Bastion

Players attack seemingly unintelligent non-humans (strange fantasy creatures that float, fly, and lumber about) with swords, hammers, bows, and other weapons. These beasts simply disappear when defeated, sometimes with a smoke effect. The main hero can fall in battle or tumble off ledges. Though frequent, the action is without blood or gore. The player’s perspective is raised and distant, which mitigates the intensity of combat.

The player’s character drinks "spirits" from a distillery to incur passive ability upgrades. While these words call to mind alcohol, it’s not clear whether the magical fluids he imbibes are indeed alcoholic beverages. There is also one scene in which he inhales smoke from a pipe.

Parents need to know that Bastion is a downloadable action game for the Xbox 360’s Xbox Live Arcade that includes frequent but fairly mild combat. Players face down imaginative fantasy creatures with swords and bows as they work to explore and restore the hero’s destroyed world. While combat plays a large role, it never feels glorified and is not accompanied by any blood or gore. What’s more, the action often has an almost puzzle-like feel, with players forced to recognize patterns, make their way through mazes of platforms that can disappear under their feet, and figure out how to navigate through tricky sections of dungeon. Parents should note, though, that the game’s young hero occasionally imbibes "spirits" -- which may or may not be alcoholic in nature -- that grant him passive upgrades.