Gaming is already a means of escape for so many, as it grants a unique opportunity for those with busy, stressful, or demanding schedules to momentarily disrupt the chaos by entering into a virtual world they have some form of control over. However, not all video games offer a true getaway from reality, especially if they are just as exhausting, albeit in a different way. For instance, some gamers might prefer not to get off work and immediately dive into a FromSoftware game where their heart rate is elevated and encounters often require repetitive attempts. While some might still consider that relaxing, there are titles like Eastshade out there that offer a truly peaceful experience where very little effort can still go a long way.
Developed by Eastshade Studios, Eastshade is an open-world exploration adventure that requires very little from players in terms of gameplay, complete with an ambient, relaxing soundtrack to reinforce its serene atmosphere. Currently holding an OpenCritic score of 83, it has been praised by critics and players for its relaxing nature, beautiful visuals, and calm open-ended exploration, with combat-free, contemplative gameplay that makes it one of the best games out there for players who are looking to truly unwind after a long or eventful day.
Eastshade Is One of the Most Relaxing Open-World Games Out There
Eastshade puts players in the shoes of a traveling painter exploring the lush, serene island of Eastshade and completing quests by creating paintings for locals. Its gameplay is so simple that some critics have referred to it as a peaceful walking simulator, with it all coming down to players having conversations with locals, making friends and completing paintings for them, and witnessing the world evolve through their actions. However, its unabashed simplicity is ultimately what makes it a great way for players to relax.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
Eastshade’s Core Gameplay Features
- PEACEFUL OPEN-WORLD — exploration adventure with no combat or violence whatsoever.
- FIRST-PERSON PAINTER — role lets you capture the world on canvas anywhere you go.
- DYNAMIC NPC INTERACTION — through fully-voiced conversations with anthropomorphic inhabitants.
- QUEST-BASED PROGRESSION — completing tasks by helping others and creating requested paintings.
- CRAFTING AND OBSTACLES — gather materials and schematics to overcome natural barriers and solve quests.
- DISCOVERY AND MYSTERY — uncover secrets about the land and its lore as you explore.
- SCENIC ENVIRONMENT ART — lush, vibrant island settings that reward curiosity and slow exploration.
- MEANINGFUL ACTIONS — how you engage with characters and tasks influences the world around you.
At the heart of Eastshade‘s features is the simple but refreshing decision to have absolutely no combat in its open world. There are no enemies for players to kill, no boss fights waiting for them around the corner or at major plot points, and no punishing skill checks. Instead, Eastshade is built around curiosity, where players are encouraged to notice something peculiar in the distance and then go there without fear they might stumble onto something they can’t handle.
The painting mechanic in Eastshade helps with that slower pace by being its primary form of gameplay. Rather than snapping some quick but gorgeous screenshots, players carefully paint on their artist’s easel to capture the world around them. Eastshade inhabitants might request that players paint a specific landmark at sunrise, naturally leading them to explore the world at a different time of day and see it in a (literal) new light. In that way, Eastshade‘s painting quests aren’t necessarily about completing a checklist but more about appreciating the world from different perspectives.
At the heart of Eastshade‘s features is the simple but refreshing decision to have absolutely no combat in its open world.
Conversations with Eastshade’s anthropomorphic inhabitants is actually a core part of the whole experience. Interactions with NPCs in Eastshade don’t rush by but instead unfold through dialogue trees that gradually reveal their personal stories, cultural traditions, and even bits of island lore. Helping a character, then, is intended to feel less like a quest and more like doing a favor for a neighbor, which adds to the game’s wholesome themes.
Even Eastshade‘s light crafting systems are designed to support exploration in the game. Gathering materials to build a tea kit, unlock a new path, or access a hard-to-reach area gives Eastshade a sense of progression without ever making it feel like a grind. There are obstacles players are required to overcome, but they aren’t intended to be stressful. Rather, they function as gentle nudges that encourage players to interact with the environment.
Of course, the whole experience really comes together in Eastshade‘s scenic environmental design. From wind-swept cliffs and dense forests to quiet villages and lakes that evoke reflection, it’s almost as if the island of Eastshade wants players to linger in it. Then, with its ambient soundtrack and soft color palette, the world is practically begging players to slow down, breathe, and let the worries of their lives drift away. It’s a rare kind of open-world game, especially during a time when the genre is largely about doing rather than being. But in Eastshade, the real reward truly is being and letting the world itself do the work.
In many ways, that is what has helped Eastshade endure since its release in 2019 for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation consoles. At a time when open-world games were already leaning heavily into combat systems, skill trees, bloated maps, and massive checklists, it offered omething far gentler, quieter, and less demanding. Eastshade‘s Top Critic Average of 83 on OpenCritic reflects that critics recognized what it set out to do and how confidently it achieved it.
In Eastshade, the real reward truly is being and letting the world itself do the work.
It never tries to overwhelm players in any way and instead, it offers intention, atmosphere, and a steady rhythm that feels almost therapeutic. For players who love open worlds but feel drained by constant danger or lengthy lists of chores, Eastshade is a compelling reminder that open-world exploration doesn’t need combat or a bunch of things to do to actually be something great. Sometimes, the most memorable journeys are the ones where the only real objective 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 Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
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Eastshade Studios
- Publisher(s)
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Eastshade Studios
