One of the best trends in gaming (a good one, as opposed to the evil of microtransactions) is the ability of small studios to put out titles that blow away the big guys.

Which is to say: Supergiant Games & Team Meat (Super Meat Boy was one of my picks for game of the year in 2010) have impressed me and given me more fun than just about any AAA publisher.

Case in point: action RPG Bastion.

Go buy it. No, no, I’ll wait. Yeah, just go on Xbox Live Arcade and download it. It’s 1200 MS points. Just do it. OK, downloading? Good. I’ll keep talking while you play.

Bastion tells the story of The Kid. The Calamity has torn his world asunder. And you need to put the place back together by finding Cores, which hold the memory of your land. You learn this, and just about everything else, by listening to the grizzled Stranger — a narrator who reacts to both your awesome moves and stupid mistakes (Ie; If you roll your dumb self off a cliff, he’ll call you on it — it’s really funny).

Bastion is a brilliant, heartfelt, grand adventure full of vibrant colors and devilish enemies. But neatest perhaps is the way the world literally forms around you as you traverse it.

It gives the impression that you, The Kid, are making it all real.

The combat is also highly satisfying, especially since the controls are quick and responsive. You’ll spend a lot of time dodging and rolling and feeling like a superior badass as you dispatch monster after monster.

The weapons and spells and upgrades for your death-dealing tools are also pleasantly varied (rapid-fire crossbows, machetes, your hammer, and various guns) and have the added bonus of actually feeling effective.

Bastion, if nothing else, is a beautiful and engaging game. But it’s also clever and witty; smart and interesting. It’s art.

Final Grade: A+

Bastion is rated E10+ and is available on XBLA for 1200 points