Life can be chaotic sometimes; getting lost in a video game can help players unwind. These days, I find myself gravitating towards Diablo 4 or Valheim. I love being overpowered and just whirlwind through hoards of baddies. However, this is not always the vibe. Sometimes, your girl wants to plant some crops in Stardew Valley or play dress-up in Animal Crossing. Those days are few and far between for me, but they do exist. Therefore, we will discuss a game more along those lines incorporating an artistic side. So, without further ado, let’s talk about Eastshade.
Eastshade’s Story
In this indie title, released in 2019, players take on the role of a traveling painter exploring the island of Eastshade. With your trusty easel in hand, you will capture the stunning world around you. When you are not painting, traverse the land and meet the locals. Make friends with those around you and help those who require aid. As you wander the island, you will find forgotten places and, experience the beauty of this world, and uncover a secret or two. Ultimately, you will see how your actions will impact this realm.
Features Unique to Eastshade
- A peaceful, open world.
- Explore the island at your own pace
- Paint what you see.
- Players can paint anything they see in this world.
- Gifting art to the locals can unlock secrets.
- You may also receive a gift of your own!
- Find crafting materials and schematics.
- These can help you get past obstacles or finish quests.
- Fully-voiced dynamic conversations.
- No need to try and make new voices for every character you meet.
- Does anyone else do that, or is it just me?
- No need to try and make new voices for every character you meet.
- And so much more!
Thoughts on Eastshade
When I first saw this title, I was skeptical. I did not think it would be a terrible game because I immediately fell in love with the concept. However, I was worried it would be Death Stranding but with paint, which is okay in theory. Except I was too impatient to play Death Stranding. The walking part, you know, the central part of the game, was not for me. I hated trying to avoid the baddies with thirty pounds of Amazon packages on my back. So, with a bit of hesitation, I went into Eastshade blind.
Even with that bias in mind, I had a blast playing Eastshade. It felt more akin to Elder Scrolls than it did Death Stranding. Everything from the music to the graphics gave way to a peaceful experience. I adored walking around and being able to paint anything in this world. The controls are easy to pick up after some practice. I dislike nothing about this title; I do not even mind the imaginary walls I have found. It is a beautiful experience through and through.
Additionally, I was nervous about the actual painting aspect of this game. As I have mentioned previously, I have essential tremors. This makes painting IRL slightly tricky. Painting in Eastshade is similar to taking a screenshot on a PC. I do this semiregularly and was comfortable with this mechanic. I was very grateful the developer did not decide to make it a mini-game where players would need to outline shapes or draw lines. Due to coming into Eastshade with some hesitation, I was pleasantly surprised and recommend it to budding artists or those looking for a peaceful time.
Odds & Ends
If you want to get in on the fun in Eastshade, it is available on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation. I have not played many walking simulators; however, if you are looking for another art-related video game, you are in luck! I also recommend this article on Epiphany City. Overall, both titles are fabulous, and I hope you give them a shot!
