Disco Elysium is a groundbreaking role-playing game (RPG) developed by ZA/UM, blending deep storytelling, psychological exploration, and an innovative skill system. Players take on the role of a troubled detective navigating the decaying city of Revachol, solving a murder case while confronting his fractured psyche. With no combat mechanics, the game emphasizes dialogue, choices, and character development, offering an unparalleled interactive narrative experience.
Introduction
Released in 2019, Disco Elysium redefined the RPG genre with its unique approach to storytelling, character progression, and world-building. Developed by the Estonian studio ZA/UM, the game presents an open-ended detective story set in a richly detailed, dystopian world filled with political turmoil, philosophical depth, and dark humor.
Players control an amnesiac detective who wakes up in a trashed hotel room with no recollection of his past. Tasked with solving a murder mystery in the city of Revachol, he must navigate personal demons, political ideologies, and an intricate web of characters. The game’s deep role-playing mechanics allow for a variety of playstyles, from a hard-nosed investigator to a self-destructive hedonist.
Gameplay and Mechanics
1. Dialogue-Driven Role-Playing
Unlike traditional RPGs that rely on combat, Disco Elysium is entirely dialogue-driven. Players interact with the world and its characters through extensive branching dialogue trees, making choices that shape the protagonist’s personality and the story’s outcome.
The dialogue is influenced by the protagonist’s internal voices, representing different aspects of his psyche, such as Logic, Empathy, and Authority. These voices guide or mislead the player, adding layers of depth to decision-making.
2. The Thought Cabinet
One of the game’s most unique mechanics is the “Thought Cabinet,” where the protagonist can internalize various thoughts that shape his worldview. These thoughts affect gameplay by unlocking new dialogue options, altering skill bonuses, or even introducing negative effects.
For example, internalizing the thought “Apocalypse Cop” will make the protagonist increasingly obsessed with doom and destruction, affecting how he interacts with others.
3. Skill System
The game features 24 distinct skills divided into four categories:
- Intellect (e.g., Logic, Rhetoric)
- Psyche (e.g., Empathy, Suggestion)
- Physique (e.g., Endurance, Pain Threshold)
- Motorics (e.g., Hand-Eye Coordination, Perception)
Each skill represents a personality trait or physical ability, and higher skill levels unlock unique interactions. However, over-reliance on certain skills can backfire; for instance, a high Drama skill might make the protagonist overly theatrical to the point of absurdity.
The Story and Setting
1. Revachol: A City in Ruins
Revachol, the setting of Disco Elysium, is a city recovering from a failed communist revolution, now ruled by capitalist powers. The world is filled with remnants of the past, from dilapidated buildings to characters who still cling to old ideologies.
The city’s different districts—such as the war-torn Martinaise and the wealthy precincts—reflect its social divide, making Revachol one of the most immersive and politically complex settings in video game history.
2. The Murder Mystery
The central plot revolves around a dead body hanging from a tree behind a hostel. As the detective, the player must investigate this murder with the help of Lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi, an intelligent and pragmatic officer who serves as the player’s moral compass.
The investigation is nonlinear, allowing multiple approaches. Players can follow leads, interrogate suspects, examine clues, or even let their own biases shape the case’s resolution.
3. Political Themes and Player Choice
The game explores deep political themes, allowing the protagonist to develop different ideological stances. Players can lean towards:
- Communism – Advocating for workers and revolution.
- Fascism – Emphasizing nationalism and rigid hierarchies.
- Ultraliberalism – Worshipping capitalism and self-interest.
- Moralism – Taking a neutral, detached stance.
Each ideology influences interactions with NPCs and how the world reacts to the protagonist.
Characters and Writing
1. The Protagonist
The protagonist is a deeply flawed, self-destructive detective struggling with alcoholism and drug abuse. Players can shape his personality, deciding whether to redeem him or sink deeper into his vices.
2. Kim Kitsuragi
Kim serves as the player’s partner and emotional anchor. His calm demeanor contrasts with the protagonist’s chaotic nature, making him one of the most beloved characters in the game.
3. Other Key Characters
- Evrart Claire – A corrupt union boss with hidden motives.
- Measurehead – A racist dockworker obsessed with pseudo-intellectual theories.
- Cuno – A foul-mouthed street kid with a tragic backstory.
- Joyce Messier – A corporate negotiator representing outside interests in Revachol.
Each character has depth and complexity, making them feel like real people rather than just quest-givers.
Art, Music, and Atmosphere
1. Visual Design
The game’s art style, inspired by oil paintings, creates a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere. The muted color palette and hand-drawn environments enhance the melancholic tone of the story.
2. Soundtrack
The soundtrack, composed by British band British Sea Power, complements the game’s tone with hauntingly beautiful melodies. The music shifts between melancholic piano pieces and tense, ambient tracks, heightening the emotional weight of the story.
3. Voice Acting
The Final Cut edition of the game introduced full voice acting, bringing its diverse characters to life. The voice performances add further immersion to an already rich narrative experience.
Themes and Symbolism
1. Identity and Self-Destruction
The protagonist’s journey is one of self-discovery. Players can either help him rebuild his sense of self or succumb to nihilism and despair. His battle with addiction serves as a metaphor for larger existential struggles.
2. Political and Social Commentary
The game doesn’t shy away from tackling difficult topics such as poverty, systemic oppression, and the failure of ideologies. It presents no clear “right” answers, forcing players to engage with complex social issues.
3. Existentialism and Philosophy
Disco Elysium is heavily influenced by existentialist philosophy, particularly the works of Sartre and Camus. The protagonist constantly questions his purpose and the meaning of his actions.
Legacy and Impact
1. Critical Reception
Disco Elysium received widespread critical acclaim, winning multiple awards, including:
- Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2019
- Best Independent Game at The Game Awards 2019
- Multiple BAFTA awards, including Best Game
Critics praised its innovative RPG mechanics, deep storytelling, and philosophical themes, often comparing it to classic CRPGs like Planescape: Torment.
2. Influence on the RPG Genre
The game set a new standard for storytelling in RPGs, inspiring other developers to experiment with dialogue-driven mechanics and player agency.
3. The Final Cut and Future of ZA/UM
In 2021, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was released, adding full voice acting, new political quests, and additional content. However, internal conflicts within ZA/UM have cast uncertainty over the studio’s future projects.
Conclusion
Disco Elysium is more than just a game—it’s an artistic and philosophical experience that challenges traditional RPG conventions. With its rich storytelling, deep character development, and thought-provoking themes, it remains one of the most impactful narrative-driven games of all time. Whether players choose to solve the case, embrace chaos, or simply explore Revachol’s broken world, Disco Elysium ensures an unforgettable journey.