EDIT: Do not buy this game, the publisher is deeply unethical. Sail the seven seas instead.

Disco Elysium is simultaneously one of the best games I've ever played and one of the finest works of literature I've ever read.

There are a lot of reviews that say things like "Obviously this isn't for everybody..." or "More of a book than a game." I strongly disagree with both sentiments. This had to be a game. The sense of vulnerability that a bad dice roll can give you is essential to the experience. The sheer psychology of your character statistics is...beautiful. Compelling. Horrible. The day/night cycle, the choice of which NPC to pursue, the environment rich with hidden treasures...no, this had to be a game.

In fact, after playing this, I am willing to reject the whole distinction between literature and game. This is one of the grandest and most human narratives I have ever experienced. Through satire, impressive vocal performance and the occasional breathtaking glimpse of sincere belief, you are invited into Revachol. You might fall in quickly or you might take a while to get comfortable and skirt the edges, but eventually the story will have you in its clutches.

It's a story about ideology, about hard choices, about empathy. A story about the human will and the human condition, the bittersweet joys of life and the harrowing grasp of our history and our future. It's a story about the forces that govern our lives and the world that we find ourselves in, about the lies we tell ourselves and the truths we can't escape. It's a story that has inspired thousands of people to try and put into words the effect the story had on them - scroll through the reviews, you'll see for yourself.

This is a story that has effortlessly shaped how I see the world. It got me to look at what I believe in a new way. It is a story that I think made me a better person. And it is a story that I got to play.

Experiences like this don't come along that often. I honestly think that this game is one of the most profound steps that video games have taken, ever. It is art and entertainment and education all rolled together and I am humbled that I got to play it. I could not recommend this more. If you're not used to reading, take your time - but make the effort. It is worth it.

(And Kim Kitsuragi is one of the greatest characters of all time.)

EDIT: Do not buy this game, the publisher is deeply unethical. Sail the seven seas instead. Disco Elysium is simultaneously one of the best games I've ever played and one of the finest works of literature I've ever read. There are a lot of reviews that say things like "Obviously this isn't for everybody..." or "More of a book than a game." I strongly disagree with both sentiments. This had to be a game. The sense of vulnerability that a bad dice roll can give you is essential to the experience. The sheer psychology of your character statistics is...beautiful. Compelling. Horrible. The day/night cycle, the choice of which NPC to pursue, the environment rich with hidden treasures...no, this had to be a game. In fact, after playing this, I am willing to reject the whole distinction between literature and game. This is one of the grandest and most human narratives I have ever experienced. Through satire, impressive vocal performance and the occasional breathtaking glimpse of sincere belief, you are invited into Revachol. You might fall in quickly or you might take a while to get comfortable and skirt the edges, but eventually the story will have you in its clutches. It's a story about ideology, about hard choices, about empathy. A story about the human will and the human condition, the bittersweet joys of life and the harrowing grasp of our history and our future. It's a story about the forces that govern our lives and the world that we find ourselves in, about the lies we tell ourselves and the truths we can't escape. It's a story that has inspired thousands of people to try and put into words the effect the story had on them - scroll through the reviews, you'll see for yourself. This is a story that has effortlessly shaped how I see the world. It got me to look at what I believe in a new way. It is a story that I think made me a better person. And it is a story that I got to [i] play. [/i] Experiences like this don't come along that often. I honestly think that this game is one of the most profound steps that video games have taken, ever. It is art and entertainment and education all rolled together and I am humbled that I got to play it. I could not recommend this more. If you're not used to reading, take your time - but make the effort. It is worth it. (And Kim Kitsuragi is one of the greatest characters of all time.)