Gaming is already an escape for many, providing a unique opportunity for those with busy, stressful or demanding schedules to momentarily disrupt the chaos by entering a virtual world over which they have some form of control. However, not all video games offer a true escape from reality, especially if they are equally exhausting, albeit in a different way. For example, some players may prefer to stay out of work and immediately dive into a FromSoftware game where their heart rate is elevated and encounters often require repeated attempts. While some might find it relaxing, there are titles like Eastshade out there that offer a truly peaceful experience where very little effort can go a long way.
Developed by Eastshade Studios, Eastshade is an open-world exploration adventure that requires very little of players in terms of gameplay, complete with an ambient, relaxing soundtrack to enhance its peaceful atmosphere. He currently holds an OpenCritic score of 83, it was praised by critics and players for its relaxing nature, beautiful visuals and peaceful open-ended exploration, with a contemplative, non-combat gameplay that makes it one of the best games for players who want to truly unwind after a long day of events.
Eastshade is one of the most relaxing open world games
Eastshade puts the player in the shoes of a traveling painter who explores the lush, peaceful island of Eastshade and completes tasks by creating paintings for the locals. Its gameplay is so simple that some critics refer to it as a peaceful walking simulator that consists of players interviewing locals, making friends and completing paintings for them, and witnessing their actions unfold. However, its unashamed simplicity is ultimately what makes it a great way for players to unwind.
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Start
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
Basic game features of Eastshade
- PEACEFUL OPEN WORLD — An exploratory adventure without any combat or violence.
- FIRST PERSON PAINTER — role lets you capture the world on screen wherever you are.
- DYNAMIC NPC INTERACTION — through fully voiced conversations with anthropomorphic residents.
- QUEST BASED PROGRESSION — completing tasks with the help of others and creating the required images.
- CRAFT AND OBSTACLES — collect materials and schemes to overcome natural obstacles and solve tasks.
- DISCOVERY AND MYSTERY — uncover secrets about the land and its traditions as you explore.
- SCENIC ENVIRONMENT ART — a lush, vibrant island setting that rewards curiosity and slow exploration.
- MEANINGFUL ACTIONS — how you engage with characters and quests affects the world around you.
In the heart EastshadeIt features a simple but refreshing decision to be absolutely no struggle in its open world. There are no enemies to kill, no boss fights waiting around the corner or in the main plots, and no punishing skill checks for players. Instead, Eastshade is built on curiosity, where players are encouraged to notice something strange in the distance and then go there without fear of encountering something they can't handle.
Painting mechanic in Eastshade helps with this slower pace by being his primary form of play. Instead of taking quick but gorgeous screenshots, players painstakingly paint on an easel to capture the world around them. Residents of Eastshade can request that players paint a specific landmark at sunrise, which naturally leads them to explore the world at a different time of day and see it in a (literally) new light. in this way EastshadePainting quests aren't necessarily about completing a checklist, but rather about appreciating the world from different perspectives.
In the heart EastshadeIt features a simple but refreshing decision to be absolutely no struggle in its open world.
Conversations with the anthropomorphic inhabitants of Eastshade are actually a major part of the whole experience. Interacting with NPCs v Eastshade take your time, but instead develop through dialogue trees that gradually reveal their personal stories, cultural traditions, and even bits of island lore. So helping a character is meant to feel less like a quest and more like doing a neighbor a favor, which adds to the game's healthy themes.
Even EastshadeLight crafting systems are designed to support in-game exploration. Collecting materials to build a tea set, unlock a new path, or access a hard-to-reach area gives Eastshade a sense of progression without ever making it feel like drudgery. There are obstacles for players to overcome, but they are not meant to be stressful. Rather, they act as gentle nudges that encourage the player to interact with the environment.
The whole experience will of course come together Eastshade's scenic environmental design. From windswept cliffs and dense forests to quiet villages and reflection-evoking lakes, it's almost as if the island of Eastshade wants players to linger there. Then the world, with its ambient soundtrack and soft color palette, practically begs players to slow down, take a breath, and let the worries of their lives drift away. It's a rare kind of open-world game, especially at a time when the genre is largely about doing rather than being. But in EastshadeThe real reward is actually being and letting the world do the work for itself.
It helped in many ways Eastshade will last from its release in 2019 for PC, Xbox and PlayStation consoles. At a time when open-world games already relied heavily on combat systems, skill trees, bloated maps, and massive checklists, they offered something much smoother, quieter, and less demanding. EastshadeA top critics average of 83 on OpenCritic reflects that critics recognized what she set out to do and how confidently she achieved it.
IN EastshadeThe real reward is actually being and letting the world do the work for itself.
It never tries to overwhelm the player in any way, and instead offers a purpose, atmosphere, and steady rhythm that feels almost therapeutic. For players who love open worlds but feel drained by constant danger or long to-do lists, Eastshade is a compelling reminder that open-world exploration doesn't need combat or a lot of stuff to be truly great. Sometimes the most memorable trips are the ones where the only real goal is to slow down and take it all in.
- Released
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February 13, 2019
- ESRB
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E10+ For everyone 10+ // Mild expressions, alcohol use
- Developers
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Eastshade Studios
- Publishers
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Eastshade Studios
