Eastward

Eastward is a retro pixel-art adventure RPG set in a post-apocalyptic future. A mysterious catastrophe known as the Black Tide has destroyed civilization, forcing survivors to live underground and gradually forgetting life on the surface. Players control both miner John and a mysterious young woman named San, who, after being exiled, embark on an adventure to the surface aboard a train called Charon, gradually uncovering San's special abilities and the truth behind the Black Tide. The game blends pixel art with a 90s Japanese anime style, combined with hand-drawn frame-by-frame animation, resulting in vivid and detailed visuals that provide players with a strong sense of immersion.

Features:

Discover the wonderfully weird world of Eastward. Jump aboard the cross-country railway which spans this decaying continent, stopping off to explore its bustling towns, curious campsites and shady forests.

Fend off peculiar monsters and ferocious bosses with your weapon of choice – be it a gun, flamethrower or your trusty ol’ frying pan.

Switch between controlling John and Sam to solve environmental puzzles and fight your way through formidable dungeons, separating to unlock hidden paths or sticking together as you traverse a perilous landscape.

Get to know a quirky cast of characters with oodles of personality, as you immerse yourself in this heartwarming story-driven adventure, packed with fun and wacky humour.

Create deliciously authentic Eastwardian cuisine using (mostly) fresh, organic ingredients from toxic forests, infested mines and abandoned malls. These delicacies will grant health bonuses, power boosts and secret boons.

Pros and Cons:

Pros

Well-crafted pixel art style brings a lot of detail to the game world

Around 30 hours of gameplay

Full soundtrack to accompany the gameplay

Cons

While very detailed, the story has received a lot of criticism for being slow and lacking in explanation

Quests involve a lot of walking back and forth through previously visited areas

Can be somewhat dialogue-heavy in places, slowing the game down

Player Reviews:

An absolutely beautiful post-apocalyptic action-adventure, but one that perhaps runs the risk of being a little too much about the surface-level appearance rather than a deeper experience.

Our protagonists are John and Sam. John is a miner in a village that lies underground, far away from the reach of MIASMA, a catastrophic event that destroyed the surface world. One day he finds Sam in a strange suspended animation pod, frees her, and takes her under his wing; however, when the pair draw the ire of the local mayor they are exiled to die on the surface. Turns out, the surface isn't as destroyed as they thought and the pair begin a journey eastward, travelling through the world ahead of the returning threat of MIASMA. Part of the draw of Eastward is how story-heavy it is; a lot of the playtime is spent amidst extensive character dialogue, and there are plot threads upon threads that weave over each other. However, by the end it's clear that the story was perhaps too complex for the writers to handle; the threads get messy and the chance of satisfying resolutions get slimmer and slimmer.

When you're not yapping with people John and Sam engage in some classic top-down Zelda-style adventuring. Their journey takes them to far-off towns and places replete with mutated monsters for John to smack around with his trusty frying pan. It's relatively simple stuff, and even the puzzles are pretty basic, but it still comes together in a neat, fun way.

Juego con un pixel art precioso y una jugabilidad muy divertida. Recuerda a los Zelda en 2d con el combate y los puzzles. La historia no está mal y el world building es increíble. Aprovechan las mecánicas para hacer minijuegos y te incluye una especie de dragón quest dentro del propio juego.

It's funny, I had this game hyped up to me by 2 people who never even finished it right as it came out. Got it knowing nothing going in and left with one of the most profound emotional experiences I've ever had playing a game. It's heart wrenching while also fun. Visually and tonally it's a total love letter to Mother 3. It's got an in-game mini game that could be an award-winning game on its own. Please, I urge you to play this if you haven't. Only if you're ready to cry.

FAQs：

WHAT IS EASTWARD?

Eastward is a beautifully detailed and charming pixel art adventure RPG.

WHO MADE IT?

Eastward was developed by Pixpil, a small indie developer based in Shanghai, China.

WHAT’S THIS GAME ABOUT?

In the near-future, society is starting to collapse, and the human population is at an all-time low. A deadly toxic presence has spread across the land, destroying and devouring everything in its path. But for a hardworking miner and a mysterious young girl, the hope of a thriving outside world beckons…

Follow the story of John and Sam, Eastward’s unlikely duo, on an exciting adventure to the land above! Discover beautiful and bizarre settlements, fight off peculiar enemies with John’s trusty frying pan or Sam’s kinetic blast, and make new friends as you travel across the world by rail.

Conclusion:

Eastward is a must-play for fans of adventure games. Its rich storytelling, engaging gameplay, and beautifully crafted world make it stand out in the indie game scene. The game delivers something for everyone, whether you’re in it for the action, the puzzles, or the heartwarming narrative. Download it today and embark on an unforgettable journey through a world as dangerous as it is charming.