Eastward

 PC
Eastward Image
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 105 Ratings

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  • Summary: 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.

    Those who could escape the miasma flocked to underground villages to start a new life.    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.

    Those who could escape the miasma flocked to underground villages to start a new life. But for a hardworking miner and a mysterious young girl, the hope of a thriving outside world beckons

    Escape the tyrannical clutches of Sandfill's subterranean society and join Eastward's unlikely duo on an exciting adventure to the land above!
    Discover beautiful yet bizarre settlements and make new friends as you travel across the world by rail.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Player 2
    Sep 14, 2021
    100
    The storytelling, art and music masterfully connect to create a real sense of the world that the Eastward characters inhabit.
  2. Everyeye.it
    Sep 14, 2021
    90
    Eastward is not just the dazzling debut title of a very small development studio in Shanghai, just as it is not just a video game that closely resembles the best 2D Zelda in history. Don't call it Zelda-like: not because it's not a formally correct definition but because Pixpil's creature wants to be something more than the classic declaration of love to a title from the past. Eastward is one of the brightest examples of what are the true qualities of independent development: a real pearl that deserves to be discovered, perfectly capable of carving out its space in the niche of instant videogame cult. It is certainly one of the most surprising and impactful experiences of recent years, one of those titles capable of pointing the way to those who will come later.
  3. PLAY! Zine
    Oct 6, 2021
    90
    Eastward is an audio-visual masterpiece and a true indie gem in the action adventure genre, and even though it possesses relatively simple gameplay and puzzles, it oozes with great moments, beautiful world and heartwarming story with some of the most distinct and original characters in a while.
  4. Game Informer
    Sep 14, 2021
    85
    While the combat isn’t anything special and the puzzles wear out their welcome, Eastward’s characters, setting, and sounds craft an unforgettable experience. If you’re looking for something quirky, captivating, and somewhat surreal, you’ve found it.
  5. IGN
    Sep 17, 2021
    80
    Eastward is a post-apocalyptic picaresque as charming as it is pretty, with simple action combat and puzzles that are accessible to everyone.
  6. Twinfinite
    Sep 14, 2021
    80
    Before I knew it, my initial skepticism and complaints had begun to evaporate. Even as a silent protagonist, John manages to exude so much personality from his non-committal shrugs and sighs, and he and Sam play off each other so well it’s hard not to feel endeared to them. Everything about Eastward just feels immediately magical and nostalgic, and while my gripes with the combat and stretched out dungeon designs never really went away entirely, Sam’s journey is still one I’m glad I went on in the end.
  7. Gamer.no
    Oct 3, 2021
    50
    Eastward is charming and offers a surprisingly dark story, but is bogged down by stale combat mechanics and too much boring and non-sensical dialogue.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 43
  3. Negative: 16 out of 43
  1. lolhhh
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. gorgeous art style and heartwarming story also good cooking mechanics character are all memorable and there is a 8 bit game within the game the game also has decent length definitely a favorite game for me… Expand
  2. koala_kid
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    Wow what a charming game!!! It reminds me on Secret of Evermore, Final Fantasy VI and old Zelda games. The music is amazing as well as theWow what a charming game!!! It reminds me on Secret of Evermore, Final Fantasy VI and old Zelda games. The music is amazing as well as the likeable characters and sweet world design. The pixel art makes me smile and gives me some unforgettable nostalgic feelings - I absolutely adore this game!!… Expand
  4. raucher
    Sep 18, 2021
    10
    Amazing game, brought it without knowing anything about it, just saw it on pre-sale on Steam and bought. Best decision i've made in months,Amazing game, brought it without knowing anything about it, just saw it on pre-sale on Steam and bought. Best decision i've made in months, the game is so nostalgic and well made that i played 15h nonstop, a mix of zelda, earthbound, fallout and stardew valley.… Expand
  5. triadne
    Mar 15, 2023
    7
    Initial impressions, after prologue and fair way into chapter 1. The game has unmistakeable charm and has some engaging gameplay elements thatInitial impressions, after prologue and fair way into chapter 1. The game has unmistakeable charm and has some engaging gameplay elements that are fundamentally robust. So far though, there are several issues that mar the experience. There are enemies that can drop on your head and there seems to be literally zero sign that it's going to happen. I don't find this to be a satisfying 'challenge'. The text sometimes has a tendency to auto advance with very little apparent reason, posing major problems for slower readers. The menu has a very strange arrangement, which can make it confusing to find the item you want to inspect. why aren't the cooking ingredients in the cooking tab for example? why isn't the backpack just on the same tab as quest items? why is the quest screen and the map screen, inbetween the quest items and the backpack? bizarre and nonsensical.
    The pacing also seems really slow so far. despite that, the pace at which I'm collecting quest items seems to suggest the game is really short.
    Other issues... The stuttering. I'm playing on an R7 with a rtx 2080 and 32gb ram. My system should not be struggling with this game.
    when I see electrical cables sparking, I tend to avoid them, yet the game wants you to interact with then, connecting and disconnecting live wires. to say this is irresponsible is an understatement. kids will be playing this.    … Expand
  6. DelTorro
    Dec 11, 2022
    5
    Beautiful pixel art and decent music. The combat is fine, it has an old school appeal to me. But, the story and cutscenes are maddenly boringBeautiful pixel art and decent music. The combat is fine, it has an old school appeal to me. But, the story and cutscenes are maddenly boring and long.… Expand
  7. hamik17594
    Nov 9, 2021
    2
    Every time Eastward has the opportunity to do something interesting, it will instead do something boring and predictable - and it will do itEvery time Eastward has the opportunity to do something interesting, it will instead do something boring and predictable - and it will do it at half the slowest speed you could possibly imagine tolerating.… Expand
  8. krutoj
    Dec 12, 2022
    0
    This game is really beautiful and in the beginning it develops an interesting kind of charme. But the gameplay completely destroys it.This game is really beautiful and in the beginning it develops an interesting kind of charme. But the gameplay completely destroys it. Especially when the time based trial and error stuff in chapter 2 starts. Unfortunately this game is just style over substance.… Expand

See all 43 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best PC Game of 2021
54
#54 Most Discussed PC Game of 2021

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