So I just bought Esoteric Ebb and this came up on my home page. I'm honestly conflicted by the whole thing. Disco Elesium was a massive part of Lockdown for me and had a major impact on how I...
So I just bought Esoteric Ebb and this came up on my home page.
I'm honestly conflicted by the whole thing. Disco Elesium was a massive part of Lockdown for me and had a major impact on how I approach characters and writing in general.
Given all the "complications" and toxicity behind the scenes, its feels difficult to get excited for this project. Similar case for Subnautica 2 and GTA 6. I'll probably keep it in my radar, just incase there are positive behind-the-scenes developments.
As for the game, a little suspect of trailers leaning on concept art. Especially with a 2026 release date. I'd expect either a full pre-render announcement or to show of new gameplay, systems and writing. New character looks interesting but I think they need a "straight man" to play off against. Kim was perfrct for the first game but I sustect the character here is more... sane. Also seems to be a harder lean on the worlds technology and "applied politics". I suspect they are dipping into grey areas.
The fist game painted its themes through extremes. Racism exemplified in the hulking Measurehead and unremarkable truck driver. Organizational corruption in the overtly shady union boss and presentable executive. The articulate, professional scab and riff raff dock workers. Cuno. Cuno can go ****************. Madness through Harry and all the degrees others are irrational (bookstore owner, gun thief, mercs with PTSD...).
That game was lightning in a bottle, especially in the middle of the "games are too political" phase of the whole culture war slog.
Though, I do like the main character design and some of the new Pentagon motifs. Also a spy story is perfect for this style and it would be interesting to manage the interests of larger powers.
I share your reservations. There have now been two documentaries chronicling Disco Elysium's development and we (as fans of the game) still cannot be certain the whole story has been revealed....
I share your reservations. There have now been two documentaries chronicling Disco Elysium's development and we (as fans of the game) still cannot be certain the whole story has been revealed. What has come to light has painted a fittingly ironic story of corporate greed, internal politics, and abuses of worker's rights. The original developers of the game, ousted during an ugly power grab by the game's investors, are even now prevented from revealing crucial details regarding ZA/UM's restructuring--the OG devs are currently in a legal battle over the rights of the original IP itself.
This is why Zero Parades For Dead Spies will be so interesting to watch. Are there enough passionate game developers left at ZA/UM who are genuinely invested in making a great RPG? Or will their work be overshadowed by executives interested in capitalizing on the success of lightning-in-a-bottle, as you described it? I will advocate for any reading this to not support ZA/UM, as it is in its current iteration, and instead consider pirating the game if it piques your interest.
There's a "punch cuno" speed run category. Current top is sub 55sec. Here's the second place since first involves blinding the screen, robbing us of seeing The Punch....
Cuno can go ****************.
There's a "punch cuno" speed run category. Current top is sub 55sec. Here's the second place since first involves blinding the screen, robbing us of seeing The Punch.
There's not much in the way of any% Disco speedruns since they patched out the "max all stats" glitch, but the progress for punching Cuno has been impressive. Someday maybe I'll attempt to route a...
There's not much in the way of any% Disco speedruns since they patched out the "max all stats" glitch, but the progress for punching Cuno has been impressive. Someday maybe I'll attempt to route a new any% glitchless somehow...
So I just bought Esoteric Ebb and this came up on my home page.
I'm honestly conflicted by the whole thing. Disco Elesium was a massive part of Lockdown for me and had a major impact on how I approach characters and writing in general.
Given all the "complications" and toxicity behind the scenes, its feels difficult to get excited for this project. Similar case for Subnautica 2 and GTA 6. I'll probably keep it in my radar, just incase there are positive behind-the-scenes developments.
As for the game, a little suspect of trailers leaning on concept art. Especially with a 2026 release date. I'd expect either a full pre-render announcement or to show of new gameplay, systems and writing. New character looks interesting but I think they need a "straight man" to play off against. Kim was perfrct for the first game but I sustect the character here is more... sane. Also seems to be a harder lean on the worlds technology and "applied politics". I suspect they are dipping into grey areas.
The fist game painted its themes through extremes. Racism exemplified in the hulking Measurehead and unremarkable truck driver. Organizational corruption in the overtly shady union boss and presentable executive. The articulate, professional scab and riff raff dock workers. Cuno. Cuno can go ****************. Madness through Harry and all the degrees others are irrational (bookstore owner, gun thief, mercs with PTSD...).
That game was lightning in a bottle, especially in the middle of the "games are too political" phase of the whole culture war slog.
Though, I do like the main character design and some of the new Pentagon motifs. Also a spy story is perfect for this style and it would be interesting to manage the interests of larger powers.
I share your reservations. There have now been two documentaries chronicling Disco Elysium's development and we (as fans of the game) still cannot be certain the whole story has been revealed. What has come to light has painted a fittingly ironic story of corporate greed, internal politics, and abuses of worker's rights. The original developers of the game, ousted during an ugly power grab by the game's investors, are even now prevented from revealing crucial details regarding ZA/UM's restructuring--the OG devs are currently in a legal battle over the rights of the original IP itself.
This is why Zero Parades For Dead Spies will be so interesting to watch. Are there enough passionate game developers left at ZA/UM who are genuinely invested in making a great RPG? Or will their work be overshadowed by executives interested in capitalizing on the success of lightning-in-a-bottle, as you described it? I will advocate for any reading this to not support ZA/UM, as it is in its current iteration, and instead consider pirating the game if it piques your interest.
There's a "punch cuno" speed run category. Current top is sub 55sec. Here's the second place since first involves blinding the screen, robbing us of seeing The Punch.
https://www.speedrun.com/disco_elysium/runs/m3kw7dwy
There's not much in the way of any% Disco speedruns since they patched out the "max all stats" glitch, but the progress for punching Cuno has been impressive. Someday maybe I'll attempt to route a new any% glitchless somehow...
Esoteric Ebb is great so far, but damn, do I ever miss having Disco quality voiceovers. It's a loooot of text
Hopefully, like Disco did, they earn enough to add them in a patch.