Press

Since we first unveiled Bastion in September 2010, the gaming press and game players alike have had a lot of flattering things to say about their firsthand experiences with the game. So don’t take our word for it (we’d never be this nice to ourselves anyway), and have a look at some of the press we’ve received!

Awards for Bastion

Bastion has earned more than 100 awards from dozens of different publications, including spots of Best of the Year lists from TIME, the Associated Press, NPR, CNN, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Wired, and more.

Reviews of Bastion

Bastion earned rave reviews from game critics all around the world. Here are examples of what critics have had to say:

“By wrapping every gameplay element around story conceits, Bastion becomes something new and exciting.” – Game Informer (Rating: 9.25 / 10)

“The soundtrack is phenomenal, the world is breathtaking, and the narration is a brilliant new idea for gaming.” – PC Gamer (Rating: 92 / 100)

“Bastion isn’t just one of the year’s best titles. It’s also one of the best stories you’ll see in an indie game.” – GamePro (Rating: 5 / 5)

“This game is amazing and you owe it to yourself to download it.” – IGN.com (Rating: 9.0 / 10)

“It’s frightening to think how much the human voice has done to distance Bastion from the crowd.” – Edge (Rating: 9 / 10)

“The entire game drips with passionate artistry from the gorgeous watercolor aesthetics to the stirring soundtrack.” – Wired (Rating: 9 / 10)

“The game is fun and colorful throughout, yet within that spirit of fun, the level design evokes a remarkable range of emotion.” – A.V. Club (Rating: A)

“Bastion…wishes to persist, as a living artwork that may be revisited forever.” – Kill Screen (Rating: 9 / 10)

“Screw being one of the best downloadable games of the year, Bastion is one of the best games of the year. Period.” -Machinima.com (Rating: 9.5 / 10)

“This is a fully formed masterpiece of action gaming as art, indeed.” – Adrenaline Vault (Rating: 5 / 5)

“Assured in tone, beautiful to look at, challenging to play. And more still: wonderful to listen to, in its voice, sounds and design.” – Time Techland (Rating: 9.2 / 10)

“I can’t emphasize enough how much of a treat I found it to be on both the audio and visual side, in addition to the excellent combat provided throughout.” – Gaming Age (Rating: A)

“The overall experience Bastion provides is incredibly polished in both its presentation and the fluid, fast-paced combat.” – ShackNews (Rating: 9 / 10)

“Bastion finds itself on that ever-so-small list of games that left me short of breath and covered in goosebumps as the narrative conclusion drew nigh.” – Paste Magazine (Rating: 9 / 10)

Bastion Sweeps E3 2011
Bastion is the winner of the Game Critics Award for Best Downloadable Game of E3 2011. In June 2011, Bastion earned more than 15 Best of E3 awards or nominations following its showing at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, including recognition from major publications such as Game Informer, Official Xbox Magazine, 1UP.com, Eurogamer, and many others.

Bastion in the IGF
In January 2011, Bastion was named a finalist in the 2011 Independent Games Festival for Excellence in Visual Art and Excellence in Audio.

Preview Highlights:

“The way the narration reacts to what you do as you do it is the first big stand-out thing about Bastion. The way it keeps up with you as you’re finding new things almost feels like magic.” – Giant Bomb

“Just watching the faces and excited whispers of people who play or watch the game is a good indicator — gamers are downright entranced.” – IGN.com

“We were instantly charmed by its tight controls, intriguing story concept, arresting visuals, and completely original approach to audio.” – Game Informer

“The sensation of hearing a tale unfold while simultaneously dictating its events is one of several reasons this action-RPG looks so promising.” – GameSpot

“The effect of this narration is magical. It feels as if you are living a story into existence.” – Kotaku

“This indie action-RPG shows off a distinct art style and one of the more creative uses of narration.” – 1UP.com

“What captured my imagination about the game was that it was just so charming.” – Rock Paper Shotgun

“With lush visuals and an interactive story told by a narrator in real time as you play, it seemed like the best of brilliant games I love, yet something entirely all its own.” – Destructoid

“Out of everything I played at PAX East 2011, the game that got me most excited was an action-RPG called Bastion.” – The Escapist

“This is one of those games where everything from the graphics, music, narration, and mechanics all work together to create something that feels fresh and exciting.” – Ars Technica

“Bastion … is generating some serious buzz as it approaches its summer Xbox Live Arcade debut.” – GameSpy

“An innovative new action role-playing game with a fantastic and unique narrator.” – GamePro

“When the 20-minute demo ended, I wanted nothing more than to keep hacking, collecting and listening.” – Wired

“Bastion is one of the truly imaginative role-playing games … a rarity among the fantasy-themed video games that come and go by the dozen.” – VentureBeat

“I absolutely adore the art style and the narration elements.” – Evil Avatar

“This is the first game from developer Supergiant, but all signs show Bastion as a refreshing take on the action-rpg genre.” – Paste Magazine

“From the soulful guitar strumming to the gravely voice of the narrator, [the audio] really adds a whole other dimension to the game.” – Shonen Jump

“At PAX 2010, you wouldn’t get very far into a conversation before hearing about Bastion.” – EGMi

“The narrator in Bastion is unique. While he explains things as you go throughout the story, the way which the game uses the narrator is quite astonishing.” – DIY Gamer

“Bastion really felt like a nice breath of fresh air.” – GamePro

“You’re not going to want to miss this one.” – Games Radar

“[S]triking visuals and a keen sense of humor.” – A.V. Club

“Bastion is one of the truly imaginative role-playing games I’ve seen, a rarity among the fantasy-themed video games that come and go by the dozen.” – Venture Beat

“With a tone unlike anything you’ve ever played (or seen), this is not your average action RPG.” – Eurogamer

“Bastion’s breaking new emotional ground.” – VG 247

Bastion named one of the Indie Games of 2011 That You Need to Play by G4: “Kinetic action combined with an Eastern fantasy art-style makes this one of the downloadable games that will put retail counterparts to shame.” – G4TV.com

“Bastion lives up to the company’s title.” – G4TV

Video: Bastion awarded ‘Best New IP‘ of PAX 2010 -Machinima.com

“I was amazed by how fluid and perfect the combat felt, requiring decisive action and narrow escapes while being ridiculously easy to pick up.” -GameShark

“There is not another game like this on the market now.” – Talking Ship

Bastion nominated for Editors Choice – Best Upcoming Indie by IndieDB.com

We’ve quoted some of the nicer bits here though please check the full previews of the game for more details.