- July 11, 2021
- Black Cube Games
- 3h median play time
The Tale of Bistun
While starting strong, The Tale of Bistun loses interest over time, leaving the story, gameplay, and characters to try and make something out of stretched-thin mechanics.
Platforms
About
"The Tale of Bistun" is a story-driven action-adventure game inspired by the tragic poem "Khosrow and Shirin." You play as a stone carver with amnesia, who must battle through hostile enemies and explore two realms to uncover the secret of his past. As you journey through the real world and the Revelations Realm, you must unravel the mystery of your identity and defeat a colossal ancient evil.











- The game features a beautiful story based on Persian mythology, with rich narration and excellent voice acting, particularly from Shohreh Aghdashloo.
- Visually stunning with unique art design and smooth animations, the game creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the storytelling experience.
- Despite its simplicity, the game is enjoyable for those looking for a short, narrative-driven experience, making it a good choice for casual players.
- The combat system is overly simplistic and repetitive, lacking depth and challenge, which may lead to boredom for players seeking more engaging gameplay.
- The game is extremely linear, offering little room for exploration or meaningful choices, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Many players feel the game is overpriced for its short length and limited content, with some suggesting it should be priced lower to match its scale.
- story283 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
The story of "The Tale of Bistun" is rooted in Persian mythology, particularly the tragic romance of Farhad and Shirin, and is praised for its rich narrative, beautiful art, and strong voice acting, notably by Shohreh Aghdashloo. While many players find the storytelling engaging and well-executed, some criticize its linearity and simplicity, suggesting that the gameplay mechanics detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is recommended for those interested in immersive storytelling, despite some concerns about repetitive gameplay and pacing.
“The romantic story with masterfully incorporated symbolism and plot twists along with the exotic art style makes the game a sensational experience; it is short and does not overstay its welcome as well.”
“The game's core strength is the phenomenal storytelling using Persian mythology, great voice acting, beautiful graphics, and tuneful music.”
“The tale of Bistun tells a compelling story that offers a glimpse into Persian mythology and doesn’t overstay its welcome.”
“The story is not interesting enough to follow it to the end.”
“The story and the lore are so mish-mashed and mixed up from different myths and lores that it makes no sense whatsoever.”
“The main story with Farhad made no sense at all; the game felt monotonous and boring, like a walking simulator.”
The Tale of Bistun Review
Alongside simplistic combat, The Tale of Bistun tells a compelling story that offers a glimpse into Persian mythology and doesn’t overstay its welcome. It keeps your attention with smooth traversal through charming landscapes backed by a solid narration.
75%The Tale of Bistun
The Tale of Bistun is a wonderful mythological tale. The interesting characters, booming narration, and excellent plot are thoroughly enjoyable. Moreover, the excellent aesthetics and intelligent controls compensate for the minor shortcomings. In short, it is a great title that'll capture your attention from beginning to end. + Dreamy and surreal imagery. + Excellent audio. + Considered controls. + A fascinating story. + Marvellous characters. - Repetitive combat. - A linear approach. (Rating PEGI 12 Moderate Violence Release date: 13/07/2022 Price: £13.49) (Reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Also available on Xbox One and PC (Steam))
70%The Tale of Bistun Review
While starting strong, The Tale of Bistun loses interest over time, leaving the story, gameplay, and characters to try and make something out of stretched-thin mechanics.
40%