Eastshade

Eastshade is an original masterpiece that needs to be experienced by everyone at least once in their lifetime.

I love Eastshade. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. The world was beautiful and expansive, the storytelling was not only strong but often masterful, and the whole package left me with that post-game hangover that has you putting down every game after it. It’s still early 2019, but I have no doubt that Eastshade will remain one of my favorite games of the year and one of my very favorite exploration games of all time. If it were up to me, I’d never take that final ship back out of Lyndow.

By giving you a paintbrush (and a kettle) instead of a sword, Eastshade is a rare first-person open world game that's not about killing but rather about doing good deeds, helping people see the error of their ways, and bringing communities together all through the power of art. It's a breath of fresh Eastshadian air and a genuine, unironic feel-good game. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to put the kettle on.

I am so excited by Eastshade. It was almost a privilege to play it. The whole experience is enriching in a way that too many games overlook, it is subtle and witty, and rewards intelligent choices and genuine immersion. Its design is incredible, both in physical terms and in terms of narrative and music. It is a secret space for the calm and quiet in us to reign supreme, and I am thrilled by the prospect of the games in years to come that will no doubt pay tribute to Eastshade.

Entrancing, magical, and beautiful, Eastshade is much more than a pretty picture.

Eastshade is a wonderful surprise. A videogame in which violence is not contemplated and which gives free rein to the exploration of the world, as well as the discovery of the characters that populate it. The artistic direction is also fantastic, lending itself perfectly to the protagonist's brushes. Despite some small technical issues, Eastshade is an incredibly deep and relaxing experience.

Eastshade is a little gem: a game without violence built around painting and the curiosity to discover beauty.

RPGs so rarely explore gameplay approaches that don’t feature two-handed greatswords, grinding for better armor, and violence-filled encounters. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, of course, but happily there are games like Eastshade that provide satisfying and intriguing hours of exploration and story where the conclusion is not a battlefield littered with the dead. At the same time, Eastshade is not a one-note, feel-good game and there is emotional range in its story and characters. Some visual glitches and minor bugs aside, Eastshade is a worthy follow-up to the brief, proof-of-concept Leaving Lyndow.

Eastshade is an original game. You could almost say that it's unique.

Eastshade may have some serious technical problems, but it's a wonderful game that deserves a lot of attention.

Quotation forthcoming.

Eastshade Studio's latest release is a great, relaxing experience overall, although some under-developed features and a few dated gameplay mechanics prevent the game from reaching its full potential.

A charming traveling artist adventure which uses image capture in interesting ways.

Annoying glitches, barebones backstory and simplistic painting mechanics do no credit to Eastshade, but still, this is a rare truly charming "walking simulator" as well as a perfect opportunity to visit a faraway land if your vacation is months away.

Eastshade is a very special adventure. Its narrative, its world and its story are fantastic, although gameplay-wise feels lacking in some areas.

Eastshade combines successfully RPG and walking simulator mechanics and invites the player to discover the wonderful world and characters created by Eastshade Studios.

A relaxing and beautiful experience, marred only by the occasional technical issue.

Eastshade delivers an original first person walker experience with its anthropomorphic world where all you have to do is paint. Too bad its lacky graphics and chaotic frame rate ruin the mood more than once, because its wonderful soundtrack leaves the player with a strange bliss sensation. The benefit of a walk in the forest, no doubt.

Eastshade may not be the game it could be, but it paints a picture many others could learn from. [Issue#330, p.122]