My favorite RPG of 2026 put an impossible challenge in the second room to teach you not to save scum: ‘I am your DM, trust me’
Esoteric Ebb, an RPG released in 2026, has garnered attention as a standout title for its innovative approach to discouraging save scumming—the practice of repeatedly saving and loading to achieve desired outcomes. The game places an intentionally impossible challenge in the second room, serving as a deliberate design statement to teach players that consequences matter and that they should trust the game’s vision rather than manipulate outcomes through save/load cycles.
The game’s philosophy is encapsulated in its message: “I am your DM, trust me,” positioning itself within a tabletop RPG framework where the dungeon master’s crafted experience takes precedence over player optimization. Drawing inspiration from established titles like Fallout, Esoteric Ebb incorporates familiar mechanics while developing its own identity through thoughtful failure states and meaningful consequences.
This design choice reflects a broader philosophy in game development that views challenge and failure as integral to meaningful gameplay. Rather than allowing players to perfect every encounter through technical manipulation, Esoteric Ebb communicates its expectations early and maintains consistent design principles throughout, treating player choice and narrative consequence as inviolable aspects of the experience.