Eastward (2021)

Eastward is a captivating adventure game developed by Pixpil that immerses players in a collapsing near-future world ravaged by a toxic miasma. You'll follow the journey of a hardworking miner and a mysterious young girl as they escape an oppressive subterranean society and venture across a decaying continent by rail. Along the way, you'll explore vibrant towns, quirky campsites, and eerie forests, encountering a cast of wonderfully weird characters. Combat is a dynamic affair, allowing you to switch between the resourceful John and the powerful Sam to overcome unique monsters and formidable bosses using a variety of weapons and Sam's kinetic abilities. Solving environmental puzzles and navigating challenging dungeons requires clever use of their combined skills. The game also boasts a heartwarming, story-driven experience filled with humor and the opportunity to cook authentic Eastwardian cuisine, all set to a fantastic soundtrack by Joel Corelitz and sound design from Hyperduck Soundworks. This game absolutely belongs on a list of Chucklefish's best due to its exceptional quality and alignment with Chucklefish's publishing philosophy. Chucklefish is renowned for championing unique, charming, and often visually stunning indie titles with strong narratives and engaging gameplay. Eastward perfectly embodies these qualities, offering a meticulously crafted pixel art world, a deeply engaging story, and innovative gameplay mechanics that stand out in the crowded indie scene. Its blend of action, puzzle-solving, and heartfelt character interactions, alongside its distinctive art style and memorable soundtrack, makes it a standout title that exemplifies the kind of high-caliber indie games Chucklefish is known for bringing to players. The recent Octopia DLC further solidifies its position by offering even more content and a delightful new farming simulation experience within the established world.