Released on October 15, 2019, Disco Elysium has earned widespread acclaim, winning multiple awards – including four BAFTAs and The Game Award for Best Role-Playing Game. The German gaming outlet GameStar also named it the best RPG of 2019. Players take on the role of a washed-up detective who, after a drug- and alcohol-fueled blackout, has forgotten not just the case but even his own name. Tasked with solving a murder, he soon discovers that the investigation reaches far deeper, touching on complex social and personal themes. The story unfolds less as a crime thriller and more as a psychological drama, layered with philosophy, politics and questions of identity.
Instead of traditional RPG combat, Disco Elysium centers almost entirely on dialogue, decisions and character development. The detective’s skill set includes 24 abilities that shape his inner monologue – such as Inland Empire (intuition), Encyclopedia (factual recall) and Electrochemistry (cravings and impulses). Conversations are rich, often ambiguous and deeply impactful, influencing the entire course of the game. The open world can be explored in any order, with little emphasis on combat; what matters most is what you know, believe or uncover about yourself. Adding further depth is the “Thought Cabinet” – a system that lets you research philosophical ideas and beliefs over time, unlocking bonuses and gradually shaping your character’s identity.
Important: Disco Elysium isn’t a casual pick – it’s a dialogue-heavy, deeply layered experience for those who crave rich storytelling, enjoy reading and aren’t afraid to wrestle with morally gray choices.
Reviews: Complex and atmospheric, but best suited for players who enjoy reading
In its German review, GameStar awarded Disco Elysium an impressive 91 out of 100 points. The testers praised its richly detailed world, deep lore and layered characters, calling the atmosphere dense and compelling. They also highlighted the game’s distinctive art style and “excellent” English voice acting. Thanks to the wide range of dialogue choices, the RPG offers strong replay value. However, Disco Elysium is clearly geared toward players who enjoy reading, as the experience leans heavily on complex, text-heavy storytelling. There’s no traditional combat system, and the game can feel overwhelming due to its dense narrative and lack of handholding. It also demands patience – there’s no fast travel or quick progression mechanics.
Disco Elysium received a remarkable Metascore of 97 on Metacritic – a rating rarely seen. Players also responded positively, giving it a User Score of 8.4. On Steam, the narrative RPG has amassed over 100,000 reviews, with a “Very Positive” average rating of 93%.
90% discount on Steam
Disco Elysium usually sells for around $40 on Steam – but until July 10, it’s available for $4 with a 90% discount. According to SteamDB, this is the lowest price the game has ever seen.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.