kisui is Reviewing Esoteric Ebb
Well, I know, not so quickfire, but quick enough, no? And this is because I finished 1 more game and I tried 1 other, so another 2 posts along the way!
For the third game in this row, it's Esoteric Ebb. This one is half cRPG, half point-and-click detective game. It is heavily inspired by games like Disco Elysium and Planescape Torment. Basically, you are playing as a cleric-investigator in a fantasy setting that has mathematics of an RPG. And if you read my previous review or play Baldur's Gate 3, you would find a similarities in the system. This is because it takes some mechanic from Dungeon & Dragons too! Especially the 5e system. But no worries, this is not a tactical combat game. While there are some combat, this game is heavily about investigation (That's why it is in a bundle with Seance of Blake Manor).
Before I get into deep review, I believe this is a great game. The gameplay is almost like Disco Elysium but with more on fantasy takes (you have magic)! Since it's D&D based, you could feel the fantasy side but on the opposite side of Baldur's Gate 3. If Baldur's Gate is about heroic journey, this one feels more like the warmth evening playing D&D with your friends.
While I could definitely gives this game a great score, once again I must remind you that this game is inspired by D&D 5e system, there will be lots of dice roll and there will be lots of fail which can be frustrating. But for those who loves Disco Elysium and D&D, I would definitely recommend it. It's not a high production masterpiece like Baldur's Gate 3. This is a game that knows it's limitation and uses it as its strength. Not a triple A games, but a game worth to buy nevertheless.
I bought it on a bundle and on additional 20% discount. So what cost around IDR 200k (USD12) became something more IDR 120k (USD8). For 12-15 hours replayable gameplay, the game gives a good price point. Recommended to all kind of gamers especially story lovers but it is reading heavy, so if you are a hardcore action gamer, this game is not really for you (but still worth to try if you think you can bear it).
Heavier Gameplay and Story Spoiler Below
As usual let's begin with the gameplay. It is a point and click investigation story, with dice roll and attributes. Your character have attribute like Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and etc. Using those, you would get bonus to your dice roll. So you might fail your investigation if you fail your dice checks. Using equipments, feats and level up, you might get help to shift the probability in your odds. What's more the game implement spells from D&D, you have a wide array of spells that you can use in some situation and even auto-success some checks and events. What's make this game brilliant is they take all the good parts of D&D system and implement it perfectly in the narrative. What D&D limits for balance reason, this game punch through those limit to give a great narrative. In this game, you played a coughs cleric coughs (I'll explain later). In D&D, this limits you to divine spells (which mostly on buffs and healing and some damages). But in this game you are a cleric who carries a spellbook and can learn arcane spell like a Wizard! Are you a special snowflake? Yes, but you are a fun special snowflake! I am always a major supporter of meta supporting a narrative. Your spells here is not just a spell damage, it shapes the world and story according to your ingenuity.
As investigative gameplay, it is a bit similar with Seance of Blake Manor. You have 5 days investigation limit (including rest time), but it is not real time and time only moves when doing actions. There are plenty of NPC in the story most has very-very long things to say about the plot and the world which is very wonderful if you like narrative and world building, but at the same time cost you a major amount of "time resource" (and again reading attention). But I managed to finish the game in 4,5 in-game days, even after exhausting all my investigation point, choosing every dialogue branches, and retrying due to failed dice checks. I did try to optimize time by playing around the rest system, but the game gives you enough leeway as long as you stay focused on investigation (still can play around for fun a bit and finish all the side quests).
Mystery gameplay side-wise, the game is a bit railroaded, there are slight freedom on how to approach but most path ended up early on the same main road. While it is not something to be applauded of, the delivery is good enough for this not to be a problem. Again, this is a game that knows about its limitation and not trying to do more just for the sake of more.
Now, as it is a heavy story game, let's talk about the writing. The game requires heavy reading, a really heavy reading. It has unique world and a codex entry for everything, especially it's world building. The game also contains 6 different personified attribute as inner monologue, that will talk and explain things to you with different personality and even bicker in you head. The game is also heavy on fantasy lore and even political system in fantasy world. The world itself is high magic high fantasy, a place where various races like orcs, elves, dwarves, and goblins live together under various monarchy and dictatorship. But a major historical event is happening, the game is shifting from inherited leadership to democracy by voting! The game leans heavily into that, how a person life from peasants to adventurers to heroes experience change in political system, how they feel about and how it effects their lives. A rare take to fantasy fiction. Each NPC is unique, have interesting personality and conversation style, some will last in your memories for a long time. Unlike Baldur's gate, I found the writing manages to highlight the NPC more. But the political talk definitely doesn't bar the game from exploring a magical world where Angels lives among us and Eldritch beings live in the sewer.
The game also lets you develop your character by your own choice, even if your background is a cleric, it lets you accept or deny it! You can identify as a wizard who are planning to rule the world or even a barbarian who cast magical spells. You could even choose your political affiliation. All of which will be reflected into the dialogues and the writings. Even with all the clerical powers, you are still who you choose, someone belonging in a certain group or trying to understand it all.
What's more the writing bring the warmth of a D&D session. D&D is about heroes slaying dragons and stopping cultists. But a D&D session is about the journey. How the bard flirts with enemy because the devil is sexy. How the barbarian fails to open the door because it is supposed to be pulled not pushed. How the rogue fails the sneak because they slips on a banana peel. The game manages to encapsulate all the lighthearted moment, the funny faux pas, the critical fail, and emphasizes on it. It makes a story how a derpy underdog managed to save the world with the power of heroic journey, camaraderie, and persistence. It is not a masterpiece classic, but it is a warm and joyful journey from start to its cathartic finish.
Lastly, the art and the music. The music is decent but I didn't find anything special, nothing bad but nothing out of extraordinary. A fitting BGM for every moment. The art style is comic meet painterly style. It uses bold and contrasting color that makes investigation easier, due to not needing pixel search. Each named NPC is drawn with unique design and portrait that highlights their personality. The world and environment is effective and beautiful but I find the main highlights are in the characters, I would love on seeing the more, especially in the hinted sequel (might or might not be).
For a game made by smaller indie studio, the game deliver great experience within its world. A warm but exciting journey from start to finish. It won't makes your heart beats like a lot of AAA game, but it will makes your heart warms like a nice evening hot chocolate. A perfectly comfortable game. A game I recommend everyone who likes story rich text based genre to try it.