disco elysium review

(formerly a bulletin but I wanted to keep it permanently as a blog post)

minor spoilers

This was one of the best games and stories I have ever experienced recently for so many reasons. The way they portray the protagonist is done so well and honestly very true to life if you've ever known or been someone like that. The absurd humour alongside the darker parts of this world don't fight against each other at all, and it's very resonant in a lot of ways if you can relate to any of the characters by even a small amount. 

I am already playing it again to do things differently, seeing as I tried to be straightforward and professional the first time (mainly so Kim wasn't disappointed in me) but I want to see how things go if I just act like a complete maniac.

It's funny seeing people go into this game expecting a cool detective thriller (which it can very well be at times), and not realising they're about to play an absolute wreck of a man barely clinging to his health and mental stability, who can literally die by sitting in a fucking chair

The portrayal of Harry's various mental and physical traits and how they all chime in to offer their/his take on the situation really sells the idea of his mind being this noisy, barely manageable place most of the time, making him this eccentric, insane man full of contradiction and intrusive thoughts. At the same time, it can show just how incredible of a detective he can be, able to predict things like bullet trajectory, or reconstruct events that took place years ago by looking at the remains left, or pick someone apart through conversation. 

Inland Empire + Volition are my favourite skills. The themes of self-belief, courage, will, and the power and potential of the unconscious imaginative forces in us are really important to me and this game uses it all perfectly.

When things line up properly in his mind, it becomes clear why he has the position he does despite the destructive and neglectful habits that often screw things up. For all his faults and setbacks he is truly revered and unmatched in deduction and quick thinking skills, amidst the insane outbursts and social illiteracy (depending on his stats, but ultimately always present no matter your rhetoric or empathy level).

If you like slow burn story games/RPGs I would suggest you go in completely blind, don't even watch the trailer. I also wouldn't recommend you buy it at full price (or any) due to it effectively being stolen from the original dev team but that's your call to make, provided you have reliable and safe alternative means ;)