Bastion is an Action RPG for Xbox Live Arcade coming out this summer. I got a chance to play through the demo of Bastion at E3 2011. Yo play as a character known as the Kid, who is thrust into a world that has literally crumbled around him in a great Calamity. He must now construct a safe haven and build a new world from the remnants of the past. If you've seen the trailers for Bastion you know the game looks gorgeous, but really the trailers do not do justice to how good this game looks. The bright and colorful work is constantly behind built around you, and I never got tired of watching it form.
As you play Bastion it quickly becomes apparent that a lot of love has been out into the game. Beyond the visual beauty there is a narrator who both guides and responds to your actions. Normally, I do not pay a lot of attention to the dialog in role playing games because I focus on the fighting and looting, but in Bastion you can't help but pay attention to it. It is really well done and the way it dynamically responds to your playing it genius.
The combat is not to be ignored through. You have three buttons mapped to your weapons and special attack. As you acquire new weapons you can swap out what is assigned to each button to fit your play style and the current enemies. Beyond these controls you have the ability to block and roll. The roll I found especially useful as it not only gets you away from attacks but will damage enemies and break environmental objects. You do have to use it wisely as the world is destructible and if you are not careful you can fall right off the edge. The shield's block is also more useful than in a lot of action RPGs as it not only keeps you from getting hurt but will send enemy projectiles back at them if you air it carefully.
All of these pieces fit together to make Bastion much deeper than the average action RPG. Sure, you can probably play through by button mashing, but you will be rewarded if you take the time and allow yourself to be immersed in the world. Bastion is coming out as part of the Summer of Arcade this year and personally I can't wait for it to release.
