Bastion

The game is fun and colorful throughout, yet within that spirit of fun, the level design evokes a remarkable range of emotion.

It's a whip smart action title that's satisfying through and through, and gets the Summer of Arcade off to an absolutely rollicking start.

Bastion isn't just one of the year's best title[s]. It's also one of the best stories you'll see in an indie game.

It seriously is one of the best Xbox Live Arcade titles to be released so far this year, and I highly urge every 360 owner to give this one a look.

The best kind of games got unity, got cohesion, and this game, well, it ain't got it. That don't mean it's not the best kind though. I wouldn't of known it to look at the runt, but hell, it is.

Bastion does plenty of talkin' for itself, and it's all worth payin' attention to. Been a long time since a game came along with a story this well told, too. For those who need it, the combat's smart and satisfying; sharp as a machete and firey as a mortar. There's a world out there to discover, rich and unique. Seems to me that should be something worth your while.

Supergiant Games is forever on my radar from now on and I cannot say enough great things about how much I enjoyed my time saving the Bastion.

This is a Diablo style game with its own personality. It shines visullay, but is also very fun and intense, and has a great balance between progression, customization and action.

Overall Bastion is an exceptional title and a tremendous start to the 2011 Summer of Arcade promotion. This is the first title from Supergiant Games and they have hit a home run with it.

Simply put Bastion is one of the best downloadable games available and is definitely one of the greatest and most unique experiences I have ever come across.

It's once in a blue moon that a game this special comes along.

The game defines what passionate developers can accomplish on the platform, and if you appreciate old-school design with a modern twist, not playing this game could be considered a crime.

It is flashy and it is confident to the brink of arrogance, but it rides that reputation proudly and delights everyone who plays it along the way.

Bastion makes a good case for the idea that simple gameplay, straightforward design, and a clear guiding vision for art, music, and story can go a long way to making a good game great.

Bastion is a lesson for game development. It's a paragon that it's possible to achieve an excellent result with a small, but creative team. It proves that little, but crucial things can have a big impact. It's a symbol that one can outdo big-budget games with style and a both humorous and mature story-line. Of course, Bastion is not perfect: But it's worthy to be called one of the best Xbox games to date.

Bastion advances video games as art. In the same breath, it can challenge your thumbs and make you wonder about the possibilities of its world.

It's not always about the adventure you go on, but sometimes it's the way the story is told. Bastion weaves an incredible story that goes places I wasn't expecting. The game's narrations are unlike anything I've experienced before; improving what could have been an otherwise mediocre dungeon crawler. With some clever twists and turns, Bastion stays interesting from beginning to end!

Truthfully, Bastion could be sold on its presentation alone; the game's hyper-detailed 2D graphics along with its eclectic and moving soundtrack perfectly match the well-told and understated story. But beneath this pretty packaging, there's a real game here -- and a good one at that. Supergiant Games seems to have done the seemingly impossible by creating the perfect mesh of game and story, all while preventing each of these elements from overpowering one another. Other developers, take note: this is how it's done.

It is this flexibility which keeps Bastion fresh from beginning to end.

Bastion is an arcade game with some RPG elements and an uncomplicated mechanics but definitelly it's a game with a soul. It's lovely, colorful and offering a lot of joy just thanks to its looks. Supergiant Games introduced us to an unusual game, a next step of evolution on the way of rich storyline that doesn't limit itself to reading notes and talking to NPCs.

Bastion is an intriguing and eclectic action-heavy RPG with great audio and visuals, and it mixes some interesting mechanics with tried and true gameplay. $15 might be a little steep for some gamers, but this is a game you ought to play, particularly if you care about replayability.

Bastion is a wonderful way to kick off the Summer Of Arcade and one that will be very hard to match from the other four titles. A mix of wonderful art, sumptuous sounds and deep involving gameplay make this one of the best XBLA games of the year.

Bastion tells a story about a boy and his struggle to rebuild a broken world. Masterfully implemented game mechanics, innovative dynamic story telling and a setting that really captures the imagination makes this a real treat for the demanding gamer.

A great effort, with tons of addictive, varied and beautiful content. Get it now.

The Bastion is an absolute must-own for anyone who has enjoyed action RPGs in the past.

Caelondia is a beautiful, vibrant locale to behold, punctuated by a fitting soundtrack that will surprise as often as it delights. But, it's the characters and creatures of this world that make the experience so special and memorable.

Beneath the visuals and the voice-over, Bastion is actually a fairly standard action RPG, but the abundance of different challenges and puzzles, combined with that beguiling narration, makes it something rather special.

With this release, Supergiant Games has set a new high-water mark for not only for budget-price RPGs, but XBLA games as a whole. Highly recommended.

A plot becomes a story, only when the details have been worked out. Bastion shines through the subtle way context has been given to the game world, which is filled to the brim with places of interest and action-packed hotspots. The all-knowing narrator and gorgeous environments duke it out for who has the most to tell. As the player you'll fill the shoes of the laughing bystander who makes off with this very unique game.

Bastion's a great little RPG but above and beyond genre, it's one of the best-looking, best-sounding (despite the pointless narrator), best-playing games you'll download this year and a total bargain at 1200 Microsoft Points.

Bastion's an outstading Action-RPG adventure in which we assume the role of a boy named The Kid. There's plenty to do here: customizing weapons and stuff is fun, but nevertheless, its most interesting feature its Bastion's storytelling. A must-have for the XBLA collection.

This is a game built from great art and clever mechanics, but it's an adventure born of both deeds and words.

Bastion is unequivocally a true masterpiece. Thanks to fascinating storyline, solid gameplay and a unique visual style, it's highly recommended to any gamer.

With diverse, interesting gameplay, excellent production, and a world that sucks the player in, Bastion is a downloadable experience that's not to be missed.

Bastion is a fun and engrossing ride, and I highly recommend grabbing the demo to see if it's your kind of thing. Allow the soothing (well, gravelly) voice of the narrator to wash over you, and go find out just what happened to this destroyed, understated, beautiful world.

Ambitious, beautiful, and a blast to play, it's everything an RPG should be. Even better, it's only 1200 MS points, and with a solid ten to fifteen hours of gameplay, it's a bargain.

Bastion is not just a great game: it's a beautifully articulate, heartfelt and poignant work of fiction.

Bastion's fantasy world doesn't feel derivative. Its world and characters are all its own, and the narrator's verbal descriptions of abandoned quarries, forsaken gods and terrifying fortresses breathe life into them.

Bastion is the perfect game to kick off Microsoft's Summer of Arcade, capturing that certain something that Limbo and Braid had in previous years.

Bastion is a solid action-RPG that is put over the edge by its unique and entrancing concept.

This game is amazing and you owe it to yourself to download it.

This game is a tribute to action-RPGs of SNES era. It's a cross-breed between Zelda and Secret of Mana. And it is cute as a button and it sounds like a charm. This little adventure is a must-buy for RPG enthusiasts. [Sept 2011]

Quite simply, Bastion is a game with lots of character and precious few flaws. Any fan of old-school action RPGs would be remiss not to play this game. If every title released had Bastion's sense of newness and adventure, the gaming world would be even better than it already is.

Bastion deserves success for being brave, genuine and awesome. A brilliant Action-RPG game.

For only 1200 MS Points ($15) you are going to experience one of the more original XBLA titles I've played on the Xbox 360 in quite some time. From the charming graphics to the smooth vibes of the narrator perfectly blended with a magical soundtrack, and the 10-12 hours of action-packed exploration and combat, Bastion is a great way to kick off the Summer of Arcade.

If you enjoy classic action-RPGs you're probably sold on Bastion at this point, and you should be. Otherwise, you may not think as highly of it since at its core it's still a throwback to a bygone day of gaming. It's a good game for what it is, but it's not for everyone. If you're still on the fence give the demo a try; you'll probably know on which side you'll fall pretty quickly.

Capable and shaped to its purpose, Bastion proves a well-crafted and entertaining experience. Easily justifying its $15 price tag, this downloadable game offers a simple but complete package that's charming, playable, and worthwhile.

The Xbox Live 2011 Summer of Arcade is off to a good start with Bastion. Stylish, inventive and original, the small team at Supergiant Games are giants when its comes to crafting an unique tale.

When it comes to core gameplay Bastion is rather simple and does not offer anything really new. But it shines in the story department or rather in the way this story is being told. Narrator's voice accompanies you in every step of the way adding to a wonderful atmosphere of Bastion. [September 2011, p.74]

Bastion is ingenious, fresh and fun, but the way the story is evolving, and its inability to create emotional bonding with the player, is depriving Supergiant's first game of the opportunity to gain a place among the best modern "indie" creations.

A very good action-RPG, with a classical gameplay enriched by an awesome artistic design and great weapons variety.

A richly detailed world that has been unmistakably crafted with love and is well worth its 1200 MP price tag. It exudes all the addictive familiarity of an every-man action-RPG, but it's presented in such a clever, charming and original way as to raise it to must-play material.

Nice isometric customizable action RPG, with some great ideas. Gameplay is frenzied and addictive, and visuals are very cool.

For a first game from a new studio (though the folks at Supergiant Games aren't without industry experience) Bastion is an impressive title. You won't be disappointed.

Though we found ourselves wishing the gameplay and story had just a little more depth and variety, the game's definitely captivating. Carefully crafted and full of charm, Bastion is irresistible.

It's a wonderfully crafted adventure that presents a fun and focused challenge you can customize in all sorts of ways.

In all it's familiarity the Diabloesque gameplay sucks you in, but it is the beautiful word, the brilliant music, and the genius voice over that keeps you going. Bastion might be a game, but it's much more a fascinating fairy tale told in real time.

It's fun while it lasts, and I can't wait to see what other cool narrative ideas Supergiant Games comes up with for future games.

Bastion relies heavily on storytelling, which is not usual in the action RPG genre and it could be a little bit too distracting for hardcore warriors. However, if you are looking for very pleasant, enjoyable and relaxing gameplay with a fine story for a day or two, or if you want to introduce this genre to your girlfriend, there's no need to look further.

It's not a masterpiece or a revolution in the genre, but Bastion is a great game and the best way to start the new Summer of Arcade season.

Action rpg with excellent design, a lot of content and upgrades, cool commentary and fun battles.

Bastion is like the love child of the visual style and calm of Braid and a refined and trimmed version of Torchlight, and one that manages to exceed well beyond our expectations. There are a couple of missteps, and the story could do with a little more bite, but other than that there's no reason not to throw your money at this game and stay indoors a little longer.

Even though its gameplay remains pretty classical, Bastion shows its singularity through its real time, voiced-over narration. During play of this Action RPG title, which remains solid and rich if not original, a voice will tell of your doings, your failures, every step of the way. Add a nice sense of progress and lush 2D visuals, and you may have the indy game of this summer '11 before your eyes. Even though it's not as remarkable as the likes of Braid or Limbo.

Definitely a must-play game. It delivers some truly great music, a narrative built around your own actions and a huge bang for your buck.

Not an action RPG revolution, but a solid game set in a gorgeous world.

As long as you're not expecting a profoundly original artistic vision, Bastion delivers on its gameplay. Bastion's main strengths are twofold – the combat is satisfying and varied, and the customization options are robust.

Bastion is a quiet explosion in reverse, and there's no mistaking its charms once it all comes together.

Thanks to its action-packed adventure, great progression and fascinating visuals, Bastion can be surely defined as one of the best XBLAs out there. Don't miss it.

Bastion may have you tugging at its threads to decipher your role and meaning, even as you return for a second go-round - but you're unlikely to question the choice you made to buy it.

Gorgeous on the surface but less stellar on the inside, Bastion's appeal hinges largely on its dreamy visuals and those dulcet Nattator's tones. [Nov 2011, p.108]

Those willing to explore and look past the heavy-handed story will find that Bastion is a safe place to put their money into, and that Supergiant Games should be looked out for.

The way the levels unfold, literally paving the way out before your feet, removes any sense of exploration. [Issue#76, p.100]

If it weren't presented with such craft and imagination, Bastion would be just another XBLA also-ran. But that's not a criticism, not should it be. [Issue#113, p.98]

Quotation forthcoming.

The combat might never feel as clever as the visuals and narration but this is still an engrossing and distinctive action role-player.

After I'd seen the plot play out and was able to mentally put it aside, it became clear that the lion's share of the pleasure I derived from Bastion was of the technical, hack-'em-up kind. In that regard, I salute it. On the other hand, while my hands enjoyed the time I spent with Bastion, my brain and my heart were left untouched.

Is the game worth playing? Certainly. It's a decent little adventure that will provide enough solid gameplay to be worth the money. Just make sure one expects no more than that, and it'll be a most worthy purchase. Bastion is fun enough for what it is, but it does not transcend to the levels that it would like you to believe it does.