Disco Elysium was a surprise hit when it was released in 2019, largely because few players knew what to expect. It was presented as an isometric RPG, but lacked the combat mechanics typically associated with the genre. Instead, Disco Elysium focuses heavily on the inner life of its main character as he explores the fictional city of Revachol.
Though the main character of Disco Elysium is a detective, the police work he does feels largely incidental. He spends so much time reflecting on his own mortality and getting caught up in side quests that it's easy to forget he's supposed to be working. The central plot is a murder mystery, but Disco Elysium doesn't feel like a mystery game — and that might be the key to its success.
Disco Elysium: Who Am I?
The first few moments of Disco Elysium show the main character recovering from a bender so severe that he's forgotten his own name. His newly-assigned partner has to remind him that he's a detective and that they're supposed to be solving a murder. From the get-go, Disco Elysium is about far more than simply catching a killer; it's also about discovering one's own identity.
In contrast, most detective games feature a protagonist at the height of their abilities. Their competence at solving mysteries is never in question; in fact, they're often so hopelessly devoted to their profession that they'll risk life and limb in order to solve a case. This level of investment can be hard to relate to, especially if their only motivation is a personal zeal for law enforcement.
Focus On Disco Elysium's Story
Disco Elysium doesn't have a combat system, and most of the story is conveyed through text. Skills are represented as intrusive thoughts that appear when interviewing witnesses, and players must decide which of their impulses to act upon. Most of the drama in the game centers around knowing how to push someone's buttons, and the ideas the main character comes up with are often entirely wrong for the situation.
This useless mental flak is also present when trying to search for clues. Even if players find something interesting, they often need to possess the correct skills if they want to determine its significance. It's common to feel half a step ahead of Disco Elysium's detectives, which is a welcome departure from other mystery games.
Though not all detective games feature combat, many use the pursuit of clues as an excuse to move a main character from one gunfight to the next. Clues aren't usually hard to find, and the main character often determines their significance in seconds. Solving the mystery isn't an intrinsic reward, but rather a way to get to the game's other mechanics.
Personal Politics Drive the Narrative
Most of the NPCs in Disco Elysium distrust the police and are especially fearful of the main character due to his drunken antics. The attitude is more reflective of many of the conversations being had about law enforcement today. Disco Elysium doesn't glorify the Revachol Police Department: Of all the characters in the game, the protagonist is one of the least fit to be a police officer. Players are forced to grapple with their own beliefs towards law enforcement, which ultimately decides the fate of several characters.
This ambiguity sets Disco Elysium apart from other games featuring detectives/investigators, which often assume that all laws are just and that law enforcement is inherently good. Challenging those core assumptions makes Disco Elysium's story feel more true to the political reality of the real world, which is far less clear-cut.
In short, Disco Elysium is successful because it never talks down to its players. It presents a complex story that incorporates the politics of its world as well its protagonist's inner demons. The story is delivered confidently, without relying on copious violence or action-packed cutscenes to keep its audience engaged. Disco Elysium knows exactly what kind of game it is, and its refusal to be anything else is what makes it so unique.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, and Stadia. Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch versions slated for this Summer.