![]() The other is her adoptive father, John, who’s as unremarkable as his name suggests – like a silent, muddy lumberjack, whose only parental instinct seems to be that of physical protection. That child is Sam, herself the plot’s central enigma, and half of a delightful duo of player characters. And since the main speaking character is a child, Eastward shares Earthbound’s playful bravado and wide-eyed wonder. ![]() Taking place in a civilisation budding from the ruins of our own – or something like it – everyday routines and oddball personalities rub against mysterious conspiratorial powers and technologies. There’s another SNES classic at the heart of the game, too, as Eastward holds high fantasy at arm’s length, ushering in a mix of ordinary and bizarre that’s reminiscent of Nintendo’s Earthbound (there’s also a bonus 8-bit turn-based RPG within the game called Earth Born, which is presumably a reference). Yet the nature and furniture in Eastward still feel like they’ve emerged from bulky grey cartridges that measure their worlds in megabits. There’s technological prowess poking through its scene of sun-kissed wheat bristling around a village of junked ships, or the efficient characterisation of a man in rags who nervously pokes a hand through a hole in his shirt. Eastward looks more sumptuous than they ever did, with its dynamic lighting, HD detail and plethora of animated NPCs. In particular, that pixel art (and accompanying eclectic soundtrack) took me back to Square’s SNES triumphs, Final Fantasy VI and Secret of Mana. Much of my initial delight stemmed from the palpable 90s vibe seeping through the experience, from bulbous headed villagers loitering outside their homes, to the wibble-wibble squeaks that stand in for their speech. There is plenty to love about Eastward, however, most of it skilfully built on lessons learned from the golden age of 2D JRPGs. As it turns out, developer Pixpil hadn’t dissolved those big narrative lumps so much as punted them down the track, where they waited to ambush me with a vengeance. If only I could have sustained that sense of anticipation and excitement, but it wasn’t to be. READ MORE: ‘Lost in Random’ review: an enjoyable dark fairy tale marred by plodding action.By the time its characters boarded a train to depart from the opening location, Potcrock Isle, I was very much on board. This confident action-RPG had me at hello with its glorious pixel art, irresistible protagonists and elegant dungeoneering. These delicacies will grant health bonuses, power boosts and secret boons.RPGs are often slow starters, chipping through blocks of lore and backstories before hitting their strides. Get to know a quirky cast of characters with oodles of personality! Immerse yourself in a heartwarming story-driven adventure, packed with fun and wacky humour.Ĭreate deliciously authentic Eastwardian cuisine using (mostly) fresh, organic ingredients from toxic forests, potcrab farms and abandoned malls. ![]() ![]() Separate the duo to unlock hidden paths or stick together as you traverse a perilous landscape. Switch between John and Sam to solve environmental puzzles and fight your way through formidable dungeons. Feeling merciful? Try temporarily stunning them with Sam’s kinetic blast. Climb aboard the cross-country railway which spans this decaying continent, stopping off to explore its bustling towns, curious campsites and shady forests.įend off peculiar monsters and ferocious bosses with John’s weapon of choice - be it a flamethrower, cog-shooter or your trusty ol’ frying pan. But for a hardworking miner and a mysterious young girl, the hope of a thriving outside world beckons…Įscape the tyrannical clutches of Potcrock Isle'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.Ĭontains adult humour and some mature themes.ĭiscover the wonderfully weird world of Eastward. Those who could escape the miasma flocked to underground villages to start a new life. A deadly toxic presence has spread across the land, destroying and devouring everything in its path. In the near-future, society is starting to collapse, and the human population is at an all-time low. Eastward is a beautifully detailed and charming adventure game, from Shanghai-based indie developers, Pixpil.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |