Bastion OST

Developed by just seven people - now that's an accomplishment.

Considering the growing popularity of Bastion and its soundtrack I think it is a good place to make a start. Bastion is a great little indie game developed by Supergiant Games and released in September 2010 to widespread critical acclaim. It follows the post-apocalyptic missions of a young boy who traverses beautifully painted landscapes fighting off various enemies in an arcade style smash-em-up RPG with a difference. The difference? An engaging and moving storyline powered by a stunning soundtrack by singer and songwriter, Darren Korb.

The moment the menu screen pops up the player is introduced to the tone of Bastion with some clear but slightly heavy acoustic guitar later accompanied by the characteristic lo-fi drums which give both the song and game a strong flow and which fit perfectly with the arcade styled combat. The music gets me rearing for battle but at the same time reminds me that the game, however fun, has an edge of seriousness to it.

Addictive game-play enhanced by an addictive soundtrack.

It is clear that Darren Korb is a highly skilled guitarist, not to mention sound designer. Just listen to A Proper Story and you will see what I mean. His fervor really rubs off on the fight scenes perfectly, getting the player pumped for another encounter with a horde of slime balls. Although the soundtrack is dominated by Korb's guitar work (not a bad thing at all as you will see) his compositions include a sitar (The Sole Regret and Terminal March), an array of synthetic and sampled sounds/drums (Mine, Windbag, Mine) and violin (Percy's Escape) - all to great effect, giving the game attitude and an engrossing atmosphere throughout.

When faced with a story as emotionally poignant as Bastion's it is important for a soundtrack to shift gear from arcade battle scene to a more gentle soundscape which, in the case of this storyline, evokes feelings of pity, calm, sorrow and even loneliness. Spoiling this game would be a criminal offense so I will not say more about the storyline and the ending - but suffice it to say, with songs like Setting Sail, Coming Home, which was nominated for the Best Song in a Game award, and Build That Wall, which ended up taking that award, Bastion's heart wrenching music will leave you feeling as hollow as the vocals themselves. I cannot help but mention Mother I'm Here which is forever imprinted in my brain as accompanying, and in a sense creating, one of the greatest scenes in a video game - simply harrowing.

The world of Bastion is as rich and inviting as the music immersing you in it.

With all these compliments and a complete lack of negative critiques one would think I'm not much of a reviewer; the truth is that, although I tried, I couldn't think of a single bad aspect of this soundtrack. It is one which, as I grow old and begin to forget the glory of my youthful gaming, will  remain to haunt my memory and evoke that great friend of any soundtrack fan - nostalgia.

With all that I have described in this review it should not be too surprising that the soundtrack took home the prestigious Best Origional Score at the VGAs - and I must say, it really earned it. Well done Darren Korb!

The Bastion 22-track soundtrack can be bought in lossless audio (flac) from their bandcamp website for a measly 10 dollars - a steal considering all the fame and acclaim. I'm sure any support would help show the gaming industry that good soundtracks can be lucrative too - and maybe, just maybe, we can get some more like this one.

Personal rating: 7.8/10