First Impressions - Bastion

I've played through the first few minutes of Bastion and the game - so far - does not disappoint. This XBLA downloadable plays smoothly, offers a fair amount of customization, and has been decently challenging. Beyond those gameplay elements, the game boasts a mesmerizing atmosphere that is rooted upon a beautiful aesthetic style, and the mysterious narrator who comments on almost everything you do - at least when you do it the first time. The first time I fell over the side, he jibed, "and then, he fell to his death. Just kidding." Thankfully, he doesn't say it every time I fall to a gravity-based death, or I might find his presence grating rather than atmospheric.

I am impressed. Expect a full review once I have completed the game. See the launch trailer released a few days ago, and check out a nice wallpaper provided by Supergiant Games on their website, after the jump.

What to Watch Out For: Kingdoms of Amalur - Reckoning

E3 has been abuzz with this eye-catching new title from Big Huge Games with storyworld designed by R.A. Salvatore. If you read or watch any of the previews of the game, it seems as if BHG is trying to combine the real time action combat of Fable with the open world and character development system of the Elder Scrolls series. We haven't been treated to much of the story yet, though we do know you'll be able to customize a character from a variety of races. You begin the game having just been resurrected from death with your memory wiped clean; one of the goals you'll pursue besides monster-slaying is finding out who killed you and why.

So far the story doesn't seem to be taking too many risks. The open-ended character development system and the action combat seem very promising though; You're never locked into one "class," but rather choose various talents and specialities as you level up, mixing and matching as you please. Warrior-Mage and Rogue-Mage Hybrids seem to be the popular choice among the video demos seen at E3.

I'm just looking forward to dual-wielding chakrams. Any game that lets you channel your inner Xena gets a plus in my book (See them in action at about 0:34 below, courtesy of gametrailers.com).

Tags: GameTrailers.com, Future Visions Trailer, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

See the E3 Debut Trailer below. Kingdoms of Amalur - Reckoning is slated for a Q1 2012 release.


Kingdoms Of Amalur: Debut Trailer - Watch more Game Trailers