your first few steps is the hammer. And even when you find more, like the pike and machete, you could end up using it the whole game. Balance between weapons couldn't be more spot on. The trusty hammer can deal a nice bit of damage but takes a bit of a wind up each time. Not a fan of waiting? Then switch to the machete and carve up scumbags in short, slashing bursts. The trade-offs in strengths between weapons will keep you experimenting right through to the end. You are forced into using every single weapon in the game at some stage, which is useful, but some will want to get rid of their equipped item very quickly. Sadly, there is no option to switch weapons unless dropping by an arsenal. This isn't a major problem as these buildings are a feature of every single level a little beyond acquiring a new weapon. Balance also features well for the ranged weapons. One minute you'll be blasting away with duel pistols, the next you'll be launching powerful but slow musket shots. Variety in ranged weapons is perhaps even greater, and the real method the gameplay in Bastion is brought to life.

Weapons themselves can be upgraded, forcing you to choose between two upgrades - for example a damage increase or a greater range. Random items needed for the upgrades can be found through the main stroyline levels, but also through a scattering of side-quests which are a form of mini-game. These are an addiction. Each require you to destroy things within a certain time limit or as few moves as possible. You wouldn't believe the amount of time I spent trying to blast a shrub off the world edge in just one less move. The distillery is another important area you'll be making decisions. The building allows you to choose the more subtle improvements, like an extra black tonic for special moves or greater critical hit chances. Saying the linear nature of the game is a negative is too harsh. It is true that there is a set direction the story is taking you, but thanks to the wonderful methods to tweak your experience mentioned above, that set path seems irrelevant.

Playing the game without any difficulty tweaks is a fairly easy going task. Still, you'll require constant use of your shield if dying is a situation you prefer to avoid. I learnt this fairly early on when I thought I could simply slash my way through to victory. If you do want a challenge, you can invoke the wrath of gods at the shrine. This acts as a replacement for a difficulty setting. It's better than a simple "easy-normal-hard" difficulty setting because you can tweak particular elements of the game to provide a new sort of challenge every time you play.

Bastion is awash with a charming atmosphere. The music evokes a western feel, but still matches the hazy and colourful environments you'll wander through. Unique is an understatement here, plodding through forests filled spike cushions shooting needles at you to the dreamy, zitar melody. Twangy guitar and melodious tunes fill one of the best game soundtracks ever made. Listening to the final song play is a touching moment as you take in what your toils have brought you. The narrator 's dynamic commentary is also very fun to listen to, making remarks about your actions as they unfold. With a narrator, the game feels like a part of some forgotten legend, a great tale that is all your doing.

If there is any criticism to be had it is the illusion of choice given at towards the end of the game. It's not an illusion, per se, but what you choose at these two designated moments simply changes a corridor of gameplay, a cutscene and a couple of pictures and nothing more. It's inclusion seemed so out of place in a game that required nothing of the sort up until that time. In its defence, the choices being made have a bit of emotional impact, and I've even heard people tearing up at these stages, which is understanable. I know I certainly smiled.

Bastion is one of the greatest games ever made. An original piece of gameplay, art style, music and narration all come together to create a game well worth your money - all $15 of it. "The reader finished reading and moved their mouse over the purchase button. Needless to say, they were satisfied with what they saw."

Score: 9 out of 10