Eastward is here, taking players on a journey across a surreal world full of bizarre characters and quirky foes. In the early game, players master the frying pan and escape from the depths of the underground to learn more about a mysterious miasma that destroys everything it comes in contact with. Over the course of the title, players will gain additional hit points (heart counters) from slaying bosses and completing major goals, upgrade a number of ranged weapons to complement the frying pan, cook up glorious boss-busting meals, and bomb countless walls to find bonus chests.
The currency in this world is salt, and you can spend it on all kinds of upgrades, but I often spent my hard-earned salt on a variety of ingredients so I could be flush with potent food options at all times. The game channels big Earthbound energy, so if you’re a fan of the old-school SNES title, Undertale, or other quirky RPGs, you’re definitely in the right place. Eastward features a game inside the game for retro RPG enthusiasts, a fully playable title called Earth Born. You’re probably going to enjoy it. Join us in this episode of New Gameplay Today for a look and a discussion regarding Eastward, which releases on September 16 on PC and Switch.
“The locations and characters that fill these environments are memorable, and I wanted to thoroughly explore the town to make sure I talked to every single NPC,” I said in my Game Informer review with a score of 8.5. “I can’t remember the last time I did that in an RPG, and it’s a testament to what a fine world Pixpil has created. These cozy lore elements probably would have worked with any art style, but Eastward’s combination of spectacular music and pixelated look creates an atmosphere that proves you don’t need 4K resolution and ray-tracing to make something magical.”