„Esoteric Ebb“ alluded to: As if Terry Pratchett wrote „Disco Elysium“
The role-playing game „Esoteric Ebb“ follows in the footsteps of „Disco Elysium“ through a strange world between fantasy and steampunk.
(Image: Raw Fury)
„Esoteric Ebb“ is the solo project of Swedish game designer Christopher Bodegard. It is an isometric role-playing game, clearly influenced by the great role models „Disco Elysium“ and „Planescape Torment“. If you want to have fun here, you should enjoy reading.
The dead live longer
The hero is called Ragn, serves as a cleric of the city and is dead – or at least you would think so, because he wakes up in a morgue. What is he doing here? Was he revived? What the hell happened? Yes, there was the search for a bicycle key, a fall into the water and then? The undertaker is shady and not too talkative. In any case, Ragn is first tasked with clarifying why the tavern exploded. What he has to do to achieve this, how he gets information – please find out for yourself.
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„Esoteric Ebb“ angespielt
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)The beginning of „Esoteric Ebb“ sets the mood for the entire game. Everything is mysterious, there are hardly any game aids. No quest marker shows Ragn the way. He has to piece everything together through conversations with goblins, elves, or orcs. Maybe it helps if he gets a demonstration permit from the city for the striking dwarves or helps the goblin queen? Even after the first conversations, it is difficult to get an overview of the upcoming tasks.
A Matter of Conscience
Ragn turns out to be a man of conscience. His character stats Strength, Wisdom, Intelligence always act as inner voices, complaining about something or, at best, giving good advice – sarcastic, pragmatic, or cynical. In addition, there are long dialogue options that promise information but can sometimes lead to ruin.
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And dice can be rolled, passively and actively. With almost every encounter and every event, a comment from the respective character stats is provoked in the background. Players should read each of these comments carefully, as they provide tips for supposedly correct behavior. An argument can be quickly provoked, and it can end fatally if luck or character stats are not enough to counter enemy attacks with sword or spell with a dice roll. A tip: Please do not start an argument with the sphinx hanging around drunk in the pub.
Almost every decision affects the character. Although players start with a character class, they are free to choose later. Their current political stance and the progress of the quests are displayed in a kind of mind map. This is both informative and confusing. Anyone expecting a typical quest overview or a standard character sheet should rethink. „Esoteric Ebb“ is simply different from the usual role-playing game competition.
More reading than in „Disco Elysium“
Apart from dialogue choices, the game concept leaves little room for interaction. Even more than in „Disco Elysium“, exploring the game world only serves as a supplement to the text. Players can click on a few items, learn their spells at shrines, or simply wander around. Visually, this resembles Franco-Belgian comics, but for the actual gameplay, at least in our playtesting hours, it is almost useless. „Esoteric Ebb“ is essentially a gamebook with pretty pictures.
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The appeal of the game actually develops between the lines. It deals with the usual power struggles, but also with revolution, corruption, and social upheaval. Similar to Terry Pratchett's „Discworld“ novels, clichés about noble knights and wizards are turned upside down. There are wonderful supporting characters. For example, right at the beginning, you meet a grumpy goblin who accompanies the hero on his mission. The aforementioned sphinx poses riddles to us, and a seemingly depressed, undead (?) knight laments his adventures in the underworld.
What makes „Esoteric Ebb“ different is also its biggest hurdle. The sometimes demanding texts are only available in English, and interaction with the game world feels more like a reluctant duty than a meaningful game element. All of this requires patience and a great deal of curiosity. „Esoteric Ebb“ does not hold players by the hand, but lets them explore the strange world on their own. Such an unusual and idiosyncratic role-playing trip.
Interim Conclusion
Quirky, bizarre, idiosyncratic – „Esoteric Ebb“ feels like Terry Pratchett wrote the indie hit „Disco Elysium“ after extensively playing „Planescape Torment“. A good command of the English language is a must for the long dialogues, otherwise players will miss out on subtleties and jabs at culture, politics, and genre. If it weren't for the clear similarities to „Disco Elysium“, one could speak of a milestone in video game history. As it is, it remains a very good role-playing game based on a great role model with a lot of freedom and bizarre episodes, which is especially recommended for players with a lot of patience and a love for reading.
„Esoteric Ebb“ is available for Windows. It costs approx. €25. USK not rated.
(dmk)
