Esoteric Ebb

I cannot say enough good things about Esoteric Ebb, which is positively stuffed with them. Like a good mimic, it's got teeth. It is both familiar in its shape and size and astonishing in its surprising depth and riches. Do not let its appearance fool you: There is a lot more to love about this "Disco-like" than its vibrant surface and wit might initially convey.

Weaving Terry Pratchett, Terry Gilliam and more, Esoteric Ebb is a comedic D&D adventure where a waylaid Cleric is tasked with solving a crime, days before the world's first election.

If you like RPGs, you owe it to yourself to play Esoteric Ebb.

If you have been eagerly anticipating a worthy successor to Disco Elysium, Esoteric Ebb does a respectable job filling that void while offering some of its own fresh ideas.

Raw Fury's new game brings a new take on the text-based CRPG format of videogame journey.

"Esoteric Ebb is a narrative triumph and an absolute masterclass in CRPG design, comfortably standing tall in the genre's elite alongside modern legends. By masterfully converting D&D 5e mechanics into an investigative, combat-free political thriller, the game delivers an exceptionally clever and hilarious tabletop experience. The writing is nothing short of brilliant, filled with sharp political satire, rich fantasy lore, and deeply philosophical dialogue. Supported by a gorgeous isometric presentation and incredible player agency where every dice roll shapes the city's fate, Esoteric Ebb is an unforgettable, mind-bending masterpiece that no role-playing fan should pass up."

Become a legendary cleric! Be fearless, brilliant, omniscient and immortal. Roll the dice and face the consequences of your decisions. This adventure is designed for a specific group of players, who will appreciate it all the more.

Is a remarkable achievement — a solo developer’s love letter to the CRPG and tabletop traditions that creates something genuinely new from familiar inspirations. The Disco Elysium comparisons will follow it everywhere and they’re not wrong, but they’re also not the whole story. Norvik is Bodegård’s city. The Cleric is his character. The humour, the warmth, the political earnestness — these are his voice, and by the end of a playthrough they’re entirely recognisable as such. At $24.99, Esoteric Ebb offers more genuine creativity per dollar than almost any other CRPG on the market. The rough edges and occasional over-reliance on its inspirations are the honest price of a singular creative vision. For fans of Disco Elysium, Planescape: Torment, and narrative RPGs generally — this is absolutely essential. For more RPG coverage, check out our full reviews section.

While there are plenty of epic RPGs on the market, there’s never been one that has the bones of a campaign with the meat of a moron. You’ve never seen a game hilariously punishing you, in real time, for being a dink, while simultaneously urging you forward with your stupidity. It’s simultaneously serious and satirical, and both are completely genuine. The tonality, the flow and the atmosphere make this a phenomenal marathon game.

Esoteric Ebb has an incredibly cool art style, a living world I enjoy spending time in, a great and compelling story, a wonderful soundtrack and sound design, a script that is at times hysterically funny, and both a quest, level, and loot system that are excellent. If you're a CRPG fan who enjoys games like Disco Elysium and Citizen Sleeper, Esoteric Ebb is a must-play. I just wish it had the confidence to be a little more itself, and a little less a copy of Disco Elysium, because when Esoteric Ebb occasionally does step out of its inspiration and brings something entirely new to the table, the game is at its absolute best. The comparison with its big brother makes the few weaknesses here more visible. At the same time, when those weaknesses only emerge because the game is being measured against one of the greatest games ever made, Esoteric Ebb is still one of the best games of 2026 so far.