Bastion

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1641 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,311 out of 1641
  2. Mixed: 270 out of 1641
  3. Negative: 60 out of 1641

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  1. Zartan
    Oct 28, 2011
    9
    Bastion is one of those few games that really tries to be different. You are the Kid, one of the few survivors of a disaster called "The Calamity". The Calamity shattered the land of Caelondia to pieces, and you must find other survivors, rebuild the Bastion, and try to find out what caused the Calamity to happen.

    + Good combat system: The fights and moves feel smooth and right +    Bastion is one of those few games that really tries to be different. You are the Kid, one of the few survivors of a disaster called "The Calamity". The Calamity shattered the land of Caelondia to pieces, and you must find other survivors, rebuild the Bastion, and try to find out what caused the Calamity to happen.

    + Good combat system: The fights and moves feel smooth and right
    + Great weapon system: You start out with a hammer, and as you advance through the game you'll find more and more weapons, all with their own abilities, pros, and cons.
    + Upgrades/Buffs/Achievements: Bastion comes with the ability to completely modify the difficulty you are playing. There are several buffs called "Spirits", which you can collect and aquire throughout the game. Also, you can invoke the spirits of the gods to create environmental effects, increasing an monster's lifebar for example.
    + Innovative Narrating: Bastion is all about the story. As you travel through the game, the narrator travels with you, monitoring your every move and decision. He tells you about monsters, history, landmarks, etc. A very nice add
    + A very mature cartoony look: The graphics look great, and totally belong to this sort of game.
    + Soundtracks: Nice!

    - Replayability: You'll probably need 3 or 4 hours max to finish the story. Then you can start "New Game Plus Mode", restarting the campaign but with all your weapons, upgrades and buffs from your previous game, allready unlocked and at your disposal.
    - No feature DLC: The developers wanna focus on their next game and see Bastion as a 1 time thing, there won't be any future DLC available and thats, in my opinion, a missed chance.

    Concluding: This is the best Indie game i have ever played! The story, the gameplay, the narrator, it all fits together perfectly. 15,- is truly a steal, this game is worth more then that.    … Expand
  2. GvS
    Nov 5, 2011
    9
    Nice story, beautiful artwork, great music and gameplay. I haven't played such a good game for a while, it's theoretically just hack and slash, but it's really well done, almost perfect.
  3. keefbaker
    Nov 7, 2011
    9
    Fascinating mix of a typical hack and slash RPG and well.. when you get down to it and take the atmosphere away, that's basically what it is. However it is pretty much the best out there and the atmosphere is nothing short of phenomenal with one of the best voice over voices I've heard.
  4. Nicks
    Mar 14, 2012
    9
    Bastion is one of those games that takes you back to a time when you used to enjoy fairy tales in all their full colors and wonders without questioning anything about them in relative to the realism. Supergiant games has proved that in these time of entertainment when every fiction is trying to get it's story to be grounded in reality as much as possible without breaking the concept or theBastion is one of those games that takes you back to a time when you used to enjoy fairy tales in all their full colors and wonders without questioning anything about them in relative to the realism. Supergiant games has proved that in these time of entertainment when every fiction is trying to get it's story to be grounded in reality as much as possible without breaking the concept or the elements of fiction, a story can still be told that doesn't have to try to fulfill this requirement in order to get the attention and time of a logical mind. Bastion drives heavily on the narration of one character Rucks in the game who has been voiced incredibly by a Logan Cunningham (i'm keeing his voice with those of Morgan freeman and such from hollywood.. Seriously). Right from the beginning of the game to the end, including every action by the protagonist and details about the diverse places where the games ventures, everything is described by him in a manner that you can't help but listen and contemplate what was just said and yet none of what he says takes too much thinking to understand. I mean this one thing, rucks' talking, constitutes more than half of the games. and believe me his talking ain't just some blabbering. like i said he's telling you a story you want to enjoy without the anticipation of answers (which eventually are provided) of the questions that arise during the game ruining the experience. it's the way Rucks unfolds the events in the game by his narration that makes the experience beautiful. then the other things driving the game are visual design and music. I mean it's all hand painted design of everything here that has been given simple and effective animation to bring life into the game. and the music for each level and scenario has been composed so beautifully that after your playthrough you'd definitely be getting the album. lastly the gameplay is good if not great. things were kept interesting by players getting some different new weapon or upgrade regularly. but the gameplay delivers fun more in the proving grounds than in the main story missions as each weapon you acquire in the game is used in different proving grounds for completing challenges like shooting as many targets as possible in the given time and such. you rely on your reflexes in here more than you do in the story missions. in the end i just want to say that don't go by the size of the game (which is just under 800 MB) or seeing that this game is a downloadable one so won't be as good as the full blown games. it packs a punch stronger than the recent 15 or 20 gigs games that i've played recently. believe me in the coming times whereas you'll keep getting the iterations in the installments of the established series from big companies like EA or Activision, the innovation for a wholly different experience will come out from independent games only. I literally thank Supergiant games for making me a child for awhile again without letting me feel childish about it.… Expand
  5. WesleyC
    Nov 10, 2011
    9
    The fantastic narration really brings this game to life. Although the gameplay is linear it manges to be enjoyable without being too challenging. Well worth a look.
  6. CorporateGreed
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    Didn't expect much from this one, but it does have a few layers of difficulty when you get involved. Narrator is really nice, makes the game feel like a story. Not the hardest game in the world, but you have the option of using idols to make things tougher yet more rewarding. Frankly it's the best $15 game I've ever played. May not stack up to a $50 triple A title, but it's a gemDidn't expect much from this one, but it does have a few layers of difficulty when you get involved. Narrator is really nice, makes the game feel like a story. Not the hardest game in the world, but you have the option of using idols to make things tougher yet more rewarding. Frankly it's the best $15 game I've ever played. May not stack up to a $50 triple A title, but it's a gem nonetheless and worth every penny. Family friendly.… Expand
  7. Mivix
    Jan 10, 2012
    9
    Pretty solid game. Good story, good voice acting, nice graphics. Game-play is very addictive and fun (easy to play hard to master). I would give it a 10, but the combat is actually pretty simple and locations are almost the same all the time.
  8. loloynage
    Nov 28, 2011
    9
    Beautiful game. The story is pretty simple yet very charming like a fairy tale. The narration and the visuals blend in to the overall wonderful feeling of this game. Does the gameplay suffer because of this? Not at all. The controls are smooth and simple, giving you the whole fun of a hack and slash game. An Indie game that greatly surpasses big titles out there.
  9. Avish
    Nov 28, 2011
    9
    I bought the game on sale after playing through the demo and loving it, and three days later I've completed it... for the first time. Now, I'm not a fan of hack-n-slash gaming nor of RPGs; but Bastion got through my initial prejudice. It manages to strike just the right balance between action that's never repetitive, almost always challenging without demotivating, and just plain fun;I bought the game on sale after playing through the demo and loving it, and three days later I've completed it... for the first time. Now, I'm not a fan of hack-n-slash gaming nor of RPGs; but Bastion got through my initial prejudice. It manages to strike just the right balance between action that's never repetitive, almost always challenging without demotivating, and just plain fun; character development and upgrades that keep you engaged and looking to experiment without overwhelming you with options; and above all, a compelling and immersing story that keeps you wanting to find out what happens next. The graphics are beautiful even if not state-of-the-art. The game is displayed in an animated pseudo-3D isometric view, with some cut scenes hand-drawn. This isn't your latest realistic FPS with the latest GFX, but it suits the game just fine. My only issue here is that the character's movement sometimes seems robotic and reminiscent of 90's-style frame-animated isometric shooters.


    The soundtrack -- a pretty important element for me in games -- passes my "Will I listen to this later?" test with flying colors. In fact I'm going to buy it despite the relatively steep price compared to the game itself ($10 for the OST, $15 for the game, and no actual discount when buying the two together). The story, as mentioned, is the heart of the game. It unfolds slowly, bit by bit, in the narrator's old, raspy voice, mirroring and shedding light on your actions. This ambitious concept could've gone wrong in so many ways, and yet the folks at Supergiant Games got it pretty near perfect, to the point that it is an almost profound experience at times. The narration is a huge boost to the storytelling aspect of the game and makes it that much easier to immerse yourself in it, but that won't be worth anything without a good story, which Bastion luckily has. Like Braid before it, Bastion knows how to tell a good story, using your in-game actions to advance the plot -- but not always in the way you expected, making you wonder who's playing with whom. I think this element could've been used a little more heavily, but I'm still very happy with the result. The game play is intuitive and simple, yet complex enough to keep your interest. There are a variety of different mechanics all interacting with each other, so you never sink into a repetitive routine or "farming". Sometimes it feels a little too linear -- most maps basically have a single path you'll have to go through -- but then, when it matters, the game presents you with some tough choices and lets you choose without bias and with no obvious right or wrong answers. All in all, it's an very enjoyable game that doesn't require a huge commitment but certainly leaves its mark on you. I'm definitely going to play the last part again to explore some other choices, and then there's "New Game Plus" which promises a different experience altogether (haven't tried it yet). Supergiant definitely made an effort to provide replay value here and that's appreciated. Even without it, the primary story line is good enough that I'd be completely content to just wrap it up, 3 days after I started playing, with just the story and the soundtrack as memories of the experience. So, aside from some minor issues, I think this is a pretty amazing game, definitely worth its price. Try out the demo if you haven't yet, and then go play the real thing. You'll be richer for it.    … Expand
  10. scrolfe
    Nov 30, 2011
    9
    Bastion is simple but effective. Your combat tools expand rapidly as you develop your own fighting style. You can go to special "proving grounds" to practice with your favorite weapons. Besides that, the storytelling is unique and relaxing. While you do work fighting off enemies, the narrator gives you the lowdown. The world you explore is fragmented and broken, but the visualBastion is simple but effective. Your combat tools expand rapidly as you develop your own fighting style. You can go to special "proving grounds" to practice with your favorite weapons. Besides that, the storytelling is unique and relaxing. While you do work fighting off enemies, the narrator gives you the lowdown. The world you explore is fragmented and broken, but the visual element of the game is gorgeous. Most importantly, Bastion's music ties everything together. I can still hear the bluesy guitar line and the hurt voice of a character you meet early in the game.… Expand
  11. theNILE
    Dec 8, 2012
    9
    Brilliant, one of the most original RPGs ever created. The style is just fantastic. The voice acting and duologue is superb. The story is brilliant, every moment is great. The only negative I would have to give is that, I feel the replay value is very low. The gameplay time itself is already very short, once you've played it through, the awesomeness fades away, but it is still an amazingBrilliant, one of the most original RPGs ever created. The style is just fantastic. The voice acting and duologue is superb. The story is brilliant, every moment is great. The only negative I would have to give is that, I feel the replay value is very low. The gameplay time itself is already very short, once you've played it through, the awesomeness fades away, but it is still an amazing game. Play it!… Expand
  12. Wordhammer
    Jan 11, 2012
    9
    Alright, I give it a 9 because the replay value sits at about nothing after you finish it the second time. The narration is entertaining, but the game is not expansive. You're in a short story, and I will be giving this game to any child that enjoys video games.
    From the perspective of 'it's too easy'; try saying that with all ten idols on. I had that reaction, but that's why they gave you    Alright, I give it a 9 because the replay value sits at about nothing after you finish it the second time. The narration is entertaining, but the game is not expansive. You're in a short story, and I will be giving this game to any child that enjoys video games.
    From the perspective of 'it's too easy'; try saying that with all ten idols on. I had that reaction, but that's why they gave you the ability to make the game as tough as you can handle. While it is insane to impose stress on yourself, you can't say that the game is too easy, because it can be made harder. It's a good game for a kid to play, but strong enough for an adult. This is a fun RPG, and deserves to be played by everyone who would like to play a fantastic RPG.    … Expand
  13. minsu2
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    Fantastic game that I would recommend to ANYONE regardless of age. Fantastic action, story telling, art direction, music and sound. This game will make crack smiles. This is a video game. You won't be disappointed.
  14. Kenmei
    Dec 26, 2011
    9
    Very good game, especially when it's 66% off it's original price, as it is on the day of this writing on Steam. Even at full price, this game is worth it. The biggest draw here is the narrator telling the story of the main character. His story telling really adds a wonderful element to what would otherwise be an above-average game. This is really one of the best indie games to come out inVery good game, especially when it's 66% off it's original price, as it is on the day of this writing on Steam. Even at full price, this game is worth it. The biggest draw here is the narrator telling the story of the main character. His story telling really adds a wonderful element to what would otherwise be an above-average game. This is really one of the best indie games to come out in a long time and it'll keep your attention with its excellent story telling and enjoyable gameplay. This is just a fun game and anyone who enjoys playing games should pick this up on whatever platform you use the most, whether it be the 360 or the PC, especially today when it's on sale on Steam. Buy it and you won't regret it and that's something you can't say for most games that are released in this day and age.… Expand
  15. JTheJackal
    Dec 26, 2011
    9
    From about 30 seconds into the game I started to love Bastion which is odd for someone who normally falls asleep at the mere thought of a game which could be described as "hack and slash". The love would have been sooner but I went in with very low expectations thinking it wouldn't be a game for me. Bastions world is brilliantly done, the game makes you genuinely want to go on to the nextFrom about 30 seconds into the game I started to love Bastion which is odd for someone who normally falls asleep at the mere thought of a game which could be described as "hack and slash". The love would have been sooner but I went in with very low expectations thinking it wouldn't be a game for me. Bastions world is brilliantly done, the game makes you genuinely want to go on to the next area so you can rebuild your home hub area and the narrators script and voice has changed the way I want both storylines and item descriptions presented to me forever. Every game should have a narrator like Bastions and after playing it, the mere thought of having to read things in other games is actually depressing. The combat works, there's an upgrading system which is very easy to use, interesting challenges, excellent story and reminds you of a time when games were games and not interactive films.… Expand
  16. golfandcars2
    Feb 12, 2013
    9
    Bastion is a great example of what a complete video game should be: great fun factor, gameplay, controls, music, scenery, and diversity in items as well as enemies. The story line is very simple, the game obviously wants you to focus on the gameplay. Now I am probably one of few that did not find much replay value in the game, though it is set up to be replayed many times, so IF you endBastion is a great example of what a complete video game should be: great fun factor, gameplay, controls, music, scenery, and diversity in items as well as enemies. The story line is very simple, the game obviously wants you to focus on the gameplay. Now I am probably one of few that did not find much replay value in the game, though it is set up to be replayed many times, so IF you end up liking this game, then it will deliver its value ten fold.… Expand
  17. angrypotato
    Jul 19, 2012
    9
    Bastion is a game made by only 7 people yet it packs a serious punch. You start off awakened from a concussion which you soon find out was caused by the Calamity, a catastrophe which nearly destroys the entire world. As you walk the ground forms in front of your feet. The story soon progress to the Bastion, a refuge which was made for an instant like the calamity. You then travel toBastion is a game made by only 7 people yet it packs a serious punch. You start off awakened from a concussion which you soon find out was caused by the Calamity, a catastrophe which nearly destroys the entire world. As you walk the ground forms in front of your feet. The story soon progress to the Bastion, a refuge which was made for an instant like the calamity. You then travel to different areas to search for survivors and cores so you can expand the Bastion. These expansions give you customisation. For example the arsenal allows you to swap around unlocked weapons (you can have a primary, secondary and special) and the forge allows you to upgrade them. There is also a distillery which allows you to have potions running which gives you boosts (you can have 1 per level), and five other buildings. It… Expand
  18. sirky004
    Feb 18, 2012
    9
    I play this game because of the story and great soundtrack. The game play is just simple and linear like a normal action game, but what the heck! this game is great! I hope more kind of this game will be made. For Super giant Games congratulations!
  19. sickologist
    Feb 9, 2012
    9
    Music- 10/10. Graphics- 10/10. Storyline- 9/10. Combat/ Game Play- 7/ 10. The repetitive hack and shoot gameplay was fun at first, but slowly began to fade into a trudging dungeon crawl. while it's not my favorite game, Supergiant shows virtually limitless promise for future games, and it would be a good idea to keep them on your radar.
  20. Mogul
    Mar 19, 2012
    9
    This is an amazing game with a great soul. The gameplay is fun, but what makes Bastion special is the atmosphere. The narrator is awesome, the music is amazing, and the story unfolds in a very impactful way. There was a certain point during the game where a song started up in the distance, and I was just blown away by the emotions it involved. You'll know when you get to that part. IThis is an amazing game with a great soul. The gameplay is fun, but what makes Bastion special is the atmosphere. The narrator is awesome, the music is amazing, and the story unfolds in a very impactful way. There was a certain point during the game where a song started up in the distance, and I was just blown away by the emotions it involved. You'll know when you get to that part. I should also mention that this game has good replay value, which is enhanced by special game modes and the "dream" challenge levels, which I really enjoyed. Just say yes to Bastion. You won't regret it. :P… Expand
  21. Kertos
    Mar 9, 2012
    9
    This game is just amazing. The gameplay is fun, the soundtrack is incredible good and the story is fine. But the best thing is the Narrator and how he presents the whole game to you. Just buy it.
  22. Travaligno
    Mar 19, 2012
    9
    A lovely melding of narrative, platform action and shooting mechanics. Worth playing for the distinctive design, voice acting and music alone. Old school but fresh and fun. Highly recommended.
  23. PictoPirate
    May 17, 2017
    9
    Bastion is an accomplished action-RPG that is beautiful and engaging and most importantly fun to play. If you have even a passing interest in the genre you really should give it a shot I assure you that you won't be disappointed. Oh and while you're at it pick up the Soundtrack too; its effing brilliant.
  24. Reahunt
    Jul 3, 2014
    9
    Pros: Fantastic music and graphics. An interesting narrator that comments on your actions / decisions.

    Cons: It's a fairly short game.

    It's a fun title you'll beat in a few hours and probably never come back to, but the music and narrator make it a memorable experience, and i think back to Bastion as one of my best experiences in gaming.
  25. Zedben
    Apr 24, 2012
    9
    Intriguing story, awesome narration, and beautiful music make this game a good play for the price. I have seen top-class games ($50-$60) that paled in comparison to this one. In short: buy it and have fun. It is incredibly creative, mystical, and the ending... well, this is one of the few low-cost games I have played that has a good ending.
  26. kimaasen1984
    Apr 25, 2012
    9
    I honestly have to admit that I was sceptical when I saw my little brother play Bastion, but when Steam put it on sale I decided to give it a go.

    And boy am I happy that I did. I'm not the biggest fan of indiegames, but Bastion is really a masterpiece with innovative storytelling. It showed me that a game doesn't have to have a huge budget to be great, and even though only a handful of    I honestly have to admit that I was sceptical when I saw my little brother play Bastion, but when Steam put it on sale I decided to give it a go.

    And boy am I happy that I did. I'm not the biggest fan of indiegames, but Bastion is really a masterpiece with innovative storytelling. It showed me that a game doesn't have to have a huge budget to be great, and even though only a handful of people worked on this game, it's as good as any game!

    If you're sceptical of indiegames - don't be! This game is a f***ing masterpiece!

    9/10 from me, being closer to 10/10 than 8/10.    … Expand
  27. elhive
    Sep 28, 2012
    9
    The fact is, this game is simply good at everything it tries to do. It has a great story, that is told in a subtle way, and narrated in one of the most unique fashions I have seen. The gameplay is very solid, and requires quick thinking and smart use of the tools and weapons you are given. Graphics are beautiful and unique. They compliment the story and gameplay perfectly, and theThe fact is, this game is simply good at everything it tries to do. It has a great story, that is told in a subtle way, and narrated in one of the most unique fashions I have seen. The gameplay is very solid, and requires quick thinking and smart use of the tools and weapons you are given. Graphics are beautiful and unique. They compliment the story and gameplay perfectly, and the soundtrack is a gift from heaven. This game was crafted with such care and attention to details, I must recommend it to everybody. Even if you aren't sure this game suits your videogames taste, try it out. It's one of the finest indy games of the generation, and it's very affordable on steam. Supergiant games deserve their game to be appreciated and recognized. Buy it!… Expand
  28. Saurus
    May 16, 2012
    9
    There aren't that many indie games that could go head-to-head with AAA products. Bastion is an exception however. As soon as you pick it up it sucks you in and simply do not realize yourself that what you thought to be 15-20 minutes were actually an hour and a half ... if not more. The game has a unique drawn art in it's own league and when we add a great narration with a deep voice,There aren't that many indie games that could go head-to-head with AAA products. Bastion is an exception however. As soon as you pick it up it sucks you in and simply do not realize yourself that what you thought to be 15-20 minutes were actually an hour and a half ... if not more. The game has a unique drawn art in it's own league and when we add a great narration with a deep voice, corresponding to the atmosphere, born from the events in the game and on top of that a serious pack of soundtracks, Bastion turns from a standard indie game into a lovely gem. The combat system grabs you from start and as the game carries on you unlock more and more games which can be customized in buildings such as the armory and arsenal where you can choose which weapons and one special skill and being given the chance to spend crystals which you collect along the way to upgrade them however you see fit. Beating the game gives you the chance to start a New Game+ which takes your weapons and skills, aquiered in the first playthrough, giving you the chance to finish their upgrades if you haven't yet. An interesting mechanics also featured in the game are spirit drinks which act as passive skills which you can choose and equip and also idols of certain deities which when enabled makes the game harder for you and of course - more rewarding as well. Despite the lack of MP Bastion offers leaderboards with which you can compete with friends and the whole world even - if you think you are good enough ... If you wish to prove that you stand above others than pick this game up and have fun while proving yourself !… Expand
  29. Indrigis
    Aug 12, 2012
    9
    Bastion would have been just another shoot-and-dodge (or hack-and-slash if you favor melee weapons) game if it wasn't for the Narrator. The beauty lies in the fact that its story is literally being told along with you playing, not in bursts interrupting your gameplay. Thus you get a 10-hour long tale, that might not contain overly heroic deeds, but is a tale nonetheless, with greatBastion would have been just another shoot-and-dodge (or hack-and-slash if you favor melee weapons) game if it wasn't for the Narrator. The beauty lies in the fact that its story is literally being told along with you playing, not in bursts interrupting your gameplay. Thus you get a 10-hour long tale, that might not contain overly heroic deeds, but is a tale nonetheless, with great graphical and musical presentation. The weapons keep flowing in and they all have their place, as do the special skills. In the end it's quite worthy of both time and money spent on it.… Expand
  30. firedigger
    Jun 4, 2012
    9
    With very stunning story and a lot of customization with weapons and their upgrades, idols, spirits Bastion transforms an ordinary RPG into a world to live in. Completing the main story won't show you all the might of Bastion, just to go and try some more.....
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PC Game of 2011
17
#17 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
23
#23 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. ActionTrip
    Jan 24, 2012
    83
    It's a highly polished, bug-free bundle of fun and at $15, it's a steal. Kudos to Supergiant Games.
    Read full review
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Oct 30, 2011
    70
    Visually stunning independent action RPG impresses you with a captivating world but will disappoint you with a dull and boring combat system. [Oct 2011]
  3. Everyeye.it
    Oct 9, 2011
    75
    Bastion hides a fun traditional gameplay under gorgeous and innovative visuals, that on the long run could come short in variety.
    Read full review
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