Over the past month, Blizzard posted a bunch of gameplay videos showcasing each character from their upcoming shooter, Overwatch. If my calculations are correct, we’re reaching the end of these spotlights.
The latest one makes up the second last of the lot (13 out of 14), which has me hoping that perhaps the game is that little bit closer to kicking off an open beta. Knowing Blizzard though, I think we’ll have to wait many more months I’m afraid.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at their latest video which focuses on Bastion – a robot intent on keeping the peace… with a gatling gun.
Bio
Real Name: SST Laboratories Siege Automaton E54, “Bastion”
Age: 30
Occupation: Battle Automaton
Base of Operations: Unknown
Affiliation: None
Once a frontline combatant in the devastating Omnic Crisis, this curious Bastion unit now explores the world, fascinated by nature but wary of a fearful humanity.
Though “Bastion” appears to be gentle—even harmless, at times—its core combat programming takes over when the unit senses danger, utilizing its entire arsenal to eliminate anything it perceives as a threat. This has led to instances of conflict with the few humans it has encountered, and has driven it to avoid populated areas in favour of the wild, uncharted regions of the world.
Abilities
Configuration: Recon
In Recon mode, Bastion is fully mobile, outfitted with a submachine gun that fires steady bursts of bullets at medium range.
Configuration: Sentry
In Sentry mode, Bastion is a stationary powerhouse protected by a forward-facing shield and equipped with a gatling gun capable of unleashing a hail of bullets. The gun’s aim can be “walked” across multiple targets, dealing devastating damage at short to medium range.
Reconfigure
Bastion transforms between its two primary combat modes to adapt to battlefield conditions.
Self-repair
Bastion restores its health; it cannot move or fire weapons while the repair process is in effect.
Configuration: Tank
In Tank mode, Bastion extends wheeled treads and a powerful long-range cannon. The cannon’s explosive shells demolish targets in a wide blast radius, but Bastion can only remain in this mode for a limited time.
Gameplay
Blizzard claims that Bastion is best suited to defence. Well, I suppose the best defence is a good offense (that’s how that saying goes, right?) because hot damn is he good at attacking based on this latest video. See for yourself!
Bastion’s combat programming takes control in this unedited match from an early version of Overwatch, captured in 60fps on PC. Here, Bastion plays on the attacking team in King’s Row, a Point Capture/Payload hybrid map situated in the heart of England
That sentry configuration is ridiculous! Each time it gets set up, it looks like it’s with a shield that has 1000hp. Quick characters who can flank seem to be the obvious counter though, as Bastion has to configure back to Recon mode (which takes a few very precious seconds) before it can respond to the threat.
His ultimate ability doesn’t interest me in the slightest. If I want to partake in rocket launcher shenanigans, I’ll play as Pharah thank you very much. I’m also not sold on the self-repair. I understand its use, I just think it’s a bit boring.
Still, Bastion looks like one of the better characters in the Overwatch roster. What do you think? Do the robot’s abilities interest you at all, or are they a snorefest?
I
Last Updated: June 25, 2015
Lord Chaos
June 26, 2015 at 06:06
Good to see they cater for the laze people as well.
Admiral Chief's Adventure
June 26, 2015 at 07:58
*Lazy
Lord Chaos
June 26, 2015 at 08:00
Was the best way to prove my point. 😛
Hammersteyn
June 26, 2015 at 07:57
Almost every video they start by shooting random stuff as if to demonstrate the physics XD
I like Bastion the most so far, he can take a spot in a corridor and lay down effective cover fire and fall back to heal himself.
Admiral Chief's Adventure
June 26, 2015 at 08:01
Gives new meaning for TANK
Admiral Chief's Adventure
June 26, 2015 at 08:06
I’ve not heard about Zarya
SmurFyZA
June 26, 2015 at 08:15
Can we just get a release date already?!?! I am dying to play this game
Admiral Chief's Adventure
June 26, 2015 at 08:15
You and me both dude!