Eastward

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Eastward are quite varied, showcasing a range of perspectives on the narrative experience. Critics such as Cultured Vultures and Finger Guns praise the game for its fantastic storytelling, endearing characters, and strong bond between the main characters, John and Sam. The narrative is described as charming, engaging, and filled with mystery and intrigue. Hobby Consolas also appreciates the emotional storytelling and charming characters in a retro-style adventure setting, highlighting the positive impact of the narrative on the overall experience. On the other hand, critics like Metro GameCentral and Nintendo Enthusiast criticize the story for its poor pacing, lack of character development for the main characters, and generic plot elements. Metro GameCentral specifically mentions that the plot is aimless, the dialogue is overwrought, and the story loses itself in multiple digressions, leading to an unsatisfying resolution. IGN Japan also points out weak plot and storytelling, lacking depth in narrative and character interactions, which detracts from the overall impact of the story. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards the positive side, with many reviewers appreciating the engaging storytelling, character interactions, and emotional depth of the narrative. Critics like Game Informer and DualShockers praise the captivating story, characters, and lore of Eastward, highlighting its real, heartfelt, and memorable qualities. While there are criticisms regarding pacing, character development, and plot execution from some reviewers, the majority of critics find the story to be intriguing, evocative, and well-crafted, offering a blend of mystery, emotion, and engaging character dynamics. The overall sentiment suggests that Eastward succeeds in delivering a compelling narrative experience that resonates with players on different levels, making it a noteworthy addition to the genre of story-driven games.

The gameplay of Eastward has received a lot of positive feedback from critics. Many reviewers highlighted the ability to switch between characters and utilize their unique strengths as a fresh and engaging mechanic. COGconnected appreciated this feature, mentioning that it adds a twist to the genre. Cultured Vultures also praised the gameplay, mentioning that the combat, exploration, and environmental puzzles akin to 2D Zelda games escalate in difficulty in surprising but fair ways. Additionally, RPG Fan noted that controlling both John and Sam adds depth to combat and puzzle scenarios, making for a rewarding experience. On the other hand, some critics had mixed opinions about certain aspects of the gameplay. Metro GameCentral criticized the combat and puzzles for being simple and lacking substance or originality, only coming alive during boss battles. Game Informer also mentioned that the combat and puzzles are simplistic and not satisfying, although they did appreciate the cooking mechanic. PC Gamer pointed out that some sections of the game felt repetitive, and aiming with the frying pan during combat could be difficult. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of Eastward is largely positive. The game is praised for its engaging mechanics, challenging puzzles, and satisfying combat, with well-designed dungeons providing a rewarding experience. Critics like Vooks and WellPlayed highlighted the seamless and enjoyable combat mechanics, while Gamers Heroes appreciated the fusion of classic RPG elements like combat, dungeon exploration, and puzzle-solving. Despite some criticisms about simplicity and occasional pacing issues, the majority of reviewers found Eastward's gameplay to be a successful blend of action-adventure, RPG, and puzzle elements, creating an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience for players.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the graphics and visual design of Eastward, highlighting its stunning pixel art style and detailed environments. Critics such as Cultured Vultures and Finger Guns commended the eye-popping pixel art style with detailed and well-realized settings that depict a post-post-apocalyptic world. The game's visuals were described as vibrant, expressive, and capturing the essence of the game's world, with Hobby Consolas noting a nostalgic art style with visually stunning design. The attention to detail, emotive character animations, and unique NPCs were also highlighted by Nintendo Enthusiast and NintendoWorldReport, further emphasizing the game's visual appeal. However, some critics did mention minor drawbacks in the graphics and visual design of Eastward. IGN Japan criticized the lack of varied camera angles and reliance on Studio Ghibli-inspired animation ideas, which may have impacted the overall visual experience for some players. SpazioGames noted occasional bugs and frame rate drops during intense battles, suggesting potential technical issues that could detract from the otherwise charming 16-bit graphics reminiscent of Earthbound. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment among critics leans heavily towards the positive aspects of the game's graphics and visual design. In conclusion, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the graphics and visual design of Eastward. The game's pixel art style, detailed environments, expressive character animations, and unique world-building elements were widely praised, with critics such as Eurogamer Italy and Game Informer highlighting the visually striking graphic style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films and the whimsical and enchanting atmosphere created by the pixelated art style. While some critics pointed out minor issues such as technical glitches and lack of variety in animation angles, the overall sentiment is that Eastward delivers a visually stunning and immersive experience that successfully blends nostalgia with modern detail, making it a standout title in terms of graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics praised the Sound Design and Music of Eastward, highlighting various positive aspects. Critics like Cultured Vultures and Finger Guns appreciated the retro-style game soundtracks, with chiptune arrangements that were described as stunning and emotional, enhancing the overall experience. The 80s influenced synthwave score was also well-received, with COGconnected mentioning it as satisfying, and Pocket Tactics noting how it added personality to the characters. Several critics, such as KeenGamer and Launcher, specifically praised the memorable and immersive nature of the soundtrack, with Joel Corelitz's compositions standing out for their ability to enhance the atmosphere and gameplay experience. While the overall sentiment towards the Sound Design and Music of Eastward was positive, there were some criticisms raised by a few critics. Nintendo Enthusiast mentioned that the soundtrack was serviceable but did not complement the storytelling as effectively as the visuals. IGN Japan noted that the high-quality music sometimes clashed with the game's atmosphere, suggesting a potential inconsistency in the integration of the soundtrack. Vandal also pointed out moments of repetitiveness in the music integration, indicating a need for more variety or dynamic musical cues to prevent monotony. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Sound Design and Music of Eastward. The majority of reviewers found the soundtrack to be captivating, immersive, and enhancing of the overall gaming experience. Critics like Game Informer, Gameblog.fr, and DualShockers described the music as excellent, fantastic, and delightful, respectively, underlining its significant contribution to the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Despite some minor criticisms, the general consensus is that the Sound Design and Music of Eastward successfully evoke nostalgia, enhance immersion, and elevate the overall quality of the gameplay, making it a standout aspect of the title that resonated with the majority of critics.

The absence of voice acting in Eastward seems to have garnered mixed reactions from the critics. COGconnected and Checkpoint Gaming both noted the lack of voice acting but highlighted that it did not detract from the characters and narrative. PC Gamer praised the text design for effectively conveying the personalities of the characters without the need for voiceovers. RPG Site also commended the game for bringing characters to life through great dialogue, showcasing humor even with a silent protagonist. TheXboxHub mentioned that despite the absence of voice work, emotions and personalities were effectively portrayed, indicating that the game still managed to resonate with the players. On the flip side, God is a Geek, PC Games, and PC Gamer pointed out the absence of spoken dialogue in Eastward. PC Games specifically mentioned that while the English voice acting and extensive dialogues were commendable, language barriers for non-English speakers hindered the overall experience. This limitation could potentially impact the accessibility and immersion for players who rely on voice acting for a more engaging gameplay experience. Overall, the critics' opinions on the voice acting in Eastward reflect a diverse range of perspectives. While some reviewers appreciated the game's ability to develop characters and convey emotions effectively through text-based dialogue, others highlighted the potential drawbacks of not having voiceovers, particularly in terms of accessibility for non-English speakers. Despite the lack of voice acting, the consensus seems to be that Eastward still manages to deliver a compelling narrative and engaging character interactions through its well-crafted dialogue and storytelling, resonating positively with players and critics alike.

In terms of the technical performance on the Nintendo Switch, several critics noted both positives and negatives. Positives include the generous autosave feature, as highlighted by critics like RPG Fan and WellPlayed, which helped mitigate the impact of occasional crashes. Additionally, some reviewers, such as Hobby Consolas and Vooks, mentioned that minor technical issues were present but not significant enough to detract from the overall gameplay experience. These aspects indicate that the game generally runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, with the autosave system being particularly praised for its convenience. On the flip side, the Nintendo Switch version of Eastward faced criticism for frequent crashes and frame drops, especially during cutscenes and boss fights, as noted by critics like KeenGamer and Nintendo Enthusiast. This negatively impacted the overall experience for some players, with instances of crashes leading to frustration during gameplay. The technical issues, including crashes and glitches, mentioned by Switch Player also contributed to a less than optimal experience for players on the Nintendo Switch platform. Across all gaming platforms, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of Eastward leans towards a mixed reception. While some reviewers on the Nintendo Switch highlighted the presence of technical issues such as crashes and frame rate drops, others on PC, like RPG Site, reported a stable gameplay experience with only minor glitches. The overall sentiment suggests that while the game may suffer from technical hiccups on certain platforms, such as the Nintendo Switch, patches have been released to address some of these issues, as mentioned by Vooks. Ultimately, the technical performance of Eastward varies depending on the platform, with some players experiencing smoother gameplay than others.

In terms of positives regarding the replay value of Eastward, several critics highlighted the diverse range of activities and hidden content available within the game. Switch Player appreciated the various things to see and do, such as collecting gacha figures, cooking, and engaging with a separate game within Eastward. Checkpoint Gaming and RPG Site also noted the optional side quests, mini-games, and secrets scattered throughout the game, providing players with extended gameplay opportunities. IGN specifically mentioned the detailed roguelite JRPG game-within-the-game, adding depth and replay value to the overall experience. On the flip side, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks that may impact the replayability of Eastward. Switch Player mentioned the absence of a New Game + mode and the challenge of revisiting previously explored areas without guidance, potentially hindering players looking to fully explore the game's content. XGN highlighted the inability to skip cutscenes during replays, which could dampen the appeal of replaying chapters in random order. Meristation also critiqued the game for lacking combat difficulty and challenging puzzles, which could deter players seeking a more engaging gameplay experience. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards Eastward offering a decent amount of replay value through its hidden areas, mini-games, and additional content. While some critics like GAMINGbible and Screen Rant praised the optional areas to explore, secrets to uncover, and the RPG minigame within the game, others like PC Games and SpazioGames expressed concerns about the limited replay value due to linear gameplay and the inability to revisit certain locations. Despite mixed opinions on specific features like side quests and combat difficulty, the general sentiment suggests that Eastward provides a varied gameplay experience with enough incentives for players to revisit and explore its world.