Eastward

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Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 51

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Eastward is an enjoyable adventure with a memorable cast of characters and a central mystery that remains engaging throughout. This is an indie gem that deserves to be discovered.

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 51

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 51

Eastward is an enjoyable adventure with a memorable cast of characters and a central mystery that remains engaging throughout. This is an indie gem that deserves to be discovered.

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Critic Reviews for Eastward

Critic Reviews

Score Distribution

51

Reviews

Average Score

100

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Recommended

Malindy Hetfeld (Eurogamer)

A strong love for storytelling and the feel of games like Earthbound makes Eastward shine even where the gameplay flags.

September 14, 2021 |

Full Review

Eastward crafts a cozy journey through fascinating and bizarre realms, featuring a memorable cast. While lackluster combat and a few repetitive puzzle styles tarnish the experience, it’s still a ride well worth taking.

September 14, 2021 |

Full Review

8.5/10

Daniel Tack (Game Informer)

Recommended

Nicole Carpenter (polygon)

Like the rest of Eastward, it’s delightful. Details like Earth Born are what make Eastward special for me. Not only is the gameplay both challenging and clever (and sometimes, punishing), but the worlds are built with depth. In both its dungeons and places of reprieve, Eastward is continually worth exploring.

September 14, 2021 |

Full Review

Malindy Hetfeld (Eurogamer)

Recommended - (Read Review)

A strong love for storytelling and the feel of games like Earthbound makes Eastward shine even where the gameplay flags.

Daniel Tack (Game Informer)

8.5/10 - (Read Review)

Nicole Carpenter (polygon)

Recommended - (Read Review)

**Read all 51 critic reviews on the desktop version of VSG.

Read the Reviews (51 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
33bits	Jesús Díaz-Suelto Berrueco	90 / 100	09-28-2021	Eastward is generally a no-fault title. It is beautiful, it is very careful, and it oozes love and know-how everywhere. Only the language barrier should prevent you from playing it, because it is plain and simple fantastic.	Read review
Atomix	Alberto Desfassiaux	88 / 100	01-06-2022	Eastward is just an amazing adventure full of surprise and great characters. It’s pixel art and music are one of the best things in gaming during 2021.	Read review
Bazimag	Seyed Ali Rooholamini	9.8 / 10	09-23-2021	Eastward takes you on a journey that gives you a fantastic story, great pixel art visuals, magnificent music and a classic RPG gameplay that although it takes hours upon hours to reach the its finish line, you will be having so much fun that you’ll never feel tired and want to keep going forever.	Read review
But Why Tho?	Jason Flatt	6 / 10	09-20-2021	Eastward is a great game. It’s beautiful, it’s a story well-told, and it’s very fun to play. But for me, the entire experience was tainted by what I quickly and inescapably perceived as racist and sexually exploitative depictions, which is just such a monumental shame of a thing to tarnish an otherwise incredible experience. I mean, this game has an entire virtual RPG video game built into it that you can play. But I simply can’t rate this experience highly with how tarnished my view of it all is. I love playing it, I recommend playing it, but I also insist you judge for yourself these character depictions and whether they meet the standards we should expect from games.	Read review
Checkpoint Gaming	Vivienne Wright	9 / 10	10-29-2021	I highly encourage lovers of pixel JRPGs to try this game out for yourselves. John and Sam will cook you up a satisfying adventure you will want to devour whole!	Read review
COGconnected	Jaz Sagoo	84 / 100	09-16-2021	Eastward is a game about a journey and the characters you meet along the way. Although the combat and puzzles are quite typical, the setting, sound and art style are remarkable, making this an essential trek through an incredible world.	Read review
Cubed3	Eric Ace	6 / 10	01-06-2022	Eastward absolutely radiates heart, which is why it is tough to be hard on it. So many little things, from random sprite movements, to the cooking, or RPG mini-game, are charming, yet, the core element of the game	Read review
cublikefoot	Chase Ferrin	Not Recommended	01-28-2022	Eastward may have some great art and music, but the gameplay is barebones and the story is so overwritten that the game could easily be completed in a third of the time if the filler were cut away.	Read review
Cultured Vultures	Ryan Stevens	9 / 10	09-17-2021	Simultaneously a throwback and a breath of something new, Eastward is a magic trick of blending familiarity with novelty and grim apocalyptic sci-fi with wide-eyed fantasy. In the future, if there’s any justice, we’ll be referring to similarly spirited and stylish games as “Eastward-like.”	Read review
Daily Mirror	Eugene Sowah	4 / 5 stars	09-15-2021	Eastward is an amazing indie title that spans around 30 hours of gameplay, told through a captivating story. The wonderful art direction and spectacular animation are warranted enough for Eastward to grab your attention.	Read review
Destructoid	Eric Van Allen	8 / 10	10-05-2021	For as gorgeous as Eastward‘s graphics are, and as endearing as some of its characters become, and as much as I need its soundtrack on vinyl as soon as possible, it also falls short in some ways that leave its conclusion feeling a bit off. It’s one of the more promising debuts I’ve seen, and Pixpil has ensured I’ll be incredibly interested in whatever they do next. Eastward is something a fan of pixel art and good music, with a weakness for video game nostalgia, deserves to check out. It’s just also a journey that left me wanting a little more.	Read review
DualShockers	Jo Craig	9 / 10	09-14-2021	Referring to the world above as the “Forbidden Land”, with the threat of being sent to an ambiguous realm as punishment for rebellion, Eastward leans on fantasy to flavor its story, without forgetting about its core, real-world values. Its fluid, well-paced progression, and control movements thankfully allow you to explore and admire the view before continuing because Eastward is all about the journey despite its fascinating destination.	Read review
Eurogamer	Malindy Hetfeld	Recommended	09-14-2021	A strong love for storytelling and the feel of games like Earthbound makes Eastward shine even where the gameplay flags.	Read review
Everyeye.it	Andrea Sorichetti	9 / 10	09-14-2021	Eastward is not only 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 Zelda 2D 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 of 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 able to carve out its space in the niche of instant cult videogames.	Read review
FingerGuns	Toby Andersen	9 / 10	09-14-2021	A post-apocalyptic action-adventure framed as a train journey through a cute heartfelt story of discovery, loyalty, and the bonds we form with others, Eastward shines like a diamond on the Switch. It’s wholesome, it’s original, it’s quirky, and it’s full of that special ingredient that turns a little indie into a must-play. Eastward’s graphics, narrative, and characters draw you in almost effortlessly and keep a tight hold until this train has come to a complete stop.	Read review
Game Informer	Daniel Tack	8.5 / 10	09-14-2021	Eastward crafts a cozy journey through fascinating and bizarre realms, featuring a memorable cast. While lackluster combat and a few repetitive puzzle styles tarnish the experience, it’s still a ride well worth taking	Read review
Gameblog	Filipe Da Silva Barbosa	9 / 10	09-14-2021	A true Masterpiece. That’s the word that comes after having accomplished this trip in the company of John and Sam. Varied level design, fascinating story, funny and endearing characters, fantastic visual and audio… Eastward has it all. Much more than a pale copy of its illustrious models, Pixpil’s neo-retro game ticks all the right boxes to establish itself as a pure 2D action-adventure gem.	Read review
GamePro	Lukas Elstermann	82 / 100	09-28-2021	An atmospheric adventure with a beautiful world and great characters who carry the game over some long-winded passages.	Read review
Gamers Heroes	Johnny Hurricane	8.5 / 10	09-24-2021	Eastward will be on many shortlists for indie GOTY, and possibly on some main lists as well. If you like what you see, don’t hesitate to pick this one up.	Read review
Gamersky	心灵奇兵	8.5 / 10	09-16-2021	Excellent pixel wind screen, profound plot and world view shaping, as well as puzzle solving and combat complement each other.	Read review
GameSpace	Ed Orr	9 / 10	09-16-2021	A wonderful homage to classic RPG gaming that takes classic concepts and polishes them up with a level of care that is rare to find.	Read review
GamesRadar+	Sam Loveridge	4 / 5 stars	09-14-2021	Eastward might fumble the ending, but that doesn’t stop it from delivering a fantastic journey.	Read review
GBAtemp	Prans Dunn	8.5 / 10	09-14-2021	Eastward is an incredibly charming indie gem that’s well worth sinking hours into exploring its detailed post-apocalyptic world and unfolding its intriguing and heartwarming plot.	Read review
God is a Geek	Mick Fraser	8 / 10	09-14-2021	Eastward is an enjoyable and arresting adventure, with memorable characters, likeable humour and a central mystery that keeps you engaged throughout.	Read review
Hey Poor Player	Heather Johnson Yu	4.5 / 5 stars	09-16-2021	Eastward pays homage to all things loved about SNES-era gaming, looking and feeling like the games of our childhood locked deep within our hearts. At times, I wondered if the experience would be enhanced playing Eastward sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of a giant CRT television, tethered way to close to the screen by a wired controller. For gamers of a certain age, Eastward feels an awful lot like home, and one I didn’t realize I missed so dearly.	Read review
IGN	Jonathan Bolding	8 / 10	09-17-2021	Eastward is a post-apocalyptic picaresque as charming as it is pretty, with simple action combat and puzzles that are accessible to everyone.	Read review
Jump Dash Roll	Rob Kershaw	6 / 10	01-04-2022	Under Eastward’s glossy and well-designed exterior, there’s a confusing and overlong story that never really satisfies.	Read review
JVL	Algernon	7.5 / 10	10-20-2021	Eastward is a good game, very good even. While taking inspiration from certain models, he manages to show originality, in particular by staging an adventure advocating the importance of links with others. However, it’s impossible not to experience some frustrations along the way.	Read review
Luis Alamilla	Luis Alamilla	8 / 10	09-24-2021	I was looking forward to Eastward since the day it was announced and now that it’s finally out, I’m excited to say the Eastward definitely lived up to my anticipation. The dungeon exploration and world design instantly got me entranced in the gameplay, while its writing did an excellent job at forming a charming yet riveting story. Unfortunately, the writing does have some pacing issues that can drag you out of the story. However, if you can get over that hurdle, I think it’s all worth it.	Read review
Metro GameCentral	GameCentral	6 / 10	09-20-2021	The 2D visuals are absolutely stunning, but the simplistic action and pretentious storytelling undermine what could have been a true neo-retro classic.	Read review
Niche Gamer	NECRO XIII	10 / 10	10-03-2021	For me, this marks a 10 out of 10; it checks off everything that should work in a game, and to an excellent standard. Eastward is made with love and care, and it definitely shows with a perfect final package. I wouldn’t change a thing.	Read review
Nintendo Enthusiast	John Friscia	7 / 10	09-14-2021	Eastward contains phenomenal art and colorful writing, yet the plot meanders breezily from moment to moment with little care for pacing and an unoriginal core storyline. Factor in average combat and puzzle-solving and a couple bugs that should be addressed, and Eastward is not quite as fun to play as it could be. That being said, a lot of people are going to fall completely in love with it anyway for the things it does right, and you might be one of them.	Read review
Nintendo Life	Mitch Vogel	8 / 10	09-17-2021	Eastward proves itself to be a memorable and enjoyable mashup of many beloved classic titles, combining each of their elements together to forge something that feels distinct and engaging. Creative gameplay sequences, a heartwarming and emotional story, and a killer art style all combine to make this one easy to recommend. That being said, we’d also offer a word of caution that this is a slow burn kind of game; if you’re not a patient player, Eastward’s sometimes lethargic pace may take a lot of enjoyment out of the experience. Wherever you may fall, Eastward is indisputably a game worth checking out, and we’d encourage you to give it a shot.	Read review
Nintendo Wire	Amelia Fruzzetti	7 / 10	09-21-2021	This is an impossible game to rate on a numbered scale. The score below ultimately reflects an arbitrary placement, one that makes the game seem merely middling when it’s really like a full-course meal that was delicious but an absolute pain to work through. Eastward is far from the YIIK class of terrible “Earthboundlike” games, and certainly deserves more attention than that mess. If you have a lot of patience, this is an easy recommendation. And if you have none, I would stay far away. I’m not sure if I’ll ever head Eastward again, but the journey will always remain fresh in my mind.	Read review
NintendoWorldReport	Alex Orona	8 / 10	09-14-2021	The fully realized world has its charm, but it hardly breaks the mold anywhere else. While it doesn’t do anything necessarily offensive, it does demand more when the rest of the game is so well done. It’s clear Pixpil have got the writing chops down, now let’s tighten up some of the stuff around it.	Read review
Noisy Pixel	Azario Lopez	9.5 / 10	09-20-2021	Eastward will fulfill any action-adventure needs that have been missing in your life. The character writing is fantastic and enhances the more emotional moments as the killer Miasma rears its ugly head. This game is an investment, but you’ll be left with a genuinely standout gaming experience full of action, exploration, memorable characters, and a fantastic final chapter. So do yourself a favor and play Eastward.	Read review
Oyungezer Online	Onur Kaya	7 / 10	10-07-2021	Overly beautiful graphics, overly long dialogues.	Read review
Paste Magazine	Austin Jones	6.5 / 10	09-30-2021	She has an immediate chemistry with Eastward’s cavalcade of supporting characters, which are numerous and varied in their importance. I wish the game paid more mind to letting her character breathe, and allowing her to engage with the plot on her own terms. Instead, I’m left feeling like Eastward is a bunch of beautiful puzzle pieces that fail to come together.	Read review
PC Gamer	Daniella Lucas	78 / 100	10-06-2021	Worth playing for the atmosphere even though its pace and plot are uneven.	Read review
Polygon	Nicole Carpenter	Recommended	09-14-2021	John and Sam’s abilities are also key in some of Eastward’s more challenging boss fights, in moments where slapping enemies with the frying pan (later, John will also acquire a gun, flamethrower, and cog weapon, alongside different bombs) is simply not enough. These boss fights are often simple in theory: dodging hits, stunning enemies, and taking a swing, for instance. But, like the puzzles, they require a precision that can be hard to master; the sheer simplicity is clever and deceiving.	Read review
Rock, Paper, Shotgun	Katharine Castle	Recommended	09-21-2021	It’s slow to start, but once Eastward gets going, this handsome post-apocalypse roars to life like nothing else, marrying top-down action with an exquisite cast of characters whose stories really make you care about the world you’re trying to save.	Read review
Screen Rant	Leo Faierman	5 / 5 stars	09-14-2021	Match all of the above with a mesmerizing soundtrack of hummable motifs, from cheerily playful ditties to dramatic dirges, and everything in between, and Eastward distinguishes itself handily within its heavily populated genre. While it’s not without its shortcomings	Read review
Slant Magazine	Justin Clark	3 / 5 stars	10-11-2021	Eastward wouldn’t be this frustrating if it didn’t get so much right when the narrative stays on target. There are numerous moments here that are truly alive to the strangeness of this world that might have truly inspired our awe, even our empathy for the characters, if we weren’t also being saddled with the frustration of wondering when the game is going to get on with the program. The payoff for the player’s patience isn’t without its power, but it’s also a bit of a missed opportunity. There are riches aplenty scattered across its protracted campaign, but you may remember Eastward most for its disrespect for the player’s time.	Read review
SomHráč.sk	Karel Šír	60 / 100	10-24-2021	Eastward requires a lot of patience for a pay-off that will ultimately just leave you scratching your head.	Read review
SpazioGames	Unknown	7.5 / 10	09-14-2021	Despite a few limits that stop it from becoming an instant classic, Eastward is a fun and relaxing ride that we believe it’s worth taking for every 2D action adventure fan.	Read review
The Escapist	Unknown	Recommended	09-14-2021	Video Review	Read review
The Game Crater	Henry Yu	10 / 10	09-24-2021	Eastward is the epitome of a role-playing game that pays homage to retro classics. Not only does it boast gorgeously drawn pixel art and an addicting soundtrack, but it also features a thought-provoking narrative and a world that will have you thinking about it long after you’ve finished the game.	Read review
Twinfinite	Zhiqing Wan	4 / 5 stars	09-14-2021	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.	Read review
Washington Post	Teddy Amenabar	Recommended	10-01-2021	Look at “Eastward” as a love letter to EarthBound, Zelda and Japanese RPGs. You can tell a lot of love was poured into this game and years of work. But the game’s art, music and format all work in service of a story that doesn’t actually say much. “Eastward” just doesn’t connect those last few dots.	Read review
WayTooManyGames	Fernando da Costa	9.5 / 10	09-29-2021	Eastward is a spectacular adventure well worth the wait. Hell, my complaints are all subjective, so they, to most, won’t even apply. That’s a testament to how mechanically sound it is. I enjoyed every second of it.	Read review
WellPlayed	Eleanore Blereau	10 / 10	09-24-2021	Eastward is a beautiful adventure, full of complexity and memorable characters that makes a world full of pixels seem larger than life.	Read review

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About Eastward

Game Description / Storyline:

Eastward is a beautifully detailed and charming adventure RPG, from Shanghai-based indie developers, Pixpil and published by Chucklefish. Escape the tyrannical clutches of a 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. Inspired by 90s Japanese animation, the visual style of Eastward has been brought to life using a combination of a modern, innovative 3D lighting system and a rich retro-pixel artwork.

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