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I spent nearly two years in China, working and traveling extensively, highlighted by an epic all-land journey from Malaysia, through five Southeast Asian countries, and on to Mengla in the far south of China. I traveled all the way north, nearly reaching Beijing (which I'd already visited several times). While the cities were impressive, it was the smaller, more quaint villages that truly captured my attention, places filled with tradition and character, like Fenghuang, Gulangyu, and Yangshuo. These are the locations my mind drifts to when I think back on my time in China. Created by a team in Shanghai, Eastward evokes the same charm as these smaller towns rather than the megapolis in which it was created. While Potcrock Isle's appearance differs, both share that rustic, charming atmosphere. Doubly so for New Dam City.
This is one of the most beautiful retro-style games I’ve ever played. As much as I appreciated the fine details of the towns, it was the outskirts of the city early on that captured my imagination the most. I haven’t traveled to the Pacific Northwest yet, but that's the mood I got: where the weather is neither too hot nor cold, not quite humid or dry, on the verge of rain but not quite there, and that wonderfully fresh, crisp feeling in the air with lush vegetation all around.
This extends to the sprite work, which is expertly done and full of expressions, as well as intriguing enemies, though I would have preferred more variety. The story stars John, a man of few words and pretty much the antithesis of a hero. He's your average run-of-the-mill 40-something, hands in his pocket and shuffling off to his next task, refreshing in a world full of cliched heroes. There are no mega blades or ultra weapons here, just a trusty frying pan.
To be fair, he does acquire three other weapons, but his primary always remains the frying pan. Similar to Zelda, bombs play a central role in progressing and uncovering secrets, including the well-sought-after, elusive heart pieces (4 pieces equal a heart). John is joined by Sam, a mysterious girl, whom he has taken in and adopted as his responsibility.
There is a strong emphasis on teamwork between the two, both in the story and when advancing through various dungeons. The characters work in tandem to interact with their environment and unlock paths for each other, so careful thinking and quick reactions are essential for success. Naturally, some of those puzzles towards the end were tough, and timing was tight, but nothing unfair. I found Sam's kinetic energy tough to aim at times, but nothing outrageous. She is integral in several boss battles as well, to damage shields so John can work his magic with his pan.
Bosses aren't difficult, and the strategies sadly boil down to brute force. Most bosses didn’t force your hand to adapt, so to speak. Another gripe I have with these battles is that I didn’t see any visible HP meter, and sometimes the indicators of damage were too subtle. There’s a late-game boss that changes up the formula and requires parrying, which wasn't necessary for the first 95% of the game and is probably the hardest portion of the game, much harder than the final boss. I wish I could yell it from the rooftops: "Don’t introduce new mechanics in the final portion of a game!" At the very least, sprinkle them in earlier, even if sporadically, so players have some idea that they’re possible at any time. It must be stated that Eastward is not a game of finesse. John doesn’t glide or dash through battles; he plods his way through every dungeon and boss fight, moving at a deliberate pace. Don’t expect to quickly dodge out of the way or stylishly roll away from a dangerous strike, so if you’re hoping for fast-paced combat, this may feel a bit slow and even clunky in comparison.
I enjoyed this game on many levels. It's the type of game you can just come home to, sit down and relax with, and immerse yourself in, almost like a Studio Ghibli movie. While many games rely on filler via extra-long dungeons or grinding requirements, Eastward feels more weighty in the story department. I don't think it is as bad as the most negative detractors claim, but it can be long-winded. That’s a pity because the story itself is serviceable.
It takes place in what feels like it could be just a few decades in the future, with subtle dystopian vibes and a mysterious toxic mist spreading throughout the world. Those who could escape have built underground cities. It’s quite harrowing to think about several generations who have never seen the gorgeous blue skies of the surface. Tired of their repressive life below ground, John and Sam venture to the surface. Regardless of where they go, plenty of fascinating NPCs await.
A cooking mini-game that feels too similar to Breath of the Wild ensures there's plenty of healing items to weather even the hardest portions of the game. I found 33 of the 35 possible recipes, and they don’t just heal; some can temporarily boost defense or attack. Each time you pick ingredients, 3 or 4 per recipe, a wheel pops up with three reels. A successful spin (2 or 3 of the same item) ensures stronger results, offering more healing and additional status buffs. Storage is limited, though it can be expanded by purchasing an extra bag. However, unlike in some games (such as Earthbound, which was still a great game overall), the limited item storage never felt restrictive. The game strikes a good balance, ensuring that while inventory management is present, it doesn’t frustrate.
I found it interesting that the music was outsourced to a composer in the USA. He did an excellent job creating suitable tracks for every situation in the game. The tracks are poignant, ethereal, and enigmatic, with a few light-hearted songs thrown in during humorous scenes.
As I alluded to, the game should take around 20 hours to complete, but it could have easily been condensed into a brisker, more efficient 15 hours or so. This doesn’t include side quests or optional content, like Earth Born, a turn-based game within the game. Despite a bit of fluff, this is a fantastic game, a Link to the Past-style adventure that’s definitely worth trying, and a strong first effort from developers Pixpil.
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