Eastshade
A first-person open-world game with no combat mechanics.
Eastshade is an adventure photography game released in 2019, created by Eastshade Studios as a follow-up to their 2017 title Leaving Lyndow. The player takes on the role of a painter exploring an open world filled with anthropomorphic animals, viewed from a first-person perspective. The goal is to create paintings of four specific places across the island of Eastshade, honoring the final request of the protagonist’s mother. The game launched for Windows on February 13, 2019, and later arrived on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 21, 2019.
The game lacks combat entirely. Instead, players complete quests from non-player characters, which often involve performing kind acts, helping others correct mistakes, or uniting communities through the painter’s art. The painting mechanic works more like framing a photograph than actually painting a picture.
Before working on Eastshade, the studio released Leaving Lyndow as a smaller project. This served both to introduce the game’s world and to give the team experience with a full release, with its sales helping fund the larger Eastshade. The game was part of Xbox Game Pass from November 2020 to October 2021.
Critics generally received the PC version well, according to Metacritic. Reviewers praised it as a polished, immersive world that feels real despite being fictional, and noted it as a rare first-person open-world game without killing. Others highlighted its charm and how it makes taking screenshots a core part of play. However, some reviews pointed out unbalanced gameplay and technical problems.
- Developer
- Eastshade Studios
- Release date (Windows)
- February 13, 2019
- Release date (PS4, Xbox One)
- October 21, 2019
- Genre
- Adventure photography game
- Platforms
- Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Metacritic rating (PC)
- Generally favorable
Lore & Background
Eastshade was developed and published by Eastshade Studios as a sequel to their 2017 title Leaving Lyndow. The developers created Leaving Lyndow both as an introduction to the game's universe and to gain experience shipping a smaller project before undertaking a larger one, with sales revenue from that game intended to supplement Eastshade's funding. The game was initially released for Microsoft Windows on February 13, 2019, with console ports for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One following on October 21, 2019. It was also available through Xbox Game Pass from November 2020 until October 2021.
Reader's Guide
Eastshade received generally positive reviews from critics, with the PC version earning a 'generally favorable' rating on Metacritic. Reviewers highlighted its lack of combat mechanics, with GameSpot's David Wildgoose calling it a rare first-person open world game that does not involve killing other characters. Adventure Gamers' Becky Waxman gave the game a perfect score, describing it as a polished, immersive trek through an alluring world. PC Gamer's Philippa Warr noted that the game makes screenshotting an intrinsic part of play through its image capture mechanics. However, some publications offered less positive reviews, criticizing unbalanced gameplay mechanics and technical issues. The game's significance lies in its non-violent approach to the open-world genre, focusing on quests that involve doing good deeds, helping people, and bringing communities together through artistry.
Did You Know?
- Eastshade has no combat mechanics.
- The game's painting mechanics resemble framing a picture rather than painting one.
- Eastshade was available on Xbox Game Pass from November 2020 until October 2021.
- The game is a sequel to 2017's Leaving Lyndow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eastshade?
Eastshade is a first-person, open-world adventure game in which you play as a painter wandering an island populated by anthropomorphic animals. It was developed by Eastshade Studios as a follow-up to their 2017 title Leaving Lyndow and shipped in 2019.
What is the main objective in Eastshade?
You are tasked with completing four specific paintings of locations across the island, a final wish left by the protagonist's mother. Outside of those commissions, the game lets you explore freely, chat with animal residents, and sketch scenes at your own pace.
Does Eastshade have any combat or fighting?
No — the game is entirely combat-free. Interaction with the world revolves around painting, conversation, and exploration rather than any form of conflict or enemy encounters.
What platforms can I play Eastshade on?
The title launched on Windows PC on February 13, 2019, and later arrived on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 21, 2019. Its PC release earned generally favorable scores on Metacritic.
Who is the protagonist and what drives the story?
You control a nameless painter on a personal pilgrimage to fulfill their late mother's dying request to capture four places on the island in artwork. The narrative unfolds through conversations with the island's animal inhabitants and the act of painting itself, with no scripted battles or traditional quest markers.
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