I don't get the story of this game, why would I continue to play?

[Art Vandelay]

So, I bought this game and I love the narrating, the narrators voice, the visuals, the weapon system, the potions and really everything, but there is just one thing that bugs me:

is there any kind of story implemented? I have played for an hour now, cleared three stages and mastered the bow training level, but i dont know why i should continue.

the game has a high artistic value, but there seemingly is no plot or anything that would make me want to progress, and the process of clearing the levels itself is not fun enough to keep me playing. I really think this game is lacking a decent story that urges me to play on.


So, is there some kind of interesting story that kicks in later? because while the narration suggested that there was some great story behind this at first, the fact that the game does not really back up what the narrator is saying has made me lose hope.


Also, I feel very alone when playing this. I would've never believed it before, but it seems I need both a plot and an npc that you can interact with and that you can like as a person to want to continue. Do we ever get a companion in this apocalyptic world?

[Sbanato]

the game is not long at all, but I tell you this: the few characters you will meet in your journey omg you will love them. By the end of it you will understand COMPLETELY why you feel alone, why the voice why the world is falling apart and what you have to do.

"Get up kid, I said get up, it ain't funny"

Just give it time

[PJbottoms]

I believe a good game (at least RPG/Action RPG) should allow you to explore the mechanics and functions to the point where you haven't mastered them, but feel comfortable. About 4-5 hours in, the story needs to start make serious progression because thats whats gonna to keep you going.

A Good Example: Bastion. Without giving away too much, the premiss is simple at first: collect all the cores. That alone should be enough to motivate you to complete that task, because your still getting to master new weapons and skills. After that, well...

A Bad Example: Resonance of Fate. The gameplay and design was visually pleasing and also one of the most exciting battle systems I've experienced yet from an RPG, but that doesn't amount to much when you barely tell a story, and leave most of everything unexplained for the wrong reasons.

[Art Vandelay]

I have to say... after understanding how countering attacks works and how you can kill mobs without taking hits, I have to say this is one of the funnest fighting mechanics ive ever come across (yes, i dont play many games). that who knows were level was so entertaining because it was so challenging and had me on the verge of dying all the time.

i am truly glad i bought this game

[stray]

Man, I wish I was you so I could play this for the first time again. =p
Indeed it has a story. The difference is that it's not told in the modern "cutscene in your face" kind of way.
The story is delivered by the narrator, a couple painted still images here and there and that's it. Still, the delivery is really good.
When I first gave the game a go I ended up putting it down after a few hours and there it sat for months. I finnaly got around to play it again and when the story starts to blossom more, it's just great.

Like Sbanato said, give it time. It's worth it.

[bvguthrie]

If you have completed three stages, I assume that means you have done the opening level, the Workman's Ward, and either The Melting Pot or The Sundown Path. These levels are basic and introductory. The story really gets going with The Hanging Gardens when you meet Zulf. And that story is one of the best video game stories ever told.
As far as companions go, you do not get a companion per se, but you will meet Zia. I don't want to spoil anything, but, wait until you meet Zia--just wait.

[Maverick]

Publicado originalmente por Sbanato:

"Get up kid, I said get up, it ain't funny"

Just give it time

Honestly I teared up when I read your post. This game is one of those games that no matter how many times I play though it, still illicits an strong emotional response from me. OP, I promise that if you continue the game, you will find the storyline develops in a very powerful way.

[anton]

Uh... I guess you're playing with your sound off because if you listen to the narrator at all, you'll understand the story. It's pretty ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ simple.

[SpaceThePlace]

"Proper story's suppose to start from the beginning. Ain't so simple with this one."

[Ferus]

I have the same problem the OP has only I lost direction about 20 minutes into it and figured, what's the point? I love the art, I love the sound, the gameplay is fun, but I have no reason whatsoever to play it. It simply doesn't engage me at all. One of the best games to ever bore me to death.

[Werupenstein]

There is a story but I don't think it's a great story, not that it's bad, it's just secondary to the gameplay which is very good and gets better the further into the game you get.

[Cronos]

Publicado originalmente por Sbanato:

"Get up kid, I said get up, it ain't funny"

10/10 job saying the line you get when you win

[haggis25]

Problem is how it tells the story. It's done entirely though narration, no cut scenes or books to read. The story is told as you play it. The downside is in the beginning there not much story, because the Kid has no clue what happened. All he knows is something horrible has happened and he just trying to survive.

As you play you get to find out what happened. and who the kid and the others are.

[Pielord]

The story is the best part.

[Shaft]

To those saying "Why should I continue?", it's seems to me you lack some imagination. Now, every successful story needs a hook at the beginning, something to reel you in. Usually, it presents a mystery or a completely unusal situation that will make you want to know more. "Bastion" has both, and in abundance.

Here's the transcript of the opening scene:

Proper story’s supposed to start at the beginning. Ain’t so simple with this one. Now here’s a kid whose whole world got all twisted, leaving him stranded on a rock in the sky. He gets up. Sets off for the Bastion. Where everyone agreed to go in case of trouble. The ground forms up under his feet as if pointing the way. He don’t stop to wonder why. [...] He sees what’s left of the Rippling Walls. Years of work undone in an instant. In the Calamity.

This raises up so many interesting questions:

- What's this kid doing on a rock in the sky?
- Speaking of rocks in the sky, how's that even possible?
- What kind of a strange world does this kid live in, then?
- He sets of for the Bastion where everyone agreed to go in case of trouble... what's the Bastion, and more importantly - what's the trouble?
- The ground forms right under the kid's feet? Whoa!
- But, why doesn't he wonder why?
- Is this normal in his world, then?
- Well, who the hell is the Kid exactly?
- And who's the guy telling me all this?
- The Calamity... that must be the 'trouble', but what exactly?

And that's just in the opening narration. If this doesn't spark your imagination and drive you onwards to find out the answers to these questions - what will, I wonder?

[Battlestriker123]

I didn't care for Bastion's story. Even after I figured everything out, all I felt was 'eh, whatever'. As to why you should keep playing... it's because the game is fun!