Post by dbkillerex on Jan 4, 2012 13:29:37 GMT -5
~Expectations:
Upon entering the game I had high expectations, expecting no less than an immediate feeling of amazement. Although the narrator's sexy (yes I'm straight), sand-papered tone was even more moving than I had visualized and the game surprised me with its lively scenery and pop-up roads and turrets the first few levels didn't quite realize my passion for a game that could potentially blow my mind.
The story does not start at the beginning, as the narrator boldly states, instead mini-games and reflections help you better understand the characters and the world that had been before an apocalyptic event known as 'the calamity' and the destruction of Caelandia and most of its people.
~Controls:
As blocks of ground formed beneath my character's feet I found myself tumbling downwards many times, not just of recklessness but of wondering if the ridge to the left would sprout a hidden path If only I stepped a tiny bit closer. The colorfulness of the game and sheer terror of bloaty blue demons (That resembled daily costumers at McDonald's after way too many Slurpees) made it impossible to get the feeling that the game was being the slightest bit repetitive. But I have to admit I was not certain I could carry on using the default controls seeing as I had to zig-zag my way through every diagonal road for the first level or two.
With every core and crystal I fed the monument- a power source to the Bastion which acts as a sanctuary and "home -base" for the character and the survivors, I find that I've grown more afraid of hastening the game's end.
The weapon controls allow carrying two weapons comfortably with the added shield to counter and block allowed non-stop fun filled battles. The variety of great weapons make the player think twice before leaving to clear a level. I must admit sometimes I would swap weapons just to hear the narrator's reaction; something along the lines of "OK now that's just plain overkill, I mean come on..!".
~Graphics:
This game has a rare hand-drawn appeal and which is high quality without any special high quality graphic card requirement. The scenes are exhilarating and the monsters are lively, and there's just not much more to say.
~Story:
The game succeeds in arousing difficult moral dilemmas and creating disputable yet totally empathic and lovable characters. The story could definitely have more details but is enough for a good short game experience. One thing I found peculiar about these characters were that Supergiant games simply killed off all they're parents (The Kid's mom and dad, Zia's mom, zulfs folks too) it's a bit too batman/superman-ish for my taste but I'll let it slip for the sake of all classic hero stories.
A place where the story and our next subject, the music both surprised me was at a song called "Build that wall" which is as all of the music featured in the game perfectly original. It told of the in-game war between the Ura's and the Caelondians before the calamity: The Ura's as miners and the Caelondians as the founders of 'the wall', it echoes a silent threat that the Ura's are coming, and there's no running away.
~The music:
The music, oh where do I start with the music?... The music is energetic at times and scary at others. On a couple of occasions when a singer is involved the sound is incredibly clear and no-ones trying to hide the sound of the performer's finger sliding across the metal strings of the guitar to bar a chord and it sends out a very original vibe and adds to the delightful simplicity of the game.
I found myself amazed at the difference between playing the game with or without headphones. Seems as though the headphones add a dimension to the game which my laptops small speakers couldn't pull off.
~Conclusion:
Bastion has taught me that a game does not have to weigh 14GB or be very long or even have high resolution super HD graphics to be mind blowing. I recommend it full heartedly and give it credit for being kid... Or should I say child friendly. Something most recent games are far from.
~Rank: 9.7/10 ~
