Dystopia has never looked so charming and dazzlingly colorful as it does in Eastward, a title launching from Chucklefish. Set in a subterranean post-apocalyptic world, Eastward is an adventure RPG that follows digger John and his young charge Sam, who he found in a strange embryonic sac deep in the mines of Potcrock Isle.
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The true charm of Eastward is the many surprises that wait below (and above) the surface of the game's potential. You do not want to miss out as a new player, so here are a few things you might want to know before you set off on your adventure with John and Sam.
Updated on December 14, 2022, by Christopher Argentino: Ever since Eastward came out, we've all had a blast with John and Sam. Now that we've played it for enough time, we wanted to give you some more tips to keep in mind while exploring the pixelated world you are given the chance to explore. From reminding you about the important item, you should pick up early on to how you can take down bosses, we always want to ensure you have the best advice.
10 Refrigerate Your Memories
This is perhaps a reference to that universal experience we have all had, where we open the refrigerator door and stare blankly into the cold shelves before closing it empty-handed. In Eastward, we do not save at a typewriter or even a bonfire.
John or Sam opens up a fridge, which will greet you with an ominous message such as, "You can refrigerate your memories here. But when you take them out again... will the new you be you?". Undertale vibes aside, it is a good idea to save at the fridges whenever possible and not rely too much on the game's autosave feature.
9 There's More Above Ground
The core of Eastward's story might be rooted in the dystopian subterranean society which has clung to Potcrock Isle like a scab on an old wound, but the real action happens above ground. Though some teasers and trailers focused on the underground where John dug up Sam, much of their adventures occur while traversing the dangerous and prohibited "surface.".
Though any Potcrock Isle denizen who claims to have seen life at the surface is called a "fantasist", Sam is insistent that there is a beautiful world of blue and green to be found up there.
8 Avoid Button Mashing
While this might be fairly intuitive to those familiar with RPGs and adventure games of Eastward's ilk, it is important to note to new players that this is not a game that rewards button mashing. John's first primary attack is a melee performed with his trusty frying pan. This brings him in close quarters with enemies. So take it slow, keep some distance, and learn each enemy's attack pattern.
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When it comes to Sam's supernatural abilities, you will also thank yourself for not spamming buttons. Her powers drain an energy bar that refills fairly quickly but gets zapped quickly. Slow, steady, and deliberate wins the race here.
7 Use Your Charged Attack For More Than Melee
Early in the game, John will learn how to charge up his frying pan for a more powerful whack. This charge attack can also be aimed, unlocking many possibilities.
Namely, using the charged attack to smack around projectiles. You can use the charged attack to slap bombs into clusters of enemies or into parts of the environment that are breakable to progress. There are even "clods" of dirt lying around in some areas, which can be used for the same effect.
6 Make A Little Friendly Conversation
Like any adventure RPG, much of the game's story is revealed through story progression and smaller moments and interactions with side characters and NPCs. In Eastward, there are many colorful characters in Potcrock Isle and beyond, and though not all of them are too keen on being friends with John and Sam, getting to know them helps you get to the meat of the story.
If you are playing on PC, you can even obtain some Steam achievements for talking to up to 100 NPCs.
5 Keep An Ear Out For Treasure Chests
Treasure chests are a godsend in Eastward, and the best way to find them is by buying the Treasure Radar early on in the game. The total price is 50 salt, so you’ll want to get that quickly.
Once you have the Treasure Radar, you’ll need to listen. It’s like a metal detector. The more it beeps, the closer you are. Don’t forget that sometimes a treasure chest could be behind a seemingly impenetrable wall. Try walking through it and see what happens.
4 Get Cooking For Heals And Buffs
John's trusty old frying pan is good for more than just slapping ground snakes and slugs. Slap that bad boy down onto a stovetop instead, and open yourself to a world of possible food creations. Yep, there is indeed a cooking mini-game in Eastward.
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Besides the fact that the animation sequence for cooking is ridiculously charming, the results produce dishes with a myriad of benefits. Experiment with ingredients and spices from below and above ground to unlock new healing and buff effects. It might take some time to master the slot machine mechanic at the start of the cooking sequence, but it pays off greatly.
3 Break Everything
Boxes? Smash them. Glass vials? Shatter them. Sturdy wood barrels? Demolish those suckers. Hitting breakable objects in the game might seem fruitless sometimes, but it is a great habit to get into while playing Eastward.
Some rooms hold nothing but breakable objects, and for good reason. The drop might be random, but breakable objects occasionally drop hearts and small quantities of salt if you smash them. So it is time to square up and show those barrels who is boss. Your wallet will thank you later.
2 Gameplay Is Best Experienced With A Controller
If you are debating whether to download Eastward for Nintendo Switch or PC/Mac, it is important to know that playing with a controller or gamepad is recommended. Considering this, purchasing Eastward for Switch might be the better idea. It does not hurt that Eastward has some nostalgic and retro UI features that lend themselves well to the Switch's aesthetic.
However, if you have your heart set on experiencing Eastward on your PC or Mac, you are still in luck. Steam has made it easier to hook up a controller if playing with a keyboard and mouse becomes too irksome. Just enter Big Picture Mode in Steam and find your controller settings to hook up a Playstation, Xbox, Switch, or generic gamepad controller for a more comfortable Eastward experience.
1 Find A Bosses Weak Point
While in the game, you'll come across a whole array of boss fights that seem a bit out of your league. But remember that you'll have to find their weakness every time you take on a boss fight. For example, the first boss inhales everything on the field. Maybe you could drop a bomb for him to swallow?
After you understand the weakness, you'll be able to use the environment and items at your disposal. When keeping this in mind, you'll find it easier than you first thought.
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