Eastshade

Ever been to a place so nice you just want to roam it as much as you can and get lost? Eastshade is one of those. No monsters, no danger, just a sweet and melancholic place that looks like a memory. One of those bittersweet, nostalgic moments where your mind wanders aimlessly, simply enjoying it's existence. As if a scent you happen to perceive again after many years made you remember something you had long forgotten.
Eastshade is simple, yet unforgettable.

I don't post a lot of reviews as I feel they generally get lost among all the others but in this case I had to make an exception. This is a thoroughly wonderful, heart-warming experience that should be experienced by anyone looking for something different from the usual games about conflict and killing.
First, I want to address what kind of game it it. I see a lot of people calling this a walking simulator and that is just plain wrong. Walking simulators are largely passive. You generally walk along a mostly linear path reading notes, maybe observing events and there is generally very little interaction. This game is definitely an adventure game. It has more in common with the old point and click adventure games than with games like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.
It is an open world game that you can navigate as you please, baring a few "gates" that require completing quests to open. You play as an artist who has traveled to an island that was a special place to your recently departed mother. Your main goal is to paint four of her favorite locations on the island. In the process you will travel the length and breadth of this wondrous island, having conversations, helping people with their problems, taking in the sites, engaging in some light puzzle solving and even doing some crafting, though not of the "survival" type.
As stated earlier, there is no conflict or combat. You can not die. The worst that happen is if you get caught outside after sundown before you have bought a coat or crafted a tent, you will get sent back to the nearest inn you rented a room at. You gather materials to craft caravans to paint on, brew teas and build items that will allow you to reach new parts of the island or travel faster. As you explore and complete quests you'll earn inspiration which is required to paint paintings.
The dialog is all well written and you'll actually care about the characters you come into contact with and feel invested in their stories. You'll find yourself wanting to help them and do good. The scenery is uniformly beautiful. As is the music.
It all adds up to an extremely relaxing, enjoyable experience. When I realized I had completed all the quests and I would be leaving this place, I felt a genuine touch of sadness, as it had all be so delightful. Yes, I encountered a few bugs regarding graphics or physics but nothing that ruined the experience and certainly nothing game breaking.
As a bonus, the game runs perfectly on the Steam Deck.
I really can't say enough good things about this game. It's highly recommended and I wish there were more like it.

This game feels like home.
Enjoy taking your time, enjoy the scenery and the amazing, calming soundtrack.
Sometimes I just stop and watch the sun go down.
No dying, no fighting, just need to stay warm at night, which gives you a great reason to visit the nearest inn and warm up near the fire. You can stay up all night if you wish, just chilling. You won't turn into a pumpkin if you are still up at 2 AM like in certain games..
I enjoy very much exploring during the day, and grabbing a book when it is night time in game, just reading and listening to music or just in plain silent. There are moments with no music in this game so you get a chance to listen to the crackling fire or seagulls/waves in the background... Did I forget to mention that you can go fishing and camping..?
Welcome Home.

One of the most beautiful games I've ever played, Eastshade is in a class by itself. To my knowledge there isn't another game like it out there, which is truly a shame.

The biggest appeal to me when it comes to games is that it have something a little different about it so it doesn't feel like I'm playing a game I've already played, just with different skins. This game checks that box for me. On top of being unique, it's visually stunning. If your looking for a relaxing time with a little bit of interesting lore that's sprinkled with just a hint of a choices-matter element, this is a game for you.

skyrim but cozier

This game is special. I mean it. The graphics are gorgeous. I can't remember how many times I just stopped whatever I was trying to do in-game and just stared at the sunset or the mountains. Playing it feels like being a tourist and exploring a brand new place you've never been to before (including but not limited to - reading a map, which this game taught me to do, funnily enough). The characters are interesting and most of the quests are unique and captivating. Even the small ones; whether it's helping someone ask their crush out, searching for a secret society or getting hired as a professional artist - it all holds the same amount of charm.
The exploration is equally interesting, if not more. Everything you find, you find on your own. There's no quest markers, no golden trail to show you where to go, nothing. All you have is a basic map, your eyes and the instructions you get from NPCs. That doesn't mean that trying to find anything is a pain - there are some hard-to-find locations, but places tied to the main campaign are relatively easy to find. Everything else, however, takes some searching. And once you stumble upon something new, whether a puzzle, a character or a location - it's all the more rewarding.
The only potential criticism I can think of is that the game can be a bit janky at times, but it's the charming kind of jank. At least for me.