Bastion is one of those rare gems that you might stumble on accidentally, even, but will stay in your mind long after you've finished it. The strength of Bastion lies first and foremost in its art direction. Stunning visuals mixed with a mind-bogglingly good soundtrack guarantee that you will be hooked right from the start. The Calamity might have sundered the world, but the parts that are still there are a true joy to behold. Like mentioned, the soundtrack is frankly amazing. Darren Korb has done a fantastic job of composing just the right kind of "accoustic frontier triphop" (his words) to captivate the player's mind, and convey a whole spectrum of emotions. I would not lie if I said this was one of the best - if not the best - game soundtracks I have heard in a long, long time. Then again I am a sucker for nostalgia (which in itself is one of the themes in the game), but the fact remains that the game has a very, very good soundscape. The story is mainly driven by a narrator - one of the best and most captivating ones I've encountered so far in a game. The story is also enriched by a subtlety which fits the game's somber atmosphere very nicely. It grows on you, slowly, instead of being hammered home with a mishmash of silver platters and heavy-handed anvils. Blink, and you might miss it. Or parts of it. Once you're done with your first playthrough, you probably want to jump right back in; the game offers two different endings and a New Game+ mode. The game plays like an RPG-lite/action title. The Kid is nimble enough in combat, and you can choose from a variety of upgradable weapons to find the style that fits you best - the Narrator even has different comments depending on what combination you're using. Various items offer another way of customizing your character. All in all, Bastion is a enjoyable and memorable experience - both as a game and as a narrative. It's not a 60-hour romp, but the time spent in the game definitely gives bang for your buck..
