Eastward is a single-player action-adventure role-playing game developed by Pixpil. It blends exploration, light combat, and puzzle-solving in a pixel-art world set in a near-future society threatened by a spreading toxic miasma. Players control the miner John and the young girl Sam as they escape an underground settlement and journey across a decaying continent by rail.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on traveling between settlements via train while stopping to explore towns, forests, and campsites. Combat involves switching between John and Sam to handle enemies and bosses. John uses melee tools such as a frying pan or ranged options like a flamethrower and cog-shooter, while Sam delivers a kinetic blast that can stun foes. Environmental puzzles require separating the characters to reach new areas or combining their abilities to progress through dungeons.
Cooking forms another key system. Players gather ingredients from forests, farms, and abandoned locations to prepare meals that provide health restoration, temporary boosts, or special effects. The game also features an in-game mini-RPG called Earth Born that players can engage with during the main adventure. Character interactions with a cast of eccentric residents add personality and occasional humor to the experience.
Game Modes
Eastward operates entirely as a single-player experience with no online or multiplayer components. The primary mode follows the linear story campaign, guiding the duo from their subterranean starting point through a series of regions connected by rail. Progress involves a mix of narrative sequences, combat encounters, and puzzle sections that encourage repeated character switching.
Within the campaign, players can spend time on optional activities such as completing side conversations, hunting collectibles, or playing the Earth Born mini-game. These elements extend playtime without altering the single-player structure. A separate DLC titled Octopia adds a farming-focused adventure set after the main events, where the characters manage a village through crop tending, animal care, and meal preparation.
Story and Exploration
The narrative follows John and Sam as they leave Potcrock Isle and venture into the surface world. Their journey reveals settlements with distinct visual styles and inhabitants who share personal stories amid the larger threat of the miasma. Travel occurs along a cross-continental railway that serves as the main hub for reaching new locations.
Exploration rewards attention to detail through hidden paths unlocked by splitting the characters and environmental clues that tie into puzzle solutions. The world mixes familiar post-apocalyptic elements with whimsical touches, such as bizarre creatures and unusual community customs.
Is It Worth Playing?
Eastward suits players who enjoy story-driven single-player adventures with accessible combat and puzzle elements. The game runs approximately thirty hours for a standard playthrough, with additional time available for optional content and the Earth Born mini-game. Steam user reviews rate it Very Positive overall, with recent feedback remaining Mostly Positive. The experience includes mature themes and adult humor, so it appeals most to those comfortable with those elements in an otherwise lighthearted presentation.
Those seeking a complete, self-contained campaign with character switching mechanics and cooking systems will find the core loop satisfying. The addition of the Octopia DLC provides further variety for players interested in a post-story farming segment. Availability on PC keeps the title accessible for new players years after its initial release.
