Eastward (video game)

Eastward focuses on action RPG gameplay mechanics, combining combat with puzzle solving and exploration. Players make use of two characters, each with different abilities and roles in the game: John, the main protagonist, is focused on offensive skills, can utilize a variety of weapons as well as bombs, and is capable of moving heavy objects; Sam, the second protagonist, makes use of support skills, can stun enemies and clear away hazardous fields with an energy ball, and squeeze into small spaces. While both characters can help each other in overcoming enemies and dealing with puzzles, players will sometimes be required to use each character separately to make progress, such as clearing a way to an exit.

The game itself is divided into chapters, with each chapter featuring a variety of goals that need to be completed to progress the game, and a set of map areas to explore with fast travel available at times to move around locations quickly. Players may encounter NPCs to talk with when not in combat, can save their progress at specialized fridges, and use ingredients found in the game to create food items that can not only restore health, but also provide a combination of bonus effects, such as increased damage power.

In addition to the main game, players may also play a second game accessible in Eastward called "Earth Born" - a homage to the Dragon Quest series, which plays like a traditional role-playing game with some rogue like elements. The story is classic fantasy role-playing game abstraction of the story of Eastward. While having no bearing on the main game, it can only be played in game until chapter 7, after which it is accessible as an extra when the game is completed. Players can during the main game, acquire tokens to unlock "pixballs" for Earth Born, which unlock additional features.

The game was developed by Shanghai-based Pixpil and is the company's debut game.[4] Three Pixpil team members began development on the game in 2015, and the game was reported to be seen on Steam Greenlight in 2017.[5] The game's publisher, Chucklefish, released an announcement trailer for the game on April 26, 2018.[6]

While discussing the game, a co-founder stated, "It started with Hong, our Lead Artist, who drew some sketches about a weird monster dormitory building, resembling Hong Kong's Kowloon Walled City". Other members of Pixpil liked the idea, and wanted to develop a game based on it. They came up with several game ideas for it, from a mobile puzzle game to a role-playing video game, but the small studio wanted to make a role-playing game. The term Eastward was coined by the founder as a key concept for the game, as the characters are trying to go east.[7]

The studio was originally made up of the three founders but over the course of development it grew to around 12 full-time employees. The title mixes a custom engine developed by Pixpil called Gii and open source software like MOAI to add 3D effects to, so that, in the words of one developer: "the processing power on modern hardware won't be wasted". Designs were done in Photoshop and the pixel art was created in Aseprite. The 3D effects can be seen in the game's lighting and post-processing. Pixpil outsourced the music to Joel Corelitz due to issues finding local composers that could mesh with Eastward's style. Commenting on outsourcing the audio to Hyperduck Soundworks, a developer said, "although we fully understand the importance of the audio part of a game, the industry de facto makes it hard to hire a full-timer on an indie team to design music and sound".[5] The studio mentioned being open to porting it to additional platforms, but decided to focus on Switch, macOS, and Windows for launch.[7][8]

Eastward's cooking system was inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's mechanic of bonuses depending on the ingredient.[9] The game used an in-house engine based on pixel artist Hong Moran's style.[5]

The game was released by publisher Chucklefish on September 16, 2021, onto both Nintendo Switch and Windows.[2]

Eastward received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic.[10][11]

Video game media outlets commented positively on John and Sam's characterization, as well as Eastward's story, visuals, and attention to detail.[2][21][22] The game's music and sound design was also positively received.[4][14] However, reviewers also noted that the game's slow pacing was to its detriment at times.[2][23][4]

Malindy Hetfeld of Eurogamer wrote that "Eastward is an incredibly rewarding slice-of-life story," and added that the game contains beautiful visuals and is the "type of kind, warm game not many developers make anymore."[2] Rock Paper Shotgun's Katharine Castle commented that Eastward is "an affecting, detail-rich tale that owes as much to the action of top-down Zelda games as it does to the role-playing intimacy of EarthBound."[4] Daniel Tack of Game Informer wrote that "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."[14] Nintendo Life praised the game's new take on the story-based role-playing game, saying the game "smartly integrates gameplay and story ideas from beloved classics while still managing to feel like an original and well-executed adventure".[24]

Writing for NPR, Keller Gordon called Eastward "a triumph that stretches the standard for indie game development," adding that the game "masterfully combines popular tropes from older titles and genres without feeling hackneyed and stale."[21] Gordon also commented that "Eastward expertly toes the line between lovable and genuinely dark."[21] Destructoid's Eric Van Allen criticized the pacing of the story, noting that, "It's also a narrative that has trouble maintaining an even pace, with a few characters and threads that feel left by the wayside by the story’s end".[25] Nicole Carpenter of Polygon wrote that "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."[22] IGN's Jon Bolding liked the art style of the game, writing, "The vibrant pixel art landscapes are so creative and so packed with detail".[26]

On the game's pacing, Castle wrote "While some will no doubt appreciate its gentle, methodical pacing, I suspect others may find it too much of a slow burner to carry on."[4] Jon Bailes of NME criticized the game's length, writing "Eastward is a very good 12-15-hour experience bouncing around inside a 20-hour plus slog. That may not sound like too much slack, but it's enough to deaden the momentum on the whole."[23] Nintendo World Report's Alex Orona enjoyed the writing, and the characters, saying that, "the game is filled with full fleshed-out side characters that fill what feels like a realized world".[18] Sam Loveridge of GamesRadar+ felt that game had an attention to detail that made the world feel alive, "Every place you encounter has little details that also make it unique, encouraging you to dive into every alley and cave to see what you can find".[27]

Many reviewers also commented positively on the game's homage to classic role-playing games.[2][21][23] The Legend of Zelda, EarthBound, Dragon Quest, and Final Fantasy have all been mentioned as games that Eastward pays homage to.[2][23] Additionally, Studio Ghibli is also referenced by the game.[22] Carpenter wrote that "Eastward is not subtle about its influences: Chinese developer Pixpil has lovingly pulled inspiration from all sorts of media and combined it into a pixel art role-playing game that's still, somehow, unquestionably itself."[22]

Renata Price of Kotaku praised the art style of the game and puzzle design, but criticized the pacing issues, predictable plot, treatment of fat people and how the game treated the lesbian relationship between Isabel and Alva.[28]

• Official website