‘Esoteric Ebb’ , a CRPG (computer role-playing game) developed and designed solely by Swedish indie developer Christoffer Bodegård since 2018, is scheduled for an official PC (Steam) release on March 3rd.
The free demo, already available, has garnered a “Very Positive” rating, with 96% of 386 reviews on Steam. This explains why the game was highly anticipated even before its official release.
What a game…the worst incompetent priest and the first election.
‘Esoteric Ebb’ is an isometric CRPG inspired by the free-roaming nature of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). Players assume the role of “the world’s most incompetent priest” and uncover political intrigue in the fantasy city of Norvik.
The story begins five days before the city’s first-ever election, when a downtown teahouse explodes. The protagonist awakens in a morgue and is tasked with a case no one wants to take on.
The setting is “The Esoteric Coast,” a D&D-based setting created by the developers themselves. The world unfolds in a post-arcanepunk world where democracy and revolutionary ideology clash after the era of the Archmage Noble has ended and the gods have vanished.
In a world of upheaval where mythical monsters sell newspapers on street corners and ideologies fill the void left by dead gods, gamers become the ones who ignite the sparks of history.
The core of the game: the changes brought about by dice and choices.
The biggest features of ‘Esoteric Ebb’ are the TTRPG- style dice rolling system and the extensive branching dialogue structure.
Most situations, including conversations, investigations, and battles, depend on the outcome of the dice roll. Failure also leads to another story, enriching the narrative.
Quest Tree The Questing Tree is a unique system that combines a quest log, skill tree, and mind map into one. Completing each quest branch allows you to select a feat, which can completely change your priest’s playstyle.
There are 51 feats in total, such as using blood magic to drain your stamina, flattening odds to 2d6 instead of d20, or restoring a small amount of stamina whenever you ask someone about their political beliefs. The range of character development is wide.
The scale of content was unexpected even by the developers themselves.
The content is so substantial that even the developers have revealed it exceeded their expectations. The content is estimated to average 25-40 hours of play (over 50 hours for hardcore players).
The gameplay is flexible. You can quickly progress through the main story in an hour, or you can meticulously delve into the setting and terminology and invest over 50 hours. Every choice has consequences, and even a playthrough that completely ruins the campaign is possible.
The demo, currently available for free on Steam, allows players to experience the full first day of the main game. It includes exploring underground dungeons, engaging with urban political conflict, and uncovering clues to the teahouse explosion. Notably, the characters and choices made in the demo carry over to the main game, making it a popular choice for early gamers.
Both users and critics agree that the demo exceeded expectations.
The response to the demo released before the official launch has been explosive. On the Steam demo page , 95% of the 188 reviews received in the last 30 days are positive , and 96% of the 386 cumulative reviews received are positive , giving it a “Very Positive” rating.
PC Gamer said after playing the demo that “a Disco Elysium-inspired D&D-based RPG exceeds expectations by a wide margin.” GameSpew praised the game for its “rich world, alive with witty writing and endearing characters,” and Loot Level Chill praised it for “a stunning blend of D&D, classic fantasy, Scandinavian folklore, and a Terry Pratchett sensibility.”
Fans are brimming with anticipation within the Steam community. One user commented, “I enjoyed the demo and will definitely buy it on release day,” but expressed hope that the ending wouldn’t be so disappointing. Developer Christoffer responded directly, revealing that he’s designed a massive, dynamic epilogue where every character in the game will receive feedback on every player’s choices on election day.
‘Esoteric Ebb’ has been under development since 2018. It was developed by Sudden Snail, a one-man studio by Swedish writer and game developer Christoffer Bodegård, and will be available from 2024. We work with experts in various fields such as sound design, illustration, bug fixing, and marketing.
“Esoteric Ebb” is too ambitious to be simply defined as a “Disco Elysium-esque game.” Its post-arcanepunk world, its system embodying the randomness of tabletop RPGs, and its narrative that unfolds elections and revolutions through the eyes of an “incompetent priest” are undeniably unique.
Of course, there may still be some traces of the game’s expansion from a one-person development to a small team. The awkwardness of the ability display pointed out in the demo and the over 600-word glossary could certainly pose initial barriers to entry. However, the fact that the developer has directly responded to feedback and promised improvements, and that the highly reliable Raw Fury is publishing, are positive factors to look forward to.
The 96% positive review from the demo isn’t simply explained by genre familiarity. If you enjoy the depth of the D&D universe and the depth of CRPGs, and if a story that begins with a teahouse explosion and escalates to the fate of an entire city is appealing, then “Esoteric Ebb” is a game worth marking on your calendar for March 3rd.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2057760/Esoteric_Ebb/
