Bastion

One of the best XBL games ever is now one of the best PC games ever too.

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In Bastion, play as a survivor navigating a floating, post-apocalyptic world destroyed by the Calamity. Wield an arsenal of upgradeable weapons while listening to a reactive narrator who comments on your actions. Explore over 40 hand-painted environments, discover the secrets of the Calamity, and unlock New Game Plus and Score Attack modes after finishing the main story.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 24,151 reviews

story7,165 positive mentions

grinding147 negative mentions

story
13,056 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of *Bastion* is widely praised for its engaging narrative and unique storytelling approach, primarily delivered through the dynamic narration of Rucks, who comments on the player's actions in real-time. Players appreciate the emotional depth and themes of loss, hope, and rebuilding that unfold as they progress through the game, despite some finding the plot straightforward or lacking in complexity. The combination of beautiful visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and a well-crafted story creates a memorable experience that resonates with many players, making it a standout title in the action RPG genre.
- “The story is intriguing, if not engrossing.”
- “The world-building is rich, and the story, while simple, explores themes of loss, hope, and rebuilding in a way that feels impactful.”
- “The game's unique narration system—where the narrator comments on the kid’s actions in real-time—adds a layer of immersion and storytelling that sets Bastion apart.”
- “The story is the least attractive feature of Bastion.”
- “The pacing is slow, and the story itself is just meh.”
- “The story is simple, yet competently put together, seamlessly merges with the gameplay.”
music
10,297 mentions
69 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in *Bastion* has been universally praised for its exceptional quality, with many reviewers highlighting it as one of the best soundtracks in gaming history. The soundtrack, composed by Darren Korb, features a unique blend of genres, including acoustic, folk, and electronic elements, which perfectly complements the game's atmosphere and narrative. Additionally, the engaging narration enhances the overall experience, making the music and voice work integral to the game's emotional impact and storytelling.
- “The music is what makes this my favorite video game soundtrack ever.”
- “The soundtrack is another highlight, with a memorable, atmospheric score that complements the game’s tone perfectly.”
- “The soundtrack is simply unforgettable (build that wall!!!!!!!) and the story.... damn.”
- “The soundtrack, despite its varied instruments for each level, didn't manage to entice me with any memorable tunes.”
- “Apart from a couple of decent tracks, the Bastion OST is repetitive, forgettable, and sometimes even actively annoying.”
- “I wouldn't say I loved the music - I found it very repetitive and a bit generic, and I wish we'd had more than two huge choices in the way the story played out.”
gameplay
7,462 mentions
58 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Bastion* is characterized by its engaging hack-and-slash mechanics, allowing players to utilize a variety of weapons and abilities that can be customized to suit different playstyles. While some players find the combat repetitive and simplistic, many appreciate the fluid controls, dynamic narration that enhances the experience, and the ability to adjust difficulty through in-game mechanics. Overall, the game successfully blends its narrative with gameplay, creating a memorable experience that is visually stunning and sonically captivating.
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and rewarding, with responsive combat, a variety of weapons, and a focus on skillful movement and strategy.”
- “Bastion is a visually striking and emotionally resonant action RPG that blends engaging gameplay with a powerful narrative.”
- “The gameplay is fluid, with lots of options regarding your loadout. The new game+ feature and score attack modes encourage you to keep going until you complete everything and truly master the mechanics.”
- “The gameplay loop itself isn't particularly exciting enough to warrant another playthrough.”
- “The gameplay is too repetitive and the story couldn't keep me engaged.”
- “The gameplay can be very rough around the edges, pretty clunky and even buggy.”
graphics
5,007 mentions
70 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Bastion" are widely praised for their stunning hand-painted art style, vibrant colors, and unique visual storytelling that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the way the world dynamically builds around them, creating an immersive atmosphere complemented by a captivating soundtrack and engaging narration. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay mechanics, the aesthetic appeal remains a standout feature, making it a visually memorable title in the indie game landscape.
- “The graphics are stunning, with a vibrant color palette and detailed environments.”
- “Bastion's hand-painted art style is a visual feast for the eyes.”
- “The visuals are bright and vibrant, and the music is also a strength.”
- “The graphics aren't top of the line (even for the year it was released).”
- “The visuals hindered the experience more than it helped in my opinion; enemies were hard to see and could hide behind something that is visible from your character's point of view, but not from the camera's point of view, meaning you'd get hit but wouldn't know from where.”
- “The art style is certainly pretty, but it’s a crime to put as much visual clutter as Bastion has in a game where fall damage is your biggest opponent.”
replayability
928 mentions
43 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game "Bastion" offers a mixed bag of replayability, with many players appreciating its variety of weapon combinations, multiple endings, and the inclusion of a New Game Plus mode that allows for different playstyles and challenges. While some reviewers noted the game's relatively short length (around 6-8 hours) limits its replay value, others found the optional content and customization options sufficient to warrant multiple playthroughs. Overall, it seems that while the game may not have infinite replayability, it provides enough engaging elements to encourage players to return for additional runs.
- “The story only takes a few hours to get through, but there's enough replayability and optional content that makes it a totally worthwhile purchase.”
- “The honey-voiced narrator and excellent story is theoretically the main draw here but this game also offers very tight and replayable gameplay that, unusually for a singleplayer game, very much encourages (without requiring) tweaking and testing and refining a playstyle, and offers more than enough replayability to make it worth it between the who knows where levels, training areas, challenge modifiers, and new game+.”
- “It has great replay value with multiple weapons and builds, multiple endings, and fantastic music.”
- “As far as replayability goes, I don't think it has much of that.”
- “The game has 2 major endings and a new game plus, but even then it's not very replayable.”
- “The only real thing I can fault is the gameplay, which is pretty linear and has no real replay value.”
atmosphere
756 mentions
70 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of *Bastion* is widely praised for its stunning visuals, hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, and engaging narration, which together create an immersive and emotionally resonant experience. Reviewers highlight the game's unique art style and the way the music complements the narrative, enhancing the overall mood and storytelling. Many consider the atmosphere to be one of the game's standout features, making it a must-play for those who appreciate rich, atmospheric gaming experiences.
- “The soundtrack is another highlight, with a memorable, atmospheric score that complements the game’s tone perfectly.”
- “The art, the music, the gameplay, the whole atmosphere (almost everything you do is narrated in real time, it's a feeling almost no other game could achieve).”
- “Bastion is one of those games whose atmosphere is conveyed not only by visual effects and music, but also by a voice commenting on what is happening.”
- “The part of Bastion that clearly stands heads and shoulders above the rest of the game is the atmosphere - a gritty, dark fairy tale full of tragedy surrounds you on every step you take through a world broken apart by the calamity.”
- “The atmosphere this game creates alone is worth the money.”
- “The narrator’s voice is deep and brooding and when I first started playing it was somewhat disconcerting, largely due to the fact that the voice is slightly unnerving, and creates an atmosphere of uneasiness.”
emotional
583 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
Bastion is widely praised for its emotional depth, with many players noting the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its poignant storytelling, beautiful visuals, and haunting soundtrack. The unique narration enhances the emotional experience, making players feel deeply connected to the characters and their journeys. Overall, the game is described as a touching and memorable adventure that resonates long after completion, often leaving players in tears by its conclusion.
- “Bastion is a visually striking and emotionally resonant action RPG that blends engaging gameplay with a powerful narrative.”
- “This game is deep, emotional, and bittersweet, and flawless where it truly matters.”
- “The emotional impact and subtle hints about the world before the events and during them fills you with a kind of bittersweetness that seems just enough to appease while reminding you that those times have passed; this is the world now.”
- “And it's really sad, because interesting themes get overlooked all the time for a cheap buck, and someone decided to put a ton of effort into telling a boring story with an uninteresting setting; it's almost annoying.”
- “It's somewhat pretty but mostly dull, easy, and stuffed with a very boring story.”
- “Horrible combat, voice actor over-acts, boring storyline.”
humor
263 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is primarily delivered through a witty and engaging narrator whose commentary adds a light-hearted touch to the gameplay, often eliciting laughter with clever quips and observations about the player's actions. Many players appreciate the balance of humor with the game's more serious themes, noting that the narrator's voice and timing enhance the overall experience, making it both entertaining and immersive. While some find the constant narration can become repetitive, the majority agree that it significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The narration commenting on your every move is an impressive, humorous touch.”
- “The narrator's voice is perfect for the atmosphere and also adds some great humor to the gameplay.”
- “The humor in the narrator never gets old because his voice just has those kind of voices that is pure awesomeness.”
grinding
168 mentions
5 % positive mentions
7 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly when pursuing achievements or upgrades. While some appreciate the option to grind for enhancements, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to repetitive gameplay. However, several players noted that the game can be completed without extensive grinding, making it more accessible for those who prefer a streamlined experience.
- “Not too long, and not very grindy either - once you finish an area it's cleared and you move on.”
- “Only there is no grinding in this game, making it even better.”
- “Bastion is an especially excellent example of what indie games are capable of, with its combination of colorful scenery, engaging storyline, and a measured pacing that results in little to no grinding for players.”
- “The weapon trials are not fun and very tedious.”
- “To upgrade them you need to spend a significant amount of time grinding.”
- “The story is like 'oh, yeah, so what?', while the combat is just grindy and tedious.”
optimization
88 mentions
38 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering and frame drops, particularly on higher-end systems. However, others report smooth gameplay and excellent performance, especially on lower-end devices like the Steam Deck, indicating that the game's optimization may vary depending on the hardware used. Overall, while some users encountered serious lag, many praised the game's ability to run well on a range of systems, highlighting its solid performance and visual appeal.
- “The game ran very smoothly and I didn't encounter any bugs or performance issues on the Steam Deck, and the game looks great.”
- “It’s optimized and plays extremely well, giving you a few hours of gaming bliss.”
- “Brilliantly well optimized, I was capable of playing it without any hiccups on a Pentium 3.”
- “But a 13-year-old action game shouldn't have performance issues on a 4080 and AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D.”
- “Albeit, the game suffers severe lag/stuttering which makes the game unplayable.”
- “Worst performance I've ever seen out of a game, from one of the least graphically heavy games I've ever played.”
character development
78 mentions
53 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its depth and integration into the narrative, while others find it lacking or simplistic. Many highlight the vibrant character designs and environments, which enhance the overall aesthetic experience, but note that the actual character arcs and story progression may not be as compelling or well-developed. Overall, while the visuals and artistic elements are celebrated, the character development itself often falls short of expectations.
- “The game's lush environments, vibrant colors, and detailed character designs create a mesmerizing world that feels alive and captivating.”
- “Easily one of the best written stories I have seen in a game for a long time, the depth of character development including design traits and backstory allows the player to have a wide variety of imagination to fill in the gaps of these characters' lives.”
- “Bastion is a really great game with an interesting story that is revealed through the game, fantastic character development, and a beautiful hand-painted environment.”
- “The game does not really have a story or character development.”
- “There isn't a lot of plot or character development at the beginning, so I was confused about what people were talking about when they praised this game's narrative.”
- “Don't get this if you're expecting a lot of nuance or depth, especially in character development.”
stability
41 mentions
27 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
71 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a smooth experience with minimal to no bugs, particularly on macOS and Linux. However, others have encountered various glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, including softlocks and issues with resolution settings. Overall, while many find the game enjoyable and well-optimized, a notable portion of users highlight significant stability concerns that detract from the experience.
- “Runs great on macOS.”
- “The only good thing I can note is that it runs great on Linux.”
- “The game runs great, with barely a bug to see.”
- “The gameplay can be very rough around the edges, pretty clunky and even buggy.”
- “Several levels can softlock, requiring glitches to unstick yourself or restarting the levels (notably the mines due to the delay from hitting a switch to the change in the environment actually happening).”
- “It's alright for a bit but then it just gets boring and glitches in the game are annoying, like when you do the weapon challenges and you get stuck on a platform, so you have to die over and over again just to restart.”
monetization
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, positioning it as a refreshing alternative in a market often criticized for greed and exploitative practices. Reviewers appreciate the game's polished presentation and engaging storytelling, highlighting that it stands out as a complete experience without the burden of in-app purchases or aggressive marketing tactics.
- “This is what I believe to be a masterpiece of a game with no microtransactions. You take the role of the kid in a world that has already been destroyed, and along the way, you will meet characters and companions to enrich the story, as each character has their own personality and backstory.”
- “Beautiful graphics, amazing soundtrack, intriguing storyline, silent protagonist, great level design with minimal backtrack, challenging achievements, no IAP/microtransactions.”
- “In an age of microtransactions, greedy devs and publishers, and non-impactful gameplay, Supergiant always manages to stand out.”
- “Bastion was somewhat of a risky buy; the advertising and the marketing allude to a lukewarm game with little meat or fat to its taste.”
- “What's really great about this game is that there was no ungodly amount of marketing and advertising; the game defends itself and there is no disappointment element that happens in other, largely advertised products that, in the final look, are not what they were showing and telling you about.”