Eastward

Eastward comes from Shanghai indie studio Pixpil and is set in a near future where society has begun to fall apart and a toxic miasma devours everything in its path. Survivors fled into underground villages, but a hardworking miner named John and an enigmatic girl named Sam set out for the surface anyway.

You travel a decaying continent by rail, stopping in bustling towns, curious campsites, and shady forests. John fights with weapons such as a flamethrower, a cog-shooter, or his trusty old frying pan, while Sam's kinetic blast can briefly stun foes; switching between the pair or splitting them apart solves environmental puzzles and opens hidden routes through dungeons.

The world is full of quirky characters and warm, offbeat humor, and authentic Eastwardian cooking from ingredients gathered along the way grants health bonuses and secret boons. Joel Corelitz composed the upbeat soundtrack, with sound design from Irish studio Hyperduck Soundworks.