Dview: Bastion (XBLA)

The Bottom Line:
Bastion is an action RPG that was released as the first title of the Summer Of Arcade 2011 promotion.  i don't see this as an RPG, but an action game (too many action games are called RPGs, but that is a discussion for another time).  Actually, Bastion is basically a three button hack-n-slash game with weapon upgrades.  The narrator seems an interesting concept in the first place, but kind of wears thin.  You play as "The Kid", probably because the narrator didn't take the time to ask his real name.  The "kid" is faced with rebuilding his world (or survival) due to some event called "the calamity".  Basically, this game takes the old "Reader's Digest" approach to story telling - very condensed.  The story is just there as a backdrop.  Bastion does have a decent and colorful artistic design. 

Grade: C+ (i would probably recommend waiting for an eventual sale)

What to Expect:
* Ten or so weapons (only two can be used at a time) that can be upgraded to level 5 if you have the money and the items.  The weapons vary from the hammer to a mortar.
* Basic hack and slash - one button for each weapon and one for a special attack
* A colorful world where thing seem to materialize as you are exploring
* 6 buildings to make (upgradable once each) that will allow you to enhance the character, enhance equipment or make the game a little more challenging
* A fairly inconsequential story
* Three bonus areas you can get as the story progresses (which are basically a bunch or monster groups)
* Weapon challenges you can do that might earn you a special skill if you get first place (my least favorite part of the game)
* Challenges (called vigils) to do certain things within the game (my second least favorite)
* Numerous short levels where you look for shards or cores to rebuild the bastion

My Stats:
* Game Time: 8 Hours + (some money grinding)
* Achievements: 8/12 (110)
* Vigils: in progress as i'm on my game plus playthrough (at least 75%)
* Weapon Trials 1st Place: 3

Achievements:
The achievements in Bastion are mostly straightforward.  There are achievements for getting the vigils, story related, upgrading weapons, playing the game in game plus, finishing the "bonus areas" and some other things.  The hardest achievement will be 100% of the vigils, because you need first place on 7/10 weapon trials - some are evil time related ones.