Disco Elysium was developed by ZA/UM and released in 2019. The game was influenced by games from the Infinity Engine era, specifically Planescape: Torment. Estonian novelist Robert Kurvitz was responsible for writing and designing the game, which boasts a unique oil painting art style.

Gameplay

Disco Elysium is a video game that involves role-playing and gameplay mechanics that focus heavily on dialogue. The game is set in an open world and is presented in an isometric perspective where the player controls the character. The player takes on the role of a detective who suffers from amnesia caused by alcohol and drugs while working on a murder case. The player can move the detective around the screen to interact with NPCs, highlighted objects, or move to other screens. The game provides an opportunity for the player to gain a partner, Kim Kitsuragi, who is another detective and acts as a voice of professionalism, offering advice or support in some dialogue options. Additionally, other NPCs may become temporary companions and provide similar support to the player’s group.

Story

The story is set in the present century, specifically in the year ’51, which is considered the most modern era in the setting. The land of Elysium is composed of isolated masses of land and sea, known as “isolas,” that are separated by the Pale. The Pale is a mysterious and misty “connective tissue” where the laws of reality are distorted, and prolonged exposure to it can lead to mental instability and even death. The Pale is traversed mainly through aerostatics, and due to the danger, it is heavily regulated.

Upon starting the game, the protagonist finds himself in a disheveled hostel room in Martinaise, suffering from a bad hangover and unable to remember who he is. Lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi approaches him and reveals that they have been tasked with looking into the death of a man who was hung in a vacant lot behind the hostel. The victim’s identity is unknown, but evidence suggests that he was the victim of a lynching carried out by a group of individuals.

How long is Disco Elysium?

When it comes to the primary goals, Disco Elysium has a duration of approximately 23 hours. For gamers who aim to explore all facets of the game, it would take around 45 hours to achieve 100% completion.

Reception

Disco Elysium received universal acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its depth, freedom, customization, and storytelling and was compared to Red Dead Redemption and The Witcher 3.

In just six months after its release, Disco Elysium earned a profit of €6.7 million from its sales.