Xbox Live's Summer of Arcade is officially upon us after the release of Bastion on Wednesday. The game, which is the first of five to be released over the next 30 days or so, will retail for 1200 Microsoft Points (Approx £10.20).
The title will apparently redefine storytelling in gaming. While that's certainly a noble aim for any game to have, it may be a slightly lofty ambition for an Indie developed XBLA title. However Microsoft have thrown a bit of weight behind it, considering that they have made it the first game of the Summer of Arcade so who knows? It may just be what it says it is.
The game defines itself as an Action-RPG that has the novel concept of containing an interactive narrator who charts your progress, with the narration presumably changing depending on how you complete various sections of the game. It doesn't exactly sound like a new genre-defining moment in storytelling, but the game may have other tricks up its sleeve that the developers aren't telling anyone.
The game also features 40 hand-painted environments, which makes a nice change from everything having to look as realistic as possible. It also should lend to provide the title with a unique look that will separate it from the crowd.
Other than that it sounds like pretty standard fare. There is an upgradeable weapons system and a host of beasties to smash your way through. There is even a New Game Plus mode should you manage to finish the game.
Initial impressions seem pretty good but we can't give you the full lowdown until we get our hands on the game ourselves.
