Bastion Reviews

Bastion is ranked in the 98th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Sep 13, 2018

Simply put, Bastion is an indie masterwork. It fits right at home on the Nintendo Switch, being exactly the type of game suitable for mobile play. The gameplay’s simplistic nature makes it an easy game to hop in and out of on the go. And the optional challenges highlight the game’s thrilling and addictive combat, making it easy to come back to over and over again. My only regret is that I didn’t acknowledge this game sooner. Any gripes I might have towards Bastion seem nitpicky at this point. Seven years ago, Supergiant Games delivered a solid action RPG title. Now, it gets another chance to bask in the sun thanks to the Nintendo Switch.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 5, 2015

This PlayStation release pretty much completes the rounds for Bastion. Chances are that you own at least one of the platforms it is available on, and it's a game that simply needs to be experienced. It's a game that breaks the traditional rules that we're used to, giving us an experience that is still doing things that most other games are not, even four years after its original release. Depth in simplicity. A basic melding of ingredients. A heart. A soul. These are the elements that make Bastion transcend time, being a relevant and necessary release regardless of the year or platform.

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5 / 5.0
Apr 6, 2015

All in all, Bastion manages to maintain its shine. The game is still stunning in both its art direction and writing.

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Apr 8, 2015

Bastion stood out as one of the best titles when it first released years ago, and it stands just as tall this time around.

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9 / 10
Dec 4, 2018

Bastion on the Nintendo Switch brings back a successful RPG that is full of marvelous details, including a brilliant art style, a very involving narration technique and some very accessible gameplay mechanics. Continuing with the practice of bringing major, successful games to the Nintendo Switch, Bastion is worthy of all the attention it gets.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

9 / 10
Sep 11, 2018

Bastion is an unforgettable and enjoyable piece of software that stands as a strong example of how games can also be perceived as art. A charismatic narrator, beautiful visuals, intense action gameplay and heavy character customization make this a fairytale that you'll want to dive into again and again, and while the isometric view sometimes gets in the way of the gameplay, the other aspects of Bastion more than make up for this slight misstep. We'd highly recommend you give Bastion a try if you haven't played it elsewhere already; though this Switch port brings nothing new to the table, Bastion is a memorable modern classic that is an absolute must-play.

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89%
Jul 27, 2011

Quite simply, Bastion is a game with lots of character and precious few flaws. Any fan of old-school action RPGs would be remiss not to play this game. If every title released had Bastion’s sense of newness and adventure, the gaming world would be even better than it already is.

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92%
Sep 16, 2011

When I close a good, long book, I always feel a little sad, as if I had just said good bye to an old friend. I want to know what happens to the characters that I grew to love, but I have to accept the end and move on. Bastion is a short game, which will run most people around five or six hours. Nevertheless, I feel that same kind of loss. Although I truly believe that Bastion could have doubled its length in terms of gameplay, I’m glad that the story didn’t risk imploding on itself. Don’t let anyone tell you this is a Diablo clone—that would cheapen Bastion; it needs to be heard to be believed.

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9 / 10.0
Aug 2, 2011

Bastion is an arcade game with RPG elements, which is managed by a medium-complexity mechanic, but it is undoubtedly one of the titles having its own soul. It is charming and colorful, making it very fun to look like. The Supergiant Games team conjured up an extraordinary game, another step in the evolution of electronic entertainment towards a rich narrative, not limited only to reading the notes found along the way and dry conversations with the characters encountered.

Review in Polish | Read full review

Jump Dash Roll
Top Critic
Meh
Jul 15, 2018

Bastion's dialogue talks vaguely about the world and the characters, giving off a strong sense of world building, but if you start to dig and think too hard about it, the lack of depth does begin to show. The gameplay is charming and colourful but the mechanics themselves begin to feel a bit like a chore in their implementation.

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NZGamer
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Jul 19, 2011

Bastion is a fun and engrossing ride, and I highly recommend grabbing the demo to see if it's your kind of thing. Allow the soothing (well, gravelly) voice of the narrator to wash over you, and go find out just what happened to this destroyed, understated, beautiful world.

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4.5 / 5.0
Jul 20, 2011

With diverse, interesting gameplay, excellent production, and a world that sucks the player in, Bastion is a downloadable experience that's not to be missed. It's a game that every gamer should pick up, as it hits the core of why we all love our gaming hobby. Bastion celebrates experimentation, rewards exploration, allows room for growth and challenge, and never condescends. In the end, it leaves The Kid's motivations as an open issue. Are you a hero working toward a new golden age, a villain working out some major anger issues, or just a kid doing his best to muddle out of a bad situation? The Bastion ain't gonna tell you, son. That's gotta be up to you to decide.

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AusGamers
Grizz
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Jul 20, 2011

Dive-roll into it today.

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4 / 5.0
Apr 14, 2015

Bastion is an aesthetic dream, from the beautiful visuals that look like a painting come to life to the incredible soundtrack that breathes soul into that life. As a game, though, it could've been so much more. There's a great amount of replay value here, from the new game plus mode to the combat challenges, but that's only if the mechanics click with you enough to stick with it. Because of some frustrating controls and combat design decisions, Bastion is held back from being excellent, but remains great nonetheless.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 27, 2015

Bastion was excellent in 2011, and it's excellent now. Everything in Bastion - the narrative, the audio and visual presentation, and the gameplay - works together to create a cohesive experience, a feat few games can manage. Those who have played the game before won't find anything new here, but this release is for the dedicated fans, and for those who haven't experienced the game 'till now. If you're in the later camp, I envy you. You get the opportunity to play Bastion for the first time. As for the rest of us, well, it's just another opportunity to experience an excellent game again. Celondia, we're coming home.

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8 / 10.0
Apr 14, 2015

If you're looking for an action-RPG with a substantial story to fill the Diablo void in your life, then Bastion will be right up your alley. It plays well, has a striking aesthetic, and a unique story.

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9 / 10.0
Aug 31, 2011

Bastion is really surprisingly high quality action RPG. It has a unique processing and gaming style with well-designed development and application of weapons. A not inconsiderable factor that tilted the bowl of scales in favor of higher ratings is the excellent price.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Apr 12, 2015

Bastion even after 4 years is still an excellent title that everyone must know. Associations with Transistor - desirable.

Review in Polish | Read full review

Gamestyle
Top Critic
9 / 10
Jul 31, 2011

Bastion is a wonderful way to kick off the Summer Of Arcade and one that will be very hard to match from the other four titles. A mix of wonderful art, sumptuous sounds and deep involving gameplay make this one of the best XBLA games of the year.

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9 / 10.0
Jul 19, 2011

Bastion is a solid action-RPG that is put over the edge by its unique and entrancing concept. It's a fun game, but it would've had trouble standing apart from the crowd, even with its unique features. When you add in the awesome use of narration, the game becomes much more than the sum of its parts. Bastion manages to be engrossing from beginning to end. It's well paced, well executed and fun to play, and it's hard not to get more curious about what comes next. The lack of replay value, even with a NewGame+ and multiple endings, may hurt it a little, but if you're a fan of atmospheric and unique action-RPGs, then Bastion is well worth the 1,200 Microsoft points ($15).

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