This review contains spoilers

A swan song for a dying world. The revolution came and went, and you missed it. The liberals have won. Ecological collapse is imminent. The fascists use capitalism to kill minorities and the poor. There was a dream of a better world. And the dream is gone.

But you're still here. A broken person. A paragon. A villain. A philosopher. A drunk. A will to live. A longing. Longing for Elysium. The world is so beautiful and fragile. We must protect it. We must exploit it. We must destroy it. You have the will to change everything. It's your duty, your purpose even. It's why you were put here. But first you have a job to do. The lights dim for a moment. Your head hurts. And you awaken.

Disco Elysium is a one of a kind experience. Taking the role of an amnesiac detective, you must solve the mystery of a lynching in an old yard behind a hotel. It's a story of redemption. Or of self destruction. You meet your partner. He's your compass. All he can do is point you in a direction but it's up to you to follow. The people of Martinaise live their lives with sadness and regret. Living out of old bombed out apartments from the revolution.

History courses through the veins of Revachol. Bleeding out like a viscous ichor at every turn. Everyone and everything has a story to tell. An account of a mad king. An execution. A failed business. A child's bliss. Dead parents. A bitter and hateful old man who never moved on. The world breathes information and rewards curiosity with knowledge.

Even the worst of us hold nuances. A fascist gunman becomes soft when remembering the color of his brother's eyes. A child torn apart by drugs and abuse has a spark of creativity in his soul. A genocidal messiah loves games and figurines. A drunk detective has the capacity for love. There's a gap in the scales of every dragon.

Despite how bleak the world is, you can still find beauty. You can choose to live and love living. Find beauty in love. In camaraderie. In nature. In music. In helping a group of aimless kids build their dream. In an old church dedicated to a woman responsible for countless death and suffering. In the club built inside its hallowed walls. Disco Elysium.

Find hope despite knowing everything will disappear one day. It will disappear into that thick fog. The fog of unreality. So make the best of the time that's left. It could be centuries or days. You choose the kind of person you want to be. There was a dream of a better world. And the dream is gone. But you can create a new dream. So what will you dream?

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2024


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