Writing for NPR, Keller Gordon called Eastward "a triumph that stretches the standard for indie game development," adding that the game "masterfully combines popular tropes from older titles and genres without feeling hackneyed and stale." Gordon also commented that "Eastward expertly toes the line between lovable and genuinely dark." Destructoid's Eric Van Allen criticized the pacing of the story, noting that, "It’s also a narrative that has trouble maintaining an even pace, with a few characters and threads that feel left by the wayside by the story’s end". Nicole Carpenter of Polygon wrote that "Not only is the gameplay both challenging and clever (and sometimes, punishing), but the worlds are built with depth. In both its dungeons and places of reprieve, Eastward is continually worth exploring." IGN's Jon Bolding liked the art style of the game, writing, "The vibrant pixel art landscapes are so creative and so packed with detail".
