Bastion

Simple action/platformer game. Gets repetitive and frustrating really fast. Created with controller in mind, PC controls are terrible, it is not possible to set character movement to movement keys. Only buy it when it's on sale, or if you have some bucks and time to waste. The graphics look really good, it's really sad that there is no depth.

Overall Bastion is a descent game where someone can have some fun. The artwork and the music of the game are fantastic. The most weak point of it is the gameplay. Most of the times it feels like doing a chore and being difficult just for the sake of it. I caught my self trying to ignore the enemies because although I knew how to deal with them I just didn't want to. The story is not bad but it is quite generic. There are some interesting weapons on the game but I believe they could be made better. I would recommend this game for a price around 5 pounds.

usually a game doesn´t has to be that good, it just has to scratch an itch that a lot of people have to become popular and with bastion it feels like i just don´t have that itch. i wasn´t desperately wating for a game to "tell me a story", there are enough games that tell you a better story in a better way than this game, or are at least fun to play while telling their story. the gameplay never reached the point, where it was really fun and that´s something i don´t say about many games. just look at the screenshots and listen to the soundtrack and you´ll probably have a way better experience, than when you actually play the game.

Graphics : 5/5 - the gameworld is gorgeous to look at with its hand-painted little islands of rock that float above a surreal sea of either vortex-y nothingness or some strange and fantastic lands. The art design is fun and full of charm and detail. Music & Sound : 5/5 - The Music is EXCELLENT. One of the best soundtracks I've heard in years. A sometimes strange mix of classic video game tunes (one or two wouldn't be out of place in a Final Fantasy), instruments such as harps, violins and banjos are heard alongside electronic music and cool beats. The game's music subtly evokes such feelings as loss, terror, battle-frenzy and the like. Story/Gameworld/Atmosphere : 3/5 - Hmm. On one hand, the atmosphere, greatly helped by graphics and sound, is both melancolic and surreal. On the other hand, the story is both really simple and strangely confusing. It's simple because you always have a basic understanding what is going on and what mcguffin you're going to hunt next, but it is also really confusing, as a great city is introduced, with complex issues such as racism and exploitation, but it isn't really elaborated upon. The narrator just muses on some aspects of it (when you're trying to listen while having the mind occupied with trashing windbags who attack from all four directions) and then goes on to musings on something else. Visually, there are many reminders and symbols pointing to recent events such as the Cold War, the psychological mecanisms associated with " othering", and the use of the A-Bomb. Still, it's feels pretty rushed and unfinished. Gameplay : 3,5/5 - while fun and entertaining for an RPG-lite (and surprisingly difficult and timing-based at times), the gameplay has some flaws, such as trying to run on wayyy too narrow paths and falling into the abyss time and time again before you can master the preciseness of the movements (there is also a horrendous but brief platforming phase near the end of the game).

+An aesthetic experience - nice visuals & arts +Incredible soundtrack +Gameplay can be quite addictive +Solid story +Indie! +\- On "Normal" difficulty game is can be quite easy and played along casually, most of the time (I didn't die much) +\- Besides choosing harder difficulty you can "modify" certain aspects of difficulty in-game. This is good, and adds additional challange for whoever's interested. I found the game's "challanging" aspects to be rather frustrating and preferred to play "Normal".. But that really just a matter of preferences +\- Game is quite short (Again, preferences) +\-The narration can be a turnoff for some -Awkward controls, takes some getting used to -Well, it CAN get quite repetitive -General story was fine but I found the storytelling confusing at times -"Multiple endings" which felt quite thin and not really worth playing the game again to discover -Game represented at many places as "RPG" but its RPG elements are extremely light, casual, arcadish. So don't expect any RPG. Bottom line, this is a sweet game. Looking forward to try Transistor as well. The whole experience felt very aesthetic and generally well designed. Game flowed well and it's possible to play in a more casual and\or challanging manner as you wish. It's quite short but I believe it was just about the right length for this type of games, because if it was any longer it'd just get boring and tiresome. Full price is generally worth it but maybe slightly steep for a 3-4-5 h game (depending on your skill\speed\patience\gameplay stlye), but definitely get on a sale if you like the style and genre.