Baldur’s Gate 3 Fans Must Play 2019’s Dark Detective CRPG…

It's been two years since Baldur's Gate 3 launched, during which time a number of fantastic and unexpected gaming releases have hit the market. Baldur's Gate 3 was the start of (or continuation of, depending on who you ask) a hot streak for the RPG genre, since BG3's success has been echoed by the likes of Metaphor: ReFantazio and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

But still, nothing has quite scratched that Baldur's Gate 3 itch. Naturally, the vast freedom of choice and world reactivity that Larian crafted for BG3 is difficult to replicate—it has a lightning-in-a-bottle quality to it. But more than that, it's hard to find a game that matches Baldur's Gate 3's specific quality of writing, storytelling that is at once electrifying and mature. Even a game like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a title that's much better than Baldur's Gate 3 in certain areas, isn't quite as nuanced as BG3 in most respects. If this is what you're looking for, then you don't have to wait: there's already at least one impeccably written, meaty, and ingenious CRPG waiting for you.

Don't Wait for the Next 'Baldur's Gate 3'—Play Disco Elysium Instead

Six Years Later, Disco Elysium Is as Powerful as Ever

As previously mentioned, one of the things that makes Baldur's Gate 3 so good is its mature narrative—a narrative that would be just as appropriate for an epic dark fantasy novel as it is for an ambitious video game. A diverse, compelling cast, razor-sharp dialogue, and perfectly subversive plot beats contribute to Baldur's Gate 3's storytelling excellence, and these are all traits shared by Disco Elysium, a 2019 CRPG that remains one of the best-written video games of all time.

Disco Elysium is also often compared to Planescape Torment, a game that, interestingly enough, also paved the way for Baldur's Gate 3.

Disco Elysium isn't a fantasy as such, but it is darkly magical. Players assume the role of a detective in the fictional city of Revachol, in a small neighborhood called Martinaise. The lore of Disco Elysium is surprisingly robust and detailed, and Martinaise itself has a rich history of war and revolution. But for simplicity's sake, and to protect against spoilers, all that prospective players need to know is this: Martinaise is effectively separate from the rest of the in-game world, destabilized after years of military conquest and power struggles, and is almost entirely controlled by a single worker's union by the time the game begins.

disco elysium physical attribute increase dockworker

There are many in the gaming community who have criticized Disco Elysium for its endorsement of communism, and others who have praised it for the same, but both of these camps tend to miss the game's nuance. Yes, Disco Elysium criticizes capitalism, authoritarianism, and fascism, but to say that it outright endorses or co-signs any specific political opinion is a bit of a reach. It would be more accurate to say that Disco Elysium comments on social structures and ethics broadly, and that this commentary includes references to certain forms of governance by necessity. It leverages real-world political systems and economics to tell its story, but it doesn't try to convert anyone or encourage the adoption of a specific stance, despite what many of the game's most vocal detractors would have you believe.

What Disco Elysium Lacks in Freedom, it Makes Up for in Intense, Manic Creativity

The amnesiac cop angle might be a bit played out, but make no mistake, Disco Elysium is the farthest thing from derivative or cliché. Players must solve a murder mystery, but the mystery is more about the context of post-war society than about action, grand revelations, or dramatic showdowns. There's also the protagonist himself, who is among the funniest, most fascinating player-characters ever. His psyche is partitioned into 24 different personas, which will speak to both him and each other during dialog encounters. For example, while interviewing an uncooperative witness, the protagonist's Empathy may chime in, prompting a more conscious approach, only for Authority to barge in and try to steamroll the conversation with aggression.

These internal personas were not voiced at launch, but Disco Elysium - The Final Cut cast Lenval Brown in these roles. In general, The Final Cut's voice acting is considerably improved compared to the original release.

Even more remarkable is how these personas tie into Disco Elysium's gameplay. There's no combat system, so challenges are instead depicted as dialog checks with dice rolls, affected by stat-based modifiers, much like in Baldur's Gate 3. Rather than the usual suspects—charm, intimidation, etc.—Disco Elysium's dialog checks are influenced by the personas. In other words, the personas take the place of conventional RPG stat categories and perks, making for a truly one-of-a-kind interactive dialogue experience.

Like Baldur's Gate 3, Disco Elysium Lets Players Shape Their Own Experience

Key Art Showing Characters From Disco Elysium In Casual Action Poses Against A Hand-Painted Background

Choices matter in Disco Elysium, but not nearly as much as they do in Baldur's Gate 3: Disco Elysium has a much more structured and linear story compared to Larian's massive D&D adaptation. While this might be disappointing to some, especially those who cut their teeth on the CRPG space with Baldur's Gate 3, it can also be viewed as a boon. Disco Elysium isn't about saving the world or becoming consistently more powerful, but about coming to terms with one's own past, navigating substance use, and grappling with the wounds that war and class struggle leave behind.

There's so much more to love about Disco Elysium, from its uniquely depressing soundtrack and unforgettable art style to its sprawling cast of complex, believable characters. It's virtually impossible to convey all these strengths in text, especially without issuing major spoilers, so take my word on this: Disco Elysium is absolutely worth your time, whether you like CRPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 or not.

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%

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Released: August 3, 2023
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s): Larian Studios
Publisher(s): Larian Studios

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Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.

THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.

A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.