Esoteric Ebb

No prior CRPG required — Esoteric Ebb's bickering-ability-scores dialogue runs lighter than Disco Elysium's text density. PC Gamer notes the 100% recommend across 42 critics holds independent of franchise familiarity. The Pratchett/Gilliam comedic anchoring also makes it more accessible to newcomers. Save Disco Elysium for after if you want a darker companion piece.

Source: PC Gamer review

Around 10–12 hours for the cleric-investigation arc, with no DLC or post-game extension. Tight pacing keeps the story together without filler — closer to a Pratchett novella than a 50-hour RPG. Multiple endings reward a second playthrough at roughly 8 hours each, since different ability-score loadouts unlock different dialogue branches.

Source: GameSpot review

Your six ability scores (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Cha) literally argue with each other in voiced dialogue. When you choose a response, the stat that won the internal argument is highlighted, revealing which trait drove your choice. It's a comedic Disco-Elysium-style externalization of decision-making — Eurogamer cites the Terry Pratchett and Terry Gilliam influence for the bickering shape.

Source: Eurogamer review

Light by CRPG standards — most encounters resolve through dialogue and ability checks rather than turn-based combat. Hardcore Gamer notes Raw Fury's text-based CRPG format leans into writing over mechanics. If you want Baldur's Gate 3-tier tactical combat, Esoteric Ebb won't satisfy; if you loved Disco Elysium's dialogue-as-combat approach, you're home.

Source: Hardcore Gamer review

At 100% critic recommend across 42 reviews and a $19 Steam price, the per-hour math is favorable for the 10-12 hour runtime. PC Gamer's 90/100 verdict explicitly tells RPG fans to play it. DualShockers (9/10) recommends it for D&D fans wanting solid writing. Skip only if you bounce off dialogue-first CRPGs without combat-as-progression loops.

Source: PC Gamer review