Exploring Esoteric Ebb's Depth
Esoteric Ebb, a contender for RPG of the year, has a design philosophy that embraces player discovery and exploration. The creator, Christoffer Bodegård, believes that players only uncover about half of the game in a typical playthrough. This is by design, as he intentionally writes extensive content—approximately 700,000 words—while expecting that most of it will go unseen during regular gameplay.
During a conversation, Bodegård recounted various features and hidden quests that many players may miss, even those who invest significant time into the game. He rattled off intriguing elements, including secret locations and additional character classes that players might overlook, emphasizing that the experience varies widely.
"Did you find Lord Gorm's stash?" he asked, highlighting one of the many secrets players could easily miss. Each question revealed a new layer of content that enhances the game's depth and replayability. Bodegård stressed that the joy of playing Esoteric Ebb lies in its unpredictability. Players can have drastically different experiences, not because of mutually exclusive choices but rather due to the sheer volume of content available to explore.
While Bodegård caters to completionists—offering the possibility of achieving 100% completion in a single playthrough—he cautions that most players will likely experience only a fraction of what the game offers. He suggests that a standard playthrough should take around 10 to 30 hours, during which players are expected to miss between 40% to 60% of the game’s content.
This design choice adds a sense of scale to the game world. Bodegård articulated his belief that missing content enhances the illusion of a vast, living world. He referred to this concept as the "illusionary wall of agency," where players are given enough choices and hidden content that a slight miss can feel monumental. This creates a compelling atmosphere, one where discussions with friends about what they found can be exciting and revelatory.
Bodegård's approach echoes the hidden wonders found in games like Elden Ring, where the depth of content is only fully appreciated through exploration. Esoteric Ebb’s design fosters anticipation for future playthroughs, where players might uncover long-hidden secrets, making each return to the game feel fresh and rewarding.
As anticipation builds for Esoteric Ebb's release, the prospect of diving into a game with so many layers of content keeps players eager. The uncertainty of what lies ahead, combined with the potential for surprising discoveries, is what makes Bodegård's creation stand out in an increasingly crowded RPG landscape.