Supergiant Games may be synonymous with Hades today, but the studio’s roots go back to a smaller, sharply crafted action RPG that many players still consider a classic. Bastion, Supergiant’s first game from 2011, is currently heavily discounted on Steam, dropping from $14.99 to $2.24 with an 85% price cut. The deal runs until April 28, making it one of the cheapest ways to experience the game to date.
What makes Bastion stand out isn’t just its stylish presentation or satisfying combat—it’s the narrator. From the moment you start, a gravelly, storybook-like voice tracks your decisions and reacts to what you do in real time, commenting on everything from your fights to the way you explore. It’s a defining feature that gives the adventure a personal, reactive feel and helps the story unfold naturally as you play.
Bastion is set after a strange, world-shattering event known as the Calamity. You play as the Kid, moving through a broken, surreal landscape of floating ruins and fragmented environments, slowly piecing together what happened. The narration carries most of the storytelling, turning even quiet moments into something meaningful as the game reveals its mysteries step by step.
Despite its approachable look, Bastion plays faster and more dynamically than many expect. Combat revolves around a varied selection of weapons, and you can upgrade and adjust your loadout to fit different playstyles. Button-mashing won’t carry you far for long; the game pushes you to fight smart, rewarding good timing, movement, and well-judged dodges. Alongside the action, Bastion delivers a strong atmosphere—bright, colorful scenery layered with a subtle melancholy that foreshadows the mood and style Supergiant would later refine in Hades.
Player reception has remained extremely strong over the years. On Steam, Bastion holds an impressive 95% positive user rating across more than 37,000 reviews, highlighting its lasting appeal. Some critics have noted that its RPG systems are relatively light and that it may not have deep long-term hooks compared to more complex RPGs. Even with a New Game Plus mode available, it’s not necessarily designed to keep reinventing itself on repeat runs. Still, at under $2.50, it’s easy to see why many consider it a must-buy—especially for fans of action RPGs, indie games with strong storytelling, or anyone curious about where Supergiant’s signature approach began.
If you’re planning to play on a handheld, Bastion is also listed on Steam as Playable for Steam Deck, making it a solid pick for portable gaming as well.
