Review of The Tale of Bistun on PlayStation 5

Black Cube Games and IMGN.PRO have crafted an engaging action-adventure titled The Tale of Bistun, drawing inspiration from a 12th-century poem. Allow me to guide you through our thoughts on The Tale of Bistun!

Rooted in the rich tapestry of “Khosrow and Shirin,” penned by the legendary Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, the game was initially unleashed on Steam in 2022. Fast forward, and it’s now making its debut on Sony’s current-gen console. Stepping into the shoes of an amnesiac stone carver, you’ll embark on a journey up the treacherous slopes of Mount Bistun. But beware, this is no leisurely stroll; prepare to face off against countless monsters hell-bent on your demise. Thankfully, you’re not without defenses. Harness magical powers and unleash robust melee attacks to sway the battle in your favor. Accompanying you on this odyssey is a narrator, breathing life into the evolving tale and its vivid cast.

This isometric journey challenges you to reclaim your identity while traversing various levels. Admittedly, it’s a bit of a linear adventure, but that’s far from detracting. The initial stages double as a tutorial, smoothly easing you into the mechanics. By the time adversaries rear their ugly heads, you’ll be primed for offensive maneuvers, evasive rolls, and spectacular finishers! A word of caution: even the weakest foes become formidable when they gang up.

You’ll navigate your character using the left stick, with X for sprinting, Square for attacks, and Circle for rolling. The rolling skill is indispensable, offering a brief invincibility window from enemy assaults. Interactions are mapped to Triangle, while your potent active ability finds its place on R1, activated post cooldown and differing with your weapon of choice.

As you explore each region, you’ll confront the creeping blight, tasking you with liberating trees ensnared by its grip. These moments might introduce you to wise trees, each offering insight into your quest and identity. Will your regained memories answer the looming questions as you delve deeper? The Tale of Bistun tantalizes with mysteries, including the ubiquitous pots—never ignore them, for treasures can surprise you!

The game shines brightly with a full trophy list, complete with a coveted Platinum for dedicated collectors. Courtesy of its Cross-Buy status, PS5 owners can enjoy both PS4 and PS5 versions under one purchase. The trophy haul includes 22 Bronze, 13 Silver, and 3 Gold trophies. Your path to Platinum will require conquering each level and tasks like your inaugural enemy vanquish, stone-like object destruction with hatchets, inscribing your first carving, discovering a special attack, statue creation, weapon upgrades, collecting all stone tablet readings, and scattering 75 birds, among others.

Overall, The Tale of Bistun stands as an enchanting action-adventure, inspired by a timeless 12th-century romance. You’ll navigate the turbulent journey of an amnesiac stone carver scaling Mount Bistun, battling relentless monsters. Fortunately, your magical skills and commanding melee prowess ensure you’re never defenseless. The narrative is beautifully intertwined with a narrator’s essence, elevating its storytelling. Adding value, a $17.99 purchase gives access to both PS4 and PS5 versions, thanks to its Cross-Buy feature.

This review of The Tale of Bistun is based on a PlayStation 5 edition supplied by IMGN.PRO.