Disco Elysium is a generational success. Telling the story of Harry Dubois, a cop who has destroyed his body and soul after years of staring into the abyss as a member of the Revechol Citizens Militia. After a particularly brutal binge session he develops amnesia, but must still team up with fellow cop Kitsuragi to solve the brutal lynching of a mercenary hired to put down a local strike.

The characterisation of all of the characters is excellent. Martinaise is a forgotten black spot on the map, but the game crafts a huge suite of interesting believable characters. Including the many characters that exist in Harry's mind. The game takes an inspired decision to anthropomorphise different aspects of Harry's personality. Hearing your empathy or logic chime in while talking to people adds a great deal of depth and understanding of the character.

The writing of the game is overall great, but occasionally gets a little up its own ass. During this play through I focused on Shivers, a near supernatural ability that allow Harry to view the city around him. Many of these sections were incredibly moving and builds Martinaise as its own character.

The game is incredibly sad, Harry is no hero, he is a Brocken man and even in playing him redemptevly much of the damage is already done, which the game allegories with the City as well. Years of bad decisions and failures have lead to a Revechol that may never recover, but the fight must always continue for the fight to make things better is all that is left.