When an investigator wakes up surrounded by empty bottles in a hotel room, a criminal myth has trained him to fill the gaps with all kinds of problems – drug abuse, egomania, heartburn. Because Disco Elysium incorporates some of these familiar elements, it has fooled me into thinking that I was in a familiar narrative environment. I wasn't there. As the hours went on, this investigative RPG surprised and delighted me in almost every opportunity with its complex world, fantastic dialogue, and the ability to convey a constant fight over the warring aspects of his mind.
Both as a person and as an investigator, the man leading Disco Elysium is a disaster – but deciding exactly what kind of disaster is at the heart of this mystery, of story-driven murder. Are you a burning garbage fire? The false prophet of the apocalypse? The answer comes a bit as you look for clues in the fictional city of Revachol, making decisions during interviews and screenings that give you a clear picture of what an old man has become. Maybe you choose to call yourself a "superstar cop" while playing a black line that you can't press. Maybe you shed a tear while telling a lady to wear a hat. Maybe you're dealing with a sad karaoke song despite your best efforts. The sharp transcript of an exchange like this has made me laugh a lot, and the game does a fantastic job of remembering and rewriting your previous actions – even seemingly insignificant things – that creates a sense of repetition and incredible consistency with a few games.
What is most impressive is how much of the problem is being internalized, by your character's thoughts. This is done to achieve the Disco Elysium crown: 24 distinct personality traits that represent your mind and body, each of which you can simultaneously exchange conversation that inspires, gives you direction, or rides. Although they are a part of you, these structures also feel like they have different characters fighting for control, with different purposes and ways of speaking; The Physical Tool is always eager for violence, the Authority wants to clarify the rule, and the Drama always calls it a “whistle.” Depending on how you want to play, you can count on some interference from others, and their entry always creates the impression that your character always touches the edge of sanity.
Since Disco Elysium lacks martial arts, your successes and failures in the investigation are determined by a dice test that is integrated into each human element, with a higher probability of passing if you invest in skill points in the right place. The concept is neat, but it feels very conflicted in practice. With 24 different features available and no way of knowing which ones will help you in the future, the process of using your skill points is a simple one. For example, if you neglect to be rehabilitated at the earliest times, you will decline when you start talking to the victim's body and it fails to cont inue. You can try a check again after scoring some points in Defense, but getting those points takes time, and it's not guaranteed success. So, even though the game seems to incorporate the "play how you want" philosophy, it also withholds important and better moments if you don't invest in certain ways – or save and reload to compress certain checks – which is disappointing.
Although there are some problems behind the curtain, the unique world in front of you at Disco Elysium feels magical. Even though the sliver of Revachol you are exploring is small, its history feels as big as a bizarre epic story. People tell you about lost wars, major events, and precise statistics. Attention to detail creates a fun atmosphere that still feels present; a damp rope travels through all of this, but the city is cold and desolate, and the people in it show it well. I especially need to praise Lt. Kim Kitsuragi, who is a great character character and the perfect foil for the protagonist & # 39; s chaos of infulses.
A few moments of frustration is not enough to reduce the Disco Elysium light. Trying to contain your glamorous "hero" tragedy can be both funny and frightening, and that's before you even consider the events of the crime surrounding him. I will not spoil any major hits, but mid-level mystery is easily possible, with new layers and problems rolling at the right time. Again, the payment is satisfying and surprising. The ZA / UM developer team only allows you to spend a few days of the game as part of the Disco Elysium world, but now that the case is closed, I hope I can report that I will work again in the future.
