Bastion Previews and Interview

A few new previews for Supergiant Games’ Bastion have surfaced recently, pointing out why you should be interested in the colorful action-RPG.

GameSpot

The new level was from roughly halfway through the upcoming action RPG and offered a more advanced challenge than the tutorial we had previously played. The environment was a swamp-like area populated by killer plants, tall reeds, new enemies, and a challenging boss who’s in a sour mood. The action unfolded with the same very cool evolution of the world around you, as the level pieced itself together as you explored. As before, the ever-present narrator was on hand to offer dynamic running commentary on the action. This time out it’s pretty crucial you pay attention to what he has to say. Being from much later in the game, the level was much more challenging than the tutorial, which made what the narrator had to say vital for survival.

Besides the omnipresent useful tips, the game also provides you with a spear. This new weapon is handy for dealing with the enemies you’ll encounter, which take the form of airborne critters that swoop in and plants that fire spores at you. Other foes, such as a jumpy armored frog thing, require you maneuver to get around their armor. The biggest hassle was the aforementioned boss, which griefs you for a fair chunk of the level. The worm-like enemy shoots out of the ground to have a chomp on you, forcing you to get very good at timed dodges. While it’s initially invulnerable to your attacks, the tables turn once you find the spear. The boss fight isn’t easy, but it’s doable once you become a ninja at the timed dodges–and you will.

Wired

The important thing about Bastion’s narration isn’t that it’s clever and funny, which it is. What’s so interesting about the (constantly talking old man) device is that it attempts to square the circle and unite the two stories, the one that’s written down and the one that’s told in the moment-to-moment actions of the player.

As I got my bearings and wandered across a bridge on the Warner Bros. game’s first map, I decided to test the limits of the game and walk off the edge.

(Then, the kid fell off the edge and died,) said the narrator, played by actor Logan Cunningham. (Heh heh, just foolin’.)

IGN has a video preview that points out the key features and shows some gameplay footage, while GameSpot also has an interview with Supergiant Games’ Greg Kasavin.