Publishing & Development
Development Studio
Disco Elysium was developed by ZA/UM, an independent studio founded by Estonian novelist Robert Kurvitz, who also served as the game's lead writer and designer.
Release Timeline
- Initial Release: October 15, 2019
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- Final Cut: Released March 30, 2021 with full voice acting and new content
Creative Team
The game features art direction by Aleksander Rostov and a haunting soundtrack by British band Sea Power. The writing team was led by Robert Kurvitz and Helen Hindpere.
Main Plot
The Setting
Disco Elysium takes place in the fictional district of Martinaise, a decaying coastal area in the city of Revachol. The world is a unique blend of post-war depression, political turmoil, and supernatural elements.
The Mystery
You play as a detective who wakes up with complete amnesia after a drug-and-alcohol-fueled bender. Your first case: solve the murder of a man hanged from a tree in the backyard of a hostel.
Character Journey
As you investigate, you must piece together not only the murder mystery but also your own identity. Through conversations with the district's residents and your own fragmented psyche, you discover who you were and who you can become.
Themes
The game explores deep themes of redemption, political ideology, personal identity, and the nature of reality itself, all while maintaining a sharp, often humorous tone.
Gameplay Features
Role-Playing System
Disco Elysium features a unique skill system divided into four categories:
- Intellect: Logic, Encyclopedia, Rhetoric, Drama
- Psyche: Volition, Inland Empire, Empathy, Authority
- Physique: Endurance, Pain Threshold, Physical Instrument
- Motorics: Hand-Eye Coordination, Perception, Reaction Speed
Dialogue-Driven Gameplay
The game is completely combat-free. All challenges are resolved through dialogue, skill checks, and exploration. Your skills literally talk to you, offering advice, warnings, and commentary.
Thought Cabinet
An innovative system where you can internalize thoughts and ideologies that permanently change your skills and worldview. These "internalized thoughts" provide both bonuses and penalties.
Political Alignment
Through your choices, you can align with various political ideologies: Communism, Fascism, Moralism, or Ultraliberalism, each affecting how characters react to you and opening unique dialogue options.
Reception & Awards
Critical Acclaim
Disco Elysium received universal critical acclaim, with particular praise for its writing, character development, and innovative RPG mechanics.
Major Awards
- The Game Awards 2019: Best Narrative, Best Independent Game, Best Role Playing Game
- BAFTA Games Awards 2020: Best Debut Game, Best Music, Narrative
- DICE Awards 2020: Role-Playing Game of the Year
- Game Developers Choice Awards: Best Narrative, Best Visual Art
Review Scores
- Metacritic: 91/100 (PC)
- OpenCritic: 92/100
- IGN: 9.6/10 - "Masterpiece"
- PC Gamer: 92/100 - "A new benchmark for RPGs"
Cultural Impact
Disco Elysium has been praised for elevating video game writing to literary levels, with many critics comparing it to the works of Dostoevsky, Pynchon, and other great novelists.