Esoteric EBB: The Legacy of Disco Elysium Was Passed On

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Victor Hidalgo, journalist and author of the Camarada Hidalgo Twitch channel (also on YouTube), observes that memories are now like static photos, no longer alive. He laments being stuck in the past, missing what he once had, while everyone else moves forward. Following ZA/UM’s dissolution and the displacement of Disco Elysium’s creators, several studios were positioned to create a successor. Red Info Ltd, led by writer Robert Kurvitz and art director Aleksander Rostov, appeared a likely candidate. Argo Tuulik, another Disco narrative writer working on Summer Eternal, was also a strong possibility. ZA/UM itself seemed close to a release, as did Longdue Games Studio and Dark Math Games, both developing projects in a similar style. The demo for Zero Parade, a project from the remnants of the original ZA/UM team, was available as well.

Esoteric Ebb distinguishes itself with a direct approach. After character point allocation, the developer interacts with the player, making jokes based on the character choices, creating an experience reminiscent of a tabletop RPG session. For example, during one playthrough, a cleric was built with 6 Intelligence and 15 Strength, which prompted the dev to tease about the challenges faced by someone so unintelligent. This is similar to the character creation in Fallout: New Vegas. Players also select character backstories, such as “Trollkiller,” which provides a Strength boost and a narrative element where the character’s father was killed by a troll. These details add depth, appearing in conversations throughout the game. Esoteric Ebb features six stats—Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma—and the distribution of points influences dialogues and dice rolls for the cleric. Magical gear and passive bonuses can mitigate negative effects. The game’s “abilities-as-voices” setup invites comparison to Disco Elysium, which demonstrated the potential of narrative-focused RPGs and inspired Esoteric Ebb. (Planescape: Torment, however, adhered to traditional RPG combat norms.)

Esoteric Ebb incorporates combat elements, setting it apart from the works that inspired Victor Hidalgo. The game features turn-based encounters, initiative rolls, and text-based fights. These encounters, such as ambushes by assassins or battles against zombies in a cemetery, are engaging. The game’s world develops a unique charm over time, even if the visuals aren’t immediately appealing, resembling a comic book come to life. Some character designs, like the drunken Sphinx, are more inspired than others. Esoteric Ebb presents a larger world than Disco Elysium, with lengthy and detailed conversations. The game offers extensive exploration, including dungeons with interactive elements. Unlike Disco Elysium, the central mystery involves identifying who blew up a tea house before an election, and the player character wakes up in a funeral home as a zombie cleric, having been murdered. The character’s god, Urth, is dead, and the player must navigate a world where people seem to have moved on. The game presents numerous questions and allows for impactful choices, including the possibility of stealing a spear from a kobold.

Post-Apocalyptic Political Tensions and Supernatural Allies in Esoteric Ebb

In the game’s opening, two hours can be spent exploring the funeral home basement. The character’s skills are in constant conflict, vying for dominance. The player also faces an election with a 50/50 outcome, choosing between liberal, communist, or fascist ideologies, each represented by different parties aligned with specific skills. One player’s choices aligned them with the Azgalists, dwarves fighting for racial equality. Esoteric Ebb includes companions, but their identities are best discovered through gameplay. The first companion, Snell from The Halfway Bridge Tribe (HWBT), joins the player during the Queen of Goblins investigation. However, Snell is revealed to be quite different from Kim Kitsuragi, and tension exists between them due to Urth’s role in a Goblin genocide. The player possesses spells and abilities for exploration, conversation, and combat, such as summoning light or communicating with animals. Zero Parade, in contrast, felt like a generic imitation of Disco Elysium, lacking originality. After an hour, it was abandoned in favor of simply playing Disco Elysium instead. As Argo Tuulik would say, “That’s how you make it disco, folks.” Esoteric Ebb’s blend of familiar elements and unique mechanics offers a distinct experience for fans of the genre.

In Case You Missed It

In our last post, we took you on a journey through indie gaming’s immersive storytelling and intricate gameplay mechanics. Ahmed Hassan recently reviewed “Esoteric Ebb”, available now for PC Esoteric Ebb, the Fantasy CRPG from Raw Fury, Now Available for PC. If you’re craving more captivating world exploration and your choices shaping the fate of your character, don’t miss Ahmed’s dive into Raw Fury’s unique blend of Arcanepunk fantasy and tabletop RPG elements. Meanwhile, Carlos Mendoza has penned an article about another thrilling RPG that merges the storytelling of Baldur’s Gate 3 with the roguelike thrills of Hades – Esoteric Ebb is set to release early next year, but you can already experience its blend of freedom and choice in its free demo available on Steam Baldur’s Gate 3 Meets Hades in This Upcoming Gem to Test for Free.