
Release Date: July 13, 2022
The Tale of Bistun is an isometric action game set in a world straight out of Persian myths. As a sculptor Fahrad we try to learn about our own past and face the creatures warped by the plague.
The Tale of Bistun is an action adventure game with an isometric view inspired by a Persian poem about a tragic romance from the early Middle Ages. It was developed by Black Cube Games, a Dutch studio supported by IMGN.PRO, a Polish publisher.
The plot of The Tale of Bistun is loosely based on the poem Khosrov and Shirin by Nizami Ganjawi - a Persian poet living at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries. It tells a fictional version of the story of the tragic love between the Persian king Khosrov II Parviz and his Christian wife Shirin.
The main character of the game wakes up with amnesia near the title mountain Bistun. After some time he learns his name (Fahrad) and profession (a sculptor), but it's not enough for him to regain all his memories. Before he achieves this goal, he has a long journey through a world inspired by Persian myths and tainted by mysterious corruption, and an ethereal land of lost memories.
The developers of The Tale of Bistun have decided to use a technique that is not often used. In the game, the first fiddle is played by the book's narrator, who tells not only the story, but also describes the character's thoughts. Thanks to him we get to know the story of sacrifice and the hero forced to rediscover himself.
Combat plays first fiddle in The Tale of Bistun. The action is shown from an isometric view with a static camera, and the gameplay is all about exploring linear locations and fighting off hordes of enemies straight from the Persian myths.
The combat system is quite simple. We have three weapons inspired by sculptors' tools: fast pickaxes, balanced axes and powerful hammers. Each of them also gives access to special abilities, for example, allowing to summon the spirit of a goddess who attacks nearby enemies. The hero can also roll and run a short distance, making it easier to dodge attacks. This is important because there is no automatic health regeneration in the game - wounds are healed only after the battle is over.
During the exploration we encounter not only the next hostile creatures. From time to time we also find stone tablets and monuments symbolizing events from the hero's life. Thanks to them we discover Fahrad's past and learn more about the plot background.
The Tale of Bistun was developed on Unity engine, used in many indie games. 3D graphics designed by the developer does not impress with details, but interesting use of colors and unusual style give the game an original style.
Platforms:
PC Windows July 13, 2022
PlayStation 4 January 21, 2024
Xbox One July 13, 2022
Nintendo Switch January 21, 2024
PlayStation 5 January 21, 2024
Xbox Series X/S July 13, 2022
Developer: Black Cube Games
Publisher: IMGN.PRO
Age restrictions: 12+
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System Requirements for The Tale of Bistun Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-4460 / AMD Athlon X4, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 950 / Radeon R7 370 or better, 6 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.
Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4 GHz / AMD FX-8350 4.7 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 1050 / 8 GB Radeon RX 580 or better, 6 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.
Game Ratings for The Tale of Bistun Video Game.
TechRaptor: 4 / 10 by Samiee Tee
While starting strong, The Tale of Bistun loses interest over time, leaving the story, gameplay, and characters to try and make something out of stretched-thin mechanics.
Duuro Magazine: by Krist Duro
The Tale of Bistun is a modest but earnest attempt to bring Persian mythology to life through interactive storytelling. Its greatest strength lies in its narrative presentation, particularly its excellent narrator who guides players through this tale of love and loss. While the gameplay mechanics are basic and the combat system lacks depth, the game's brief runtime prevents these limitations from becoming too problematic.
Impulsegamer: 3.8 / 5 by Ali Arkani
The Tale of Bistun is not perfect, but it is original. The romantic story with masterfully incorporated symbolism and plot twists along with the exotic art style makes the game a sensational experience; it is short and does not overstay its welcome as well.
Average score from votes.