coreymw

@buft:

I'm trying desperately to S rank it. Turning the idols on definitely changes things. It's like learning to play all over again, and I like that. That moment when you first hear Zia's song was, a moment. I don't know how to explain it. A sudden calm came over me, which was weird. I'd been amped up from all the fighting and then she started singing and I calmed down.

I need a larger monitor for my gaming and I'm torn. It doesn't need to be the best looking screen, and it needs to be affordable. What are your thoughts on the two brands mentioned?

This is meant to spark a discussion. I know, or hope that most of you here have played the game or are at least familiar with it. Thanks to Giant Bomb for the "Building the Bastion" videos. They were great.

There's something to be said about a game that employs simple mechanics, but delivers a rich, rewarding experience. Upon completing the game I felt as though I'd played through my own Audible adventure book. The game features breathtaking artwork, fun and challenging foes and a solid story. But for me, the narration is the star of the show.

The Narrator talks about things you do, provides tips and delivers story as though he's reading, or writing a book. The entire thing was surreal. If I took time to rage and bash things with my hammer, he talked about it. If I walk off the edge of the level, he talked about it. It took some getting used to, but 10 minutes in and my actions felt like part of the story. As I played through the game I really did feel as though someone was reading a book to people about my quests. It may be my favorite style of narration in any game I've played.

The game is beautiful. Everything is lush and vibrant, except when it isn't for story or health reasons. I hate to make comparisons because the games are so different, but it reminded me of Braid, though Bastion is much more colorful. If it weren't for the enemies, my first play through would have been 3 or 4 times longer. I often found myself looking at the detail and beauty each level offered. The amount of work put into the art for this game is astounding. I appreciate that level of effort.

And then there's the music. It's nothing short of magical. It does a fantastic job of conveying the mood and sets the tone for the story throughout. While playing I had memories of Firefly and Serenity. There's an eclectic mix of music that outshines just about anything else I've played for as long as I can remember. I will be purchasing the soundtrack when it's made available.

I mentioned simplicity earlier, and this game is simplicity done right. Game play is straight forward and fun, but at the same time varied and challenging. What I mean is that the combination of weapons opens the game, and player up to scenarios not offered by other weapon combinations. My first play through I used a War Machete and a one shot bow. While that worked out for me, machete for close enemies and the bow for ranged attack, it meant I often found myself vulnerable. My second play through has seen me using dual pistols. They are rapid fire and allow me to (or at least allowed me to feel like) I can move quicker and roll away from enemies. The combinations seem endless, and with each combo the game plays differently.

@Sinful: After I wrote that and clicked the post reply button, I realized my mistake. They may not be the best, but they are still very good at it.

@Khann: I don't know. That's why they are the best. They wouldn't create a real money market and not find a way to balance it because they know what would happen. They know that people gravitate towards real money. They've been doing this for a very long time, they aren't going to (I hope) release a game where an in-game currency market isn't used. It would be a waste of resources on their part. This is obviously all conjecture.

@Khann: That's assuming Blizzard doesn't find a way to make using the fake money auction house just as lucrative as the real money auction house. Regardless of who their in bed with, Blizzard are still the best when it comes to balance.

@Buckfitches: I don't understand your issue with this. You have options. Use the real money auction house, or don't. You can still use the in-game money auction house, which requires no money out of pocket. Why do options make you want to punch a baby? That seems cruel and unwarranted.

The man is mentally insane, a psychopath if you will. So can you tell me, readers, why is it that media, legislators and store owners take what he says with more than a grain of salt? If a patient at a mental ward says they like stabbing people with butter knives, are those going to be taken off of store shelves/

I wouldn't use a system like this. I won't spend enough time in-game to warrant purchasing higher quality items. I'll jump in a few times a week with friends and that'll be that. Whatever I pickup is what I have.

It's always a shame to hear about studios being shut down, or in danger of being shut down. Good luck to them. Here's hoping they don't end up making iOS'ware in the near future.