The North Sea just got a whole lot darker. Inspector Schmidt – The Ebbing, the follow-up to A Bavarian Tale, is officially out now on Steam, and it’s bringing murder, mystery, and moody coastal vibes with it. Developed by Munich-based indie team Active Fungus Studios, this narrative-driven detective RPG drops players into the shoes of Officer Valentin Schmidt as he trades the Bavarian countryside for a seaside village wrapped in secrets.
Set in 1870 in the fictional North German town of Havstedt, The Ebbing kicks off with a brutal murder that shakes the close-knit community. What starts as a quiet getaway quickly turns into a full-blown investigation, and Schmidt is once again knee-deep in lies, tension, and tangled motives. If you love dialogue-heavy games, sneaky detective work, and twisting storylines, this one’s right up your alley.
What’s New This Time Around?
The stealth mechanics from the first game have been totally overhauled, and there’s a fresh lineup of logic, visual, and combination puzzles to keep you thinking. Dialogue takes center stage again, with quirky characters, branching paths, and multiple endings based on your choices and skills. Players can freely explore Havstedt, investigate crime scenes using Detective Mode, and sneak into off-limits areas without getting caught.
There’s even a dice-roll system for skill checks, giving it a classic tabletop RPG feel. Leveling up lets you fine-tune Schmidt’s abilities, and crafting lets you build gear to help on your investigation. And for added immersion, the game features authentic northern German dialects—with English subtitles and voiceovers for international players.
Key Features:
- Explore an open-world 1870s coastal town
- Solve puzzles and uncover hidden clues
- Engage in meaningful dialogue and interrogations
- Use stealth to access restricted areas
- Make decisions that shape the outcome of the case
Inspector Schmidt – The Ebbing is available now on PC via Steam, priced at $19.99 / €19.99. If you’re quick, you can grab it at a 10% discount until April 14.