Esoteric Ebb: A Tabletop-Style CRPG Where Your Inner Voices Roll the Dice

Introduction: A Unique Blend of Narrative and Chance

In the crowded world of computer role-playing games (CRPGs), standing out requires more than just a fantasy setting or a deep skill tree. Esoteric Ebb, a new title from developer Christoffer Bodegård, does exactly that by merging the introspective, voice-driven storytelling of Disco Elysium with the unpredictable dice mechanics of Dungeons & Dragons. The result is a game that feels less like a polished video game and more like a tabletop session with a gifted Dungeon Master, where every roll carries weight and every internal debate shapes events.

Set in a small, troubled town, you play as a cleric whose investigation into a mysterious explosion at a local tea shop quickly spirals into an exploration of fractured identity and supernatural forces. But unlike typical RPGs, the core gameplay doesn't revolve around combat or exploration—it revolves around conversation, internal conflict, and, crucially, the luck of the dice.

A Familiar Yet Fresh Premise

The Influence of Inner Voices

If you've played Disco Elysium, the setup will feel immediately recognizable. The world is viewed from an isometric, top-down perspective, and the primary interaction is through text-heavy dialogues. Your cleric's mind is host to a chorus of character traits—such as Ambition, Anxiety, and Faith—each with their own personality and agenda. These voices constantly chime in, offering conflicting advice, emotional commentary, and unexpected insights. You must weigh their opinions and decide which to follow, knowing that each choice can alter your perception of events or unlock new paths.

The Mystery of the Exploding Tea Shop

The central plot revolves around the explosion of a tea shop—a seemingly mundane event that conceals deeper layers of mystery. As you interview townsfolk, examine clues, and consult your inner voices, the story expands into themes of loss, faith, and hidden powers. The writing is dense and literary, reminiscent of Disco Elysium, but with a fantasy lens that incorporates classic D&D elements like clerics, divine magic, and a hint of cosmic horror. The game rewards careful reading and thoughtful decision-making, but it also introduces an element that traditional narrative-focused CRPGs often lack: randomness.

Rolling the Dice – With a Great DM

The title of this article hints at a crucial difference: Esoteric Ebb integrates dice rolls directly into its dialogue and investigation systems. Much like a tabletop session, you'll roll to persuade a skeptic, resist a paranoid thought, or decipher a cryptic clue. The dice don't just determine success or failure—they introduce dramatic tension, unexpected twists, and moments of sheer luck. A great Dungeon Master knows how to turn a bad roll into a memorable story, and Bodegård has designed the game to emulate that spontaneity.

When you roll a critical success, your inner voices cheer and the world yields secrets. When you roll a failure, the voices squabble, you misinterpret evidence, or a situation takes a darker turn. This unpredictability transforms passive reading into an active, tense experience. You can't simply choose the “correct” dialogue option; you have to gamble on your abilities. It's a refreshing departure from the deterministic nature of many story-driven RPGs, where the only obstacle is choosing the right line of text.

How Dice Replace Traditional Choices

In most CRPGs, dialogue trees are static: you pick option A or B, and the story branches accordingly. Here, the dice act as a filter between intention and outcome. You might decide to use your Logic trait to deduce the truth, but a low roll could leave you grasping at straws. This forces you to think strategically about which trait to invoke, given its current skill level and the difficulty of the task. It also means that no two playthroughs are alike—your cleric's personality and luck shape a unique narrative each time.

Who Is Esoteric Ebb For?

Esoteric Ebb is not a game for everyone. It demands patience for extensive reading and a willingness to embrace failure as part of the story. Fans of Disco Elysium who wished the game had a bit more randomness and replayability will find a kindred spirit here. Likewise, tabletop RPG enthusiasts who enjoy the thrill of dice rolls and the improvisation they prompt will appreciate the system. However, those seeking fast-paced action or clear heroics may be disappointed—the game is contemplative, slow-burning, and deeply introspective.

At its best, Esoteric Ebb captures the magic of a great tabletop session: the surprise of a natural 20, the shared laughter over a botched roll, the way randomness can twist a story into something you never expected. It's a testament to the idea that video games can still learn from their analog roots, and a reminder that sometimes the most engaging stories are the ones where you don't have full control.

Note: This article is adapted from a review originally published at The Verge.