Zero Punctuation Season 8 Episode 30 Like Bastion But

Zero Punctuation is an online video game review series created by Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw. In season 8 episode 30, titled "Like Bastion But," Yahtzee reviews several games that have been compared to the popular indie game Bastion.

The episode begins with Yahtzee discussing the importance of innovation in video games. He argues that while it's okay for games to be inspired by others, they need to bring something new to the table in order to be worthwhile. He then transitions into the first game he'll be discussing: Transistor.

Transistor is a game made by the same developers as Bastion, and Yahtzee admits that there are definitely similarities between the two games. However, he argues that Transistor manages to differentiate itself enough to stand on its own. Yahtzee praises the game's combat system, which involves real-time planning and execution of attacks. He also likes the game's art style, describing it as "Gothic cyberpunk."

Next, Yahtzee moves on to Hyper Light Drifter, another game that's been compared to Bastion. He's quick to point out that while the two games share a top-down perspective, that's where the similarities end. Hyper Light Drifter is a brutally difficult game that he describes as "Dark Souls with a Link to the Past skin." Yahtzee praises the game's environmental storytelling and says that the music is some of the best he's ever heard in a game. However, he also notes that the game's difficulty may be a turn-off for some players.

The final game Yahtzee reviews in this episode is Pyre, another game from the developers of Bastion and Transistor. This game is quite different from its predecessors, as it's a sports game set in a fantasy world. Yahtzee praises the game's story, which involves a group of outcasts trying to earn their freedom by competing in a series of mystical sports matches. He also likes the game's atmosphere, which features a lot of beautiful art and music. However, he does criticize the game's sports mechanics, arguing that they feel a bit too simple and repetitive.

Overall, Yahtzee seems pleased with all three of these Bastion-inspired games. He argues that each of them manages to bring something new to the table, whether it's Transistor's real-time planning combat, Hyper Light Drifter's environmental storytelling, or Pyre's fantasy sports matches. However, he also warns that these games may not be for everyone, as they each have their own unique quirks and challenges.

In conclusion, if you're a fan of Bastion and you're looking for more games like it, Yahtzee's recommendations in this episode are definitely worth checking out. Each of these games manages to offer something different while still capturing the same sense of wonder and discovery that made Bastion so beloved. Whether you're in the mood for real-time strategy, brutal difficulty, or mystical sports, there's something here for you.