Sorry for the inactivity!
Between being sick and being busy, Salty and myself haven't had a great deal of time to do reviews and articles. I apologise for missing Flashback Friday, but we'll make it up to you! Pinky promise.
PS4 Official Announcement! Details!
Let's start with the specs. They're, well, vague to be frank. It's going to have a 'supercharged PC architecture , which makes it seem like it's going to have a decent amount of whammy behind it. It'll also have 8 Gigabytes of unified memory, with an X86 CPU running the show. It also boasts an 'enhanced PC GPU'....Yeah, I won't lie. I don't know what that is. Moving on!
My greatest fears have been realized The Playstation 4 is NOT backwards compatible. So don't chuck away your older hardware. It looks like you'll be needing it after all. However, it seems like you will be able to stream your older games from the Cloud, which would be a good way to get around the whole issue. Although, for what it would have been worth, perhaps they should have just made it backwards compatible...Food for thought, Sony.
The new controller has a slightly more rigid shape than gamepads of old, but actually looks decent. I was worried about the addition of a touch-pad, but it looks like it may just work after all. There is also a headphone jack at the bottom for headsets and any other peripherals Sony release. It also has a dedicated share button, so you can post images, videos and the like directly to your favourite social network. Not really something I felt my games needed to have, but we'll see how it goes. They also want to link the new console to the PS Vita as a controller, and also to stream games...Sony, no amount of pushing will get me to buy your handheld. I am sorry, but no. Stop.
Video sharing is becoming a more integral part of the Playstation experience. Using their new Eye Toy (I know it has a better name, but it's an Eye toy. Let's not beat around the bush), you can not only watch a live stream of your friend's game while they play it but can also take over if they allow it to help out. I could see this being incredibly helpful in certain circumstances, but also opens the door for a lot of ruined friendships. Who wouldn't just chuck their friend into a lava pit? You would, don't lie.
You can now download games while you play, while you stream other games and even while the thing is off! This is a big yes for me. A huge yes. No longer will I be stuck on the main menu. Heavenly. Socially, you can use your Facebook alias instead of your game title if you so wish. Not really fussed about that either to be honest, but I can see why it's in there. Game-wise, the roster sounds decent: Diablo 3 (Not a great game, but I'll let it slide), a new Infamous game, a new Killzone and Watch Dogs. That is a decent lineup, Diablo 3 aside.
And now, the moment of truth has arrived: What does it look like? This new masterpiece, this titan, this slice of sweet, sweet Heaven? Well, we have no idea. Yup. They didn't give us diddily squat. I like to think it will be a gelatinous blue blob that just connects directly into your nervous system. Let your imagination roam. We did, however, get a rough release date: Late 2013, just in time for the festive season.
So there is the round-up for you. Personally, it sounds like the PS4 will be the greatest yet, social gimmicks aside. But who knows, maybe those new features will grow on me. I'm willing to give it a try, and I am excited to learn more about it as release days gets closer.
Kickstarter Saturday - Updates
So as many of you know, my weekly article Kickstarter Saturday highlights games that are being funded via the crowdfunding website Kickstarter, as the name may suggest.
I started with Artizens by Artizens Inc. so that's where the updates will start. I am happy to say that Artizens has been fully funded, and then some, 157% at my last check with 27 hours to go. I am very happy for everyone at Artizens Inc. The game looks fantastic and I cannot wait to play it.
Artizens' stretch goals are as unique as Artizens itself seems to be, for every stretch goal that is achieved, a new pet for EVERY backer will be unlocked. The stretch goal "bounties" can be found here.
The second KS was Cryamore by NostalgiCO. Cryamore was already fully funded when I covered it, which was contrary to my original plan, but I couldn't resist covering it, it is one of the better looking games I have seen on Kickstarter, and it sounds amazing as well, so it kinda wins in all the areas. At my last check Cryamore was at 279% funded and with 9 days to go. My original article can be found here.
And thirdly, came Asylum, a Lovecraft inspired journey through, as the name suggests, an asylum. I wont go into too much detail about Asylum in this brief update because the Asylum article was only posted last week. But Asylum is up to 83% funded with 11 days to go. I hope they get the funding they need because Asylum looks amazing.
I would also like to thank the Artizens guys and Augustin Cordes for replying to my tweets on the weeks of their articles, just goes to show that community is important to both of these guys, which in my opinion, is only ever a good thing.
I started with Artizens by Artizens Inc. so that's where the updates will start. I am happy to say that Artizens has been fully funded, and then some, 157% at my last check with 27 hours to go. I am very happy for everyone at Artizens Inc. The game looks fantastic and I cannot wait to play it.
Artizens' stretch goals are as unique as Artizens itself seems to be, for every stretch goal that is achieved, a new pet for EVERY backer will be unlocked. The stretch goal "bounties" can be found here.
The second KS was Cryamore by NostalgiCO. Cryamore was already fully funded when I covered it, which was contrary to my original plan, but I couldn't resist covering it, it is one of the better looking games I have seen on Kickstarter, and it sounds amazing as well, so it kinda wins in all the areas. At my last check Cryamore was at 279% funded and with 9 days to go. My original article can be found here.
And thirdly, came Asylum, a Lovecraft inspired journey through, as the name suggests, an asylum. I wont go into too much detail about Asylum in this brief update because the Asylum article was only posted last week. But Asylum is up to 83% funded with 11 days to go. I hope they get the funding they need because Asylum looks amazing.
I would also like to thank the Artizens guys and Augustin Cordes for replying to my tweets on the weeks of their articles, just goes to show that community is important to both of these guys, which in my opinion, is only ever a good thing.
Flashback Friday: Pokemon Blue
Week three has arrived, and we're having a swing at one of the major players! Swaggering up to the plate today is Pokemon Blue, a generation-defining game from the 1990's. It was what truly ignited the mad craze that was Pokemania, a phenomenon that has only grown in might since. While you could argue I should review Red and Blue, I never played Red as a kid and so it wouldn't really be a flashback, would it?
Unfortunately, I had to emulate the original game and so it isn't an exact comparison. But I'm sure you can forgive me. Let's warm up with the graphics. I'm sure I don't need to tell you just how horribly they have aged. Even between Blue and the next generation (Gold and Silver), the change is obvious. So, from that angle, the game doesn't maintain the same allure it once did. But that was to be expected and, blinded by nostalgia, I let it slide.
The gameplay is something I have long-since missed. These were the days before Pokemon Contests or Musicals. It was fresh, it was innovative and it could carry itself with ease. Playing with manageable goals, namely becoming the best Trainer and defeating the Elite Four, gave me a great sense of relief. It was a streamlined experience and one that I relished every second of. However, I did miss the addition of various new types such as Steel and Dark. But it is a trade-off I willingly gave in exchange for a 'pure' Pokemon game.
On the subject of improvements, I really missed the Running Shoes. I had forgotten just how slow your character moved, as well as how stunted some of the dialogue can be. It felt slightly forced which is understandable considering the lack of real conflict in the game. Minus the somewhat hollow threat that was Team Rocket, the game was very self-motivated. There was no over-ruling villain to defeat as such, no evil minions. The story in the series has strengthened over time, I concede that much. This was addressed in Yellow, the third game of Generation 1, which seems to cling closer to the anime of the same name.
So, to wrap this review up, Pokemon Blue is still very much the classic it was. But, like all classics, it does not appear healthy to the modern eye. It is very aged, very brittle and does not offer the 'variety' that the modern games do. In a society where more is more, it's little more than a doodle on a napkin. But to those who were there for the first 151, it will always be a Picasso, a bizarre blend of ideas that shouldn't have worked which formed a global gaming giant. While it is not a game that will last generations, it is a game that will last the ages.
How To Valentine: The Gary Hudston Story
Hudston had made several attempts to contact the company, each having met with little success. But he wasn't one to give up. He managed to snag himself some time with Ellen McLain, the voice behind the devilish GLaDOS, who agreed to lend her talent to his project. So with a major player at his side and Valve now backing him up, all he needed was those modified levels....
He jumped over to a popular Portal forum site, requesting help on a very hush-hush project that would require two custom maps, as well as one very unique room. Naturally, all the other forum members had to go on at first was his word. This led to a lot of dead ends and false hopes, until he provided proof of Valve's backing and McLain's role reprisal. Very quickly he had his two designers: Douglas 'TopHATTwaffle' Hoogland and Rachel 'Miss Stabby' van der Meer, who were both well known for their modding abilities. Six weeks rolled by and Hudston's quest was almost complete. All that remained was the final presentation.
Always the romantic, he popped the virtual question to Stephanie 'Stephy' Harbeson on her 21st birthday. Once all the presents had been unwrapped and awed over, Hudston came to the crux of it al. He presented her with the levels, sat back, and crossed his fingers. She played through merrily, suspicious of something but unsure of exactly what he was up to. And then she realised GLaDOS was talking directly to her.
When the mechanical mistress finally asked the question Stephanie turned around with tears in her eyes. And there was Gary, on one knee, ring in hand. She said yes, of course. Wouldn't you? The wedding was in February of 2012, and it's my understanding they are still very much in love. So there you go, geeks and geekettes. There is hope for us all! We just have to brave it, go large or go home.
More details, along with the video of the levels, can be found here
DmC Gets Bloody Palace
Bloody Palace mode is coming to DmC: Devil May Cry next week, 19th for US PS3 players and the 20th for EU PS3 and EU/US 360.
So get ready to put your demon killing skills to a real test.
Face your demons.
Information on The Next Xbox?
It seems you can hardly turn any where on the internet nowadays without hearing about the next generation of consoles and it seems like, today, new information has surfaced about the new Microsoft console, Codename: Durango.
The first thing that I read made me cringe and wince... Mandatory Kinect... Yey! Ugh...
Although the sensor has reportedly been beefed up but unless it gives me a cookie every time I get an achievement I can't see my getting TOO excited about the forced Kinect-ivity.
It also looks like the games will install automatically and in the background as you play because "Durango" games apparently can't read directly from the disc.
Not only that but you can suspend play and switch around through other apps and games and then go back to the original game a'la smartphone apps. Sounds neat.
At this moment, this is all conjecture so don't take anything I say as gospel.
Oh and also, I didn't feel the need to mention the obvious graphical improvements because... Durrr..
The Last of Us: Delayed?
Don't panic, people. This is still just a rumour but it's looking like Naughty Dog's latest love-child may stumble into the limelight later than expected. Best Buy has shunted the date from May 7th to June 18th, although GameStop and Amazon haven't changed their release dates. Naughty Dog has never delayed a game before after giving out a release date, so this could be a first for the company. Sony has not yet returned a comment on the blip. We'll keep you up to date with the latest as it happens.
More information can be found here.
Dead Space 3 Awarded Top Spot?
Yeah, that's right. Dead Space 3 has managed to claw its way into the best-selling game this week. I cannot even begin to tell you how much this lets me down. You may recall that I wrote a review on the demo a couple of weeks back. It was my first article on this site, as a matter of fact. And I was incredibly proud of it, if I do say so myself. I thought I had encapsulated the experience perfectly, and I had assumed that Dead Space fans the world over would have boycotted this unwelcome departure from the series format. I was wrong.
The game must have something that the demo did not flaunt. In fact, there must be a lot of those 'somethings'. A demo, by its very name, should show us the best a game has to offer and not just some lukewarm appetiser. There could be several reasons behind this sudden shift in power. The fans may have decided 'this is a good direction for the game' and supported the franchise. In which case, all the more power to you. I am a fan of the first two, but this one just feels too genial to be a true Dead Space game. I respect your attitudes, and I hope to be proven wrong. Heck, if the argument is convincing enough I would even review the actual game! Which, I'm sure you'll remember, is quite the jump from my opinion mere weeks ago.
Or there is the second, and I feel more likely, scenario. EA is a colossus in the gaming world. It has cash to spare and a mean right hook when it comes to advertising. And it is that advertising that, I personally believe, has caused this boom. We're in a bit of a gaming stalemate right now, waiting for the exciting blockbusters releases to come piling in. Until then, we have the new DMC game to keep us warm and it isn't exactly a stellar success. So any new game with a strong past would rather powerful support. Add to that the fact that Dead Space 3 is slapped on everything from buses to television and you have a recipe for a winner. Here is the list for you to look at: As you will see, a lot of franchises rule that board (Oh, and the top two are EA games. Just putting that out there.).
You guys can judge for yourself. But, for me, I will see how Dead Space 3 fares at time passes and then possibly give it a chance. Until then, my opinion is set. It's still a no from me.
Kickstarter Saturday - Asylum
As a fan of H.P. Lovecraft, this game jumped right out at me, Asylum by Senscape and Augustin Cordes.
Asylum is a point and click adventure game set in a large, decaying mental asylum. One can assume that, with the setting and the Lovecraft inspiration, the game will be completely terrifying in the most delightful way. As much as people would like to deny it, everyone loves being scared. It's one of the things that make us feel truly alive.
There aren't a lot of details about Asylum as of yet as Senscape feel it better to keep story details under-wraps to surprise the players, I think that this is a good technique, too much information is liable to sully the experience and no-one wants their experiences sullied.
According to the Asylum Kickstarter page, the story of Asylum will be "very twisty and satisfying." Now I don't know about you, but those are two words I love to hear when describing any game, twists keep things fresh and new, also with close to 100 rooms to explore in the Hanwell Mental Institute, filled with detail and back story, Hanwell's history is your's to discover.
For helping to fund this project via Kickstarter, you can receive some pretty awesome rewards, including being immortalized in-game, if you pledge $10,000 you can even be an integral point of the story, appearing twice and being a bit of a nuisance to as many players as the game gets. Which will hopefully be a lot as Asylum sounds incredible.
At the time of writing, Asylum is 52% funded with 19 days to go.
The other rewards I haven't mentioned can also be found on the Asylum Kickstarter page
Flashback Friday: Sonic The Hedgehog 2
The experience of powering it up after all these years was immense. The music took me back to weekends in my room, playing it with my little brother, saying 'screw you' to sunlight and letting the monitor give my skin an unhealthy glow. The graphics were simple yet effective and I started to realise that the modern Sonic games had strayed far further from the format than I had been aware. It made me long for that golden era I had built up in my head, where the games were just....better, you know? But then I fell through the game and that illusion was shattered.
The bugs in this game! I must have blocked them from my memory, because when I was young it played like a dream. But now, if I stepped somewhere at the wrong time, the coding broke and pushed me down through the earth and off the screen to my death. Either that, or I became embedded in the scenery, unable to move. Now this could be down to the original coding, or it could be the result of a poor port. But, emulated on modern consoles, it was a freaking nightmare.
The controls were familiar, intuitive and simple. The characters, Sonic more so than Tails, had a sense of weight to them when they moved. Sonic became incredibly sluggish in water, and would gradually pick up speed outside of it if his stride was unbroken. This is something that the newer games have lost along the way. We want that feeling of speed, Sega. The current Sonic feels feather-light by comparison. I can't fault it in that respect.
The story is nothing to write home about. Robotnik(as he was known then) was stealing up animals as always, turning them into robots, blah blah blah. But you didn't play it for the story. You played it to enjoy yourself, and when I was a kid that was what it delivered. But, after all these years, do I feel the same? Can it still give me that warm feeling when I smash a level in record time, or nab a Chaos Emerald?
The truth is, it's a mixed bag. Yes, I liked playing it. I loved the nostalgia, I loved how simple and straight-forward it was. However, it hasn't aged well. Or, I should say, it has aged well alongside me. It's too bland, too buggy and it gave me no incentive to push forward. I've been spoiled by modern games such as Bastion and the Xbox masterpiece Lost Odyssey in regards to story. I need a game I can connect with, and characters I can relate to and Sonic 2 provides none of that.
So to sum up, this isn't a bad game. If you want to unwind for half an hour or so, it's right up your alley. But it holds no depth and no real challenge, which is what many gamers look for now. It was a stepping stone, and should be viewed as such.
The Great Next-Gen Warm-Up.
As you all know, the Console Wars is about to step it up another level: The next generation is coming, and its approaching fast. We already have one forerunner, the Wii U, but it has made less of an impact than Nintendo had hoped for. Let's be honest, it didn't have the same impact that the Wii had, not by a long shot. What it needs is something to stand against. It needs competition.
Enter the Playstation 4, Sony's new purebred stallion. We know very little about it, but rumors run abound. The design of the console itself varies, as does the release date. The controller will do away with regular analogue sticks and replace them with touch-sensitive pads. Not a fan of those personally, but we will see how they're implemented What we do know, though, is that we will not in Europe til early 2014 at the latest.). Backwards compatibility seems to be a thing of the past, as well as second-hand games. Neither will be playable on the new hardware, it seems. It comes with the PS Eye, the far more accurate successor to the Eye Toy of old. We also know that, in Japan, it may cost more than 40,000 yen (roughly £275) but that price can fluctuate wildly as the release date approaches. One thing is for certain though. We will learn more at a huge unveiling on February 20th.
Microsoft is another veteran in the battle for supremacy, weighing in with the Xbox 720. Latest rumors have it being 'weaker' than the PS4 in terms of sheer power, but with nothing concrete to work on, it's just smoke and mirrors at this moment in time. The design of the box and the controller are a total mystery, and it will not allow for used games to be played on a different console. Logic would dictate that it will have a better version of the Kinect sensor, probably built into the console. The price is rumored to be between the £250-£300 mark, so competitive pricing against the PS4 is a no-brainer. The mystique should be broken at this years E3, so keep an eye open for that. I have a feeling that the Xbox 720 has more to offer, and that we will see the true extent of its might this summer.
However, neither of these next-generation consoles will match up to high-tier gaming PC's. That much is for sure. Valve has caused speculation by discussing the Steam Box, a possible console version of the incredibly popular software distribution system Steam. However, there are no specs for this device, nor is there pricing, physical appearance or even an estimated release date. It will, by all reckoning, come to the market but at this moment in time it is little more than conjecture. The market could do with an injection of fresh blood, and it would have been a welcome change.
The Ouya could have been that breath of fresh air. Another new 'console', it emerged from the Kickstarter website with grand dreams: Be your own game developer! Look! You can 'hack' the system and upgrade it however you like! All games have free-to-play aspects, whether that is the whole game or a simple trial. It has a $99 selling price and is set to become available in March. Yes, I know this all sounds fantastic. But the console itself is smaller than its controller, and runs on a modified Android operating system. This has to be one of my biggest let-downs in the console wars. Get it sorted, folks.
In conclusion, it seems that the giants have not left enough scraps for anything worthwhile to emerge. The Steam Box could very easily hold its own, and introduce a whole new generation to the idea of PC gaming but it doesn't seem set to make its appearance anytime soon. So, for the time being, we will have to make do with the Big Three. But, with steadily-improving graphics and larger, more in-depth games to play, will that be such a bad thing? That's for you to decide.
When Is A Duck Not A Duck? An Antichamber Review
Now, before I start I am only going off of the very limited time I have spent with this game, a short little play and a couple of YouTube videos, most notably the TotalBiscuit video with the developer, Alexander Bruce, where I pulled the title of this review from. It seemed like too good a line to pass up really.
Antichamber is a single person, first person puzzle game. That is where the similarities to any other game end. Some people have likened it to the Portal series, and I can see why. But doing so, is a massive disservice to both games, which are as different as they are similar.
The game is a series of choices, pratfalls, trials and triumph. With clever design and a habit of messing with your head. Antichamber tries to teach you to not trust what you have learnt from other games you have played in the past and instead slows you down, makes you look for the solution, it wont just hand it to you on a silver platter and hold you aloft while you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. No, not at all, Antichamber will perplex you, mystify you and ultimately charm you. I really cannot sing the praises of this lovely indie title enough, released only five days ago.
The game is highly psychological, featuring a 4D art gallery, and who can say no to that?
You can find Antichamber on Steam.
Deadpool: One To Watch
It's been well over a year since it was fist unveiled at the San Diego Comic Con, but all we got was a teaser trailer. I've been keeping a keen eye on this little nugget of gaming gold and it looks as though it's set to see the light this year! That's right folks, Deadpool will be breaking his way into your homes very soon. Now, let me explain why I believe this will be one of the best games in 2013.
If you're not in the know, Deadpool is from the Marvel Universe and is undoubtedly one of its greatest inhabitants. He is an anti-hero, a gun for hire with a twisted and almost-childlike sense of humour who has the habit of breaking the 'fourth wall'. Many times, in both comics and animations he would stare at the viewer and address them directly. His character is manic, and yet one that I feel gamers would love to explore. His mind is split into two in this re-imagining: A smarter, sophisticated half and his inner kid who just wants to shoot things. Who doesn't love that?
The game itself is going to be in third person, and based around melee and shooting of course. Deadpool possesses a wide range of swords and guns, and has certain talents and abilities that will unlock as the player progresses through the game. To add to this, you can also opt to take on other weapons, sledgehammers being one such example. The health bar will work on a regenerative system, and work as such: The more damage Deadpool takes, the more limbs he loses. That's right, he can lose arms, legs and even (it stands to reason), his head. But fear not! He also has Wolverine's famous healing factor, and the player will have the option to reattach their limbs or simply wait for them to regrow. Sounds pretty freaking awesome to me.
So, we have a wise-cracking assassin who regrows limbs and commits violence with a comical flair. It's going to be a game unlike any other we've seen in terms of character development and narrative Looks pretty solid to me.
Oh, and he is voiced by Nolan North. Yeah, that guy.
Deadpool is due for release on Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2013.
Click here for the trailer, and here for screenshots.
The Witcher 3 Announced
Game Informer Cover
Yes, you heard me correctly the hotly anticipated The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is this months Game Informer cover story, and has officially been announced. As you may notice by the picture, "A Must See Next Generation RPG." Next Gen? Yes, It's due to be released on "top of the line consoles and PCs" by 2014 so we will probably be in the next gen by then, with our PS4s and Xbox 720's (I hate calling it that... if anything its the Xbox 3.)
According to Game Informer though, The Witcher 3 is 30 times larger than The Witcher 2... That's massive right? Well, it must be, it's bigger than Skyrim. With a world that big you're going to need to fast travel right? Right, also there will be mounts and mounted combat
Wild Hunt isn't broken up into acts, however as the new engine, REDengine 3 allows for the exploration of a vast world, and the world of The Witcher 3 is truly vast. However, enemies won't scale to your level so it is possible to wander into an area of the map and have your face unceremoniously ripped from your body, and no one wants that. There will not only be blood thirsty enemies however, there will also be friendly characters who want try to have a bath in your blood, unpredictable weather and sailing.
See that? I ended on a strong note there. Sailing.
The Last of Us demo: A Gift From The Gods!
It's not been made clear if this demo will become available to the public at large, or if it will be an exclusive to those who bought Ascension. This is yet another reason to sink your teeth into Kratos' fun, if slightly aging, adventures. As if you guys needed another reason.
The Last of Us is due for release for Playstation 3 on May 7th.
More info on the game can be found here.
Kickstarter Saturday - Cryamore
I had originally planned to cover games that needed more exposure on Kickstarter but this game, Cryamore, Really caught my eye. It sounds almost to good to be true, and apparently more people than me thought that - Cryamore is currently sitting at 171% funded and still has over three weeks to go until the date the funding closes. To me, that is kind of incredible, but after reading through the games Kickstarter page, I can see why the funding has gone so well, so quickly.
Cryamore is an ARPG (action role playing game) and as you can see from the screenshot above, Cryamore looks amazing, the other screenshots on the page are equally as gorgeous. The gameplay of Cryamore will be strongly ability based, using elemental abilities to solve puzzles and advance through the game's story, as well as in combat, a'la Legend of Zelda and Metroid. Certain abilities can be linked to get the most bang for your buck, different abilities can give bonuses against certain elemental enemies. There is no shortage of abilities either.
The developers want the story of Cryamore to be engaging and want the players to play at their own pace, discovering secrets and piecing things together, also it seems the developers are fans of huge plot twists, so expect a couple of those as well, I can imagine.
The rewards for backing Cryamore can be found on the games Kickstarter page
Cryamore is being published by NostalgiCO
PS4 Revealed This Month?
There is also talk of releasing in anywhere between October or November of this year, which will usher in the second competitor in the next-gen race. Come on Xbox, pick up the pace or you're going to get left out in the cold. Regardless, this is going to certainly liven up the somewhat-stale battle of the giants. Keep your eyes here for any future updates!
Full details can also be found here.
Flashback Friday: Bastion
I didn't pick up Bastion until early 2012. A friend had been putting pressure on me to play this 'new and exciting game' and, at first, I wouldn't budge. Isometric camera angles didn't float my boat, and I had long since moved away from basic platform games. But after his relentless yammering, I broke and plugged myself in. It was one of my best decisions I had ever made.
The art style of this game needs be witnessed to be believed. Stills simply do not do the game justice. The colours can be bright and cheerful, or darker and solemn when needed. You can feel, when playing it, the love and care the developers poured into every pixel. It is vibrant, it is powerful and it will stay with you long after you complete the basic story. The weapons reflect this attitude, each more than just a hammer or a bow. They come with stories and unique art designs, as well as upgrades and side challenges for you to complete. You find them throughout the course of the story and, in general, they are all very well-balanced.
Plot and character development are two further points that I cannot rave enough about. It doesn't set up the story in the typical 'hero' fashion. Instead, you find yourself amongst the rubble of a ruined world and it is your job not only to piece the world back together, but to discover the truth behind the great Calamity that befell the land. I loved that approach. It felt far more fluid and urged to me to delve deeper, to search each area over and over for any secrets it held. The characters grow on you, and not a single one is bland. The Kid, your central character, has an optional side quest in which you learn about his past. The same can be said for the other three survivors you encounter. Each and every one of them has multiple dimensions to their personality, and you start to care for their well-being.
The soundtrack is an aural delight. It seamlessly blended together tints of the Old West with that of Asia, into something that has to be heard to be understood. The score matches each area or scenario perfectly, from the savage Wilds to the calm core that is the Bastion. I have this soundtrack in my collection, where it takes pride of place in being the only game soundtrack that I listen to regularly. It transcends the often-occupied realm of 'background music' into something much, much more.
How did this game change me, I bet you're wondering. Well, to be honest, it converted me. I adored this game, more than any in a long time, and I would defend it to the hilt. I no longer shun a game simply became of its camera angle, or because it's 'just another platformer'. Neither will I ignore the soundtrack of a game which, I now realise, can be an incredibly powerful mood-setter and often sets the tone for the entire game. Bastion is one of those games that, while short (Seven hours if you play solidly), makes you want to go back and find all those nuggets of truth. To upgrade your weapons and change the fate of their world through the choices offered to you at the game's end. To conclude, you must play this game. I want everyone to appreciate what a game should be: Not a money-grabbing franchise but something that envelops you and changes you for the better.
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