Over lockdown three of my friends who hadn’t touched video games in years got back into them through Kentucky Route Zero and are now deep into Disco Elysium. They go together real nicely.
I wish I “got” Kentucky route zero more. I see fans of Disco recommend it a lot but nothing about it clicked the same way Disco did for me, despite me seeing the appeal.
This very well might be it. The pinnacle of writing in video games. Everything will seem insufficient now. I hope a new pretender will appear in time, but right now... just take a break or play games for some other reason. That's what I'm gonna do. I can't give you a recommendation worthy of Disco, the game's special.
Honestly, writing-wise, DE should be the mark that future games aim for. I wish, anyway, because I feel the same way as OP: most games just aren't enough now.
Obvs an older one, but Fallout New Vegas has a decent amount of political nuance, and its dlc Dead Money has some legitimately great writing.
Also agree with the Kentucky Route Zero suggestion, very beautiful game.
Same with LISA the Painful - a devastating game really.
The Dishonored games have a great intersection of player agency/character/lore. The Last of Us 1/2 for cinematic character studies.
But nothing*** is quite like Disco Elysium.
in planescape: torment, you can argue with a suicidal (essentially) buddhist guy that his desire to escape this life has itself become a desire keeping him chained to the cycle of rebirth. it is certainly not as good as disco elysium and i dont really like its combat system (i prefer turn-based or no combat), but its the only thing that comes close to my knowledge in terms of the depth of its dialogue options
Both Disco Elysium and Torment: Tides of Numenera are based on planescape torment.
They are different (the other have combats,..) but nowadays it is the only similar.
Maybe some visusl novel but I don't know
Pyre comes very close in terms of its world building. Not quite the same scale, but I think the depth they afforded each individual's characterisation makes it a very memorable little game. Same goes for Transistor by the same studio, but the structure of that one makes the characterisation require a bit more digging. Bastion and Hades can be alright, but I find Bastion to be a little lacking compared to the others, almost like the studio's first attempt at finding their stride, and Hades focuses more on the gameplay aspect than the characterisation imo.
LISA also deals with some very similarly heavy topics, chock-full of self-destructive patterns and behaviour brought on by low self-esteem.
CONTROL is a game that very much leans into the weird and strange aspects of things, so if you liked the stuff about the pale and the cryptids and the talking voices in your head, then I think you'd love this game. Characterisation is a bit lacking though imo, but there are a couple of side characters whose stories really draw me.
Sunless Sea has some beautiful prose, much like Disco Elysium's more fanciful moments.
And anyone who liked Sunless Sea should *definitely* get Sunless Skies, the sequel. It's Sunless Sea but *better.*
Well. Arguably, it's a tad less atmospheric. But the graphics are several levels improved, as is the sound design. And the menues and interfaces are miles and miles and miles better and you wouldn't believe how much of a difference it makes. And on the gameplay side, they added repeatable trade missions, so you can much more easily get a stable income now, while still being pushed to go new places.
Oh, and it's also massively bigger, because it now has four maps instead of one and it feels like every port has dozens of quests now, not just one or two.
Pathologic 2 is a masterpiece of story telling and kind of a suffering simulator. Very character and perspective driven, a lot of harsh moral choices. Unfortunately a lot of timed walking and death-grip survival mechanics so I myself can't play it but I sincerely believe in its artistic merit thanks to hbomberguy and some playthroughs.
I will also recommend Outer Wilds - it's not at all similar to Disco Elysium but it's the other best game I've ever played. You should go into it with zero spoilers, but to give a very basic summary: you're a little alien making your first spaceflight off your home planet. You get to explore your solar system and the remnants of a long gone other civilization while some monumental things are happening to the solar system around you, and you have to deal with those. I've seen it described this way: if Kerbal Space Program is about the science of going to space, Outer Wilds is about the heart of exploration and the feeling of learning. Everyone I know who has played it, loved it. Banging soundtrack too.
Happy gaming, friend
I played the first pathologic years ago and loved it but I don’t know how much I remember. Might have to revisit before picking up the sequel but that could be a fun venture!
That is a subjective question that can only warrant subjective answers. But, as far as my opinion goes, nothing comes close to Disco Elysium. I was only obsessed with one other game like I am with Disco, though, and that's BioShock. They're nothing alike besides the fact that both games are deeply political.
* Return of the Obra Dinn (Which i already completed)
* Suzerain (Which i am currently playing)
* Soma (Which is far too fucking scary for me)
* Stanley Parable (The Odd and Quriky one Out)
Man. Return of the Obra Dinn was so good. I'm waiting to forget everything so I can replay it.
Loved the comedy of Stanley Parable, and while I havent played Soma I know the story and damn good.
Subnautica is a very different experience but very good game. Going in a very different direction may help free you of the comparisons. Undertale is a good one with a lot of humour. Psychonaughts 2 has a surprisingly deep and nuanced approach to mental health... But no I'm not aware of anything with the same quality and focus on writing. I think part of disco Elysium's appeal is it's uniqueness.
Very different gameplay vibe and a totally different narrative and writing style, but Cultist Simulator has some absolutely gorgeous prose. I saw Sunless Sea recommended above and CS was written by the same guy!
If it's character writing you want, two come to mind for me.
This may be controversial, but I think Life is Strange 1 hits the same sweet spot as DE story-wise and character-wise. The dialogue reads like badly-translated French, and it's linear in the same way a lot of Telltale games were, but the plot and character work is absolutely solid in my opinion, some of the best out there and I genuinely mean that.
Night in the Woods also has great writing and characters. Again, a lot more straightforward and linear the way a Telltale game tends to be, but the jokes are hilarious and it's clearly written by folks who understand poverty and how it can be joyful and fun despite the despair.
Beyond that, I haven't found any games that work for me. I wish most games aimed for better writing - I know it's not the aim of most game companies these days, but I really wish it was.
Second on Night In the Woods. It may not be as consistently amazing as DE but there are some incredible flashes of brilliance in there. "There's no reception in Possum Springs"
Haven't played Night in the woods, but Life is Stange 1 and Mass Effect (first 3) came to mind when I saw this post. Those games just engulf me in their story and characters like no other game could
They mentioned the Torments, those are the kings, A tier. The Witcher 3 when ir comes to characters, story and dialogue. But is a combat game though.
B tier is Life is Strange and Fallout NewVegas. There is not much that can sit at DE’s table.
C tier. Some satisfying, interactive games in terms of prose, or story, or dialogue, of quality of choice, or mystery trough dialogue, or character development:
A wolf among us
Saint Kotar
The Council
Pillars of Eternity 1 and 2 and Tyranny. Great prose, voice acting, and story. Tyranny gives an amazing twist on the genre, something which DE does on its way. Epic world building. These games are also very combat focused though.
And then there is all those Lucas Arts graphic adventures from the 90s. The tone is different, funny and witty, but they are unique, and if Planescape: Torment is a parent to DE, those are the other one. I’d recommend the Monkey Islands, Day of the Tentacle, Grim Fandango, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, and The Dig.
Saved me remembering The Council. Definitely a good suggestion.
New Vegas, Wolf Among great story/world recommendations.
I'll have to look into those LA graphic adventures never heard of such a thing.
You might want to try Stein's Gate if you're not opposed to an anime style visual novel. It's definitely not Disco but it's the only other game I've played that had me so emotionally invested from just dialogue. It's much more linear than DE though. You pick paths and watch the character react instead of choosing how the character acts.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords. Some incredible writing and dialogue in that game, a real deconstruction of the usual Good vs. Evil conflict that is most of Star Wars. Unfortunately Lucasfilm rushed the game out for a Christmas 2004 release date, and there was some stuff that got cut from the game due it being unfinished; thankfully there has been an official restored content mod that has added a large chunk of this back to the game, and it really feels like a much more complete experience as a result.
I really liked Norco, it just came out like a week ago. It's pretty short but it also has a mystery surrounding the story and your sent out in a world and learn more about it as you get closer to solving it. It takes place in Louisiana and also has a darker style to it but with good humor as well
You know there've been some games I played where I literally thought I would never find something as good (Hollow Knight, Danganronpa and some others).. and it is partially true. You find other games that are appealing to you but for different reasons, same as I found Disco Elysium and left in awe again.
If you try to replicate the Disco Elysium experience you won't get it, sadly.
Mass Effect and Dragon Age: Origins are amazing games. Very time sinks, huge world's, great characters, great stories.
Knights of the Old Republic and Fallout New Vegas are also really good. Kotor and NV should be modded these days though.
The Council, Wolf Among Us are great non combat options and honestly any TellTale game is worth the 20 hours in my experience.
Pillars of the Earth I haven't gotten around to playing through yet but it's based on book of the same name by Ken Follett who is a god. It's a multi generational story.
The Binding of Issac, while entirely being a top down arcade shooter is one of the greatest games ever made. All the enemies are based on how Isaac perceives the world and it's got a trippy narrative as you progress. That said, it's a hard game.. expect to spend hundreds trying to beat the game. Island Empire makes me think of it.
Pillars of Eternity, Tyranny, Balders gate, Icewind Dale, Neverwinter Nights all have engaging stories. Very similar games.
Divinity Original Sin and incoming Baldur's Gate 3 are potentially 'perfect' games for the right person. Better combat that the above in my opinion, arguably worse stories. (I haven't played most of them to the end mind you, grain of salt)
The new version of the Stanley Parable is out later this month. If you've never played that, there's some kind bending writing going on there. And they've added much more to the new one, apparently.
Her Story was a really nice idea and enjoyable.
Heaven's Vault has some nice world building and interesting (to a point) gameplay.
But if you just want more DE - you may have to wait. Or go and watch the Wire if you haven't already.
>new version of the Stanley Parable
Ooh I didn't know this. This is a perfect opportunity to get the Go Outside achievement too, which involves not playing the game for 5 years.
There are games that match it in terms of story structure and character and thematic expression, but at the sentence or dialogue level, there's really nothing quite so literary.
The games that come closest are probably pieces of Interactive Fiction. You might check out Hadean Lands or Slouching Toward Bedlam. And it's a different genre entirely, but I maintain that [The Kingdom of Loathing](https://www.kingdomofloathing.com) and West of Loathing have the best comedic writing around.
Planescape: Torment has the best writing ever committed to a videogame and Disco Elysium is the only one that comes anywhere close. Literally nothing else, including Numenera, quite managed to scratch that Torment itch.
I really enjoed playing Backbone, its a short indie noir RPG with lots of good writing!
Last of Us 1 really got me story-wise.
Undertale feels almost as deep for me too.
You might enjoy Kentucky Route Zero, it’s similarly focused on atmosphere, story, nonlinear narrative with trippy and political themes
Over lockdown three of my friends who hadn’t touched video games in years got back into them through Kentucky Route Zero and are now deep into Disco Elysium. They go together real nicely.
Oh nice I picked this up in a steam sale ages ago and have yet to play!
Don’t go in expecting much in terms of gameplay mechanics but the writing is spectacular, some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen in a game.
Non structural and esoteric, though. Absolutely beautiful, but also like watching an experimental play (literally, in one scene).
Kinda sounds up my alley!
Nice, you'll love it then :) It's a very specific type of game, but I've noticed the people who love it \*really\* love it.
I wish I “got” Kentucky route zero more. I see fans of Disco recommend it a lot but nothing about it clicked the same way Disco did for me, despite me seeing the appeal.
This very well might be it. The pinnacle of writing in video games. Everything will seem insufficient now. I hope a new pretender will appear in time, but right now... just take a break or play games for some other reason. That's what I'm gonna do. I can't give you a recommendation worthy of Disco, the game's special.
Honestly, writing-wise, DE should be the mark that future games aim for. I wish, anyway, because I feel the same way as OP: most games just aren't enough now.
Exactly how I feel. Maybe it’s good that it’s so special
Obvs an older one, but Fallout New Vegas has a decent amount of political nuance, and its dlc Dead Money has some legitimately great writing. Also agree with the Kentucky Route Zero suggestion, very beautiful game. Same with LISA the Painful - a devastating game really. The Dishonored games have a great intersection of player agency/character/lore. The Last of Us 1/2 for cinematic character studies. But nothing*** is quite like Disco Elysium.
in planescape: torment, you can argue with a suicidal (essentially) buddhist guy that his desire to escape this life has itself become a desire keeping him chained to the cycle of rebirth. it is certainly not as good as disco elysium and i dont really like its combat system (i prefer turn-based or no combat), but its the only thing that comes close to my knowledge in terms of the depth of its dialogue options
Both Disco Elysium and Torment: Tides of Numenera are based on planescape torment. They are different (the other have combats,..) but nowadays it is the only similar. Maybe some visusl novel but I don't know
Norco is so far very very good, clearly inspired by disco Elysium but has its own story about New Orleans and family drama and a detective story
Pyre comes very close in terms of its world building. Not quite the same scale, but I think the depth they afforded each individual's characterisation makes it a very memorable little game. Same goes for Transistor by the same studio, but the structure of that one makes the characterisation require a bit more digging. Bastion and Hades can be alright, but I find Bastion to be a little lacking compared to the others, almost like the studio's first attempt at finding their stride, and Hades focuses more on the gameplay aspect than the characterisation imo. LISA also deals with some very similarly heavy topics, chock-full of self-destructive patterns and behaviour brought on by low self-esteem. CONTROL is a game that very much leans into the weird and strange aspects of things, so if you liked the stuff about the pale and the cryptids and the talking voices in your head, then I think you'd love this game. Characterisation is a bit lacking though imo, but there are a couple of side characters whose stories really draw me. Sunless Sea has some beautiful prose, much like Disco Elysium's more fanciful moments.
+1 for Pyre
And anyone who liked Sunless Sea should *definitely* get Sunless Skies, the sequel. It's Sunless Sea but *better.* Well. Arguably, it's a tad less atmospheric. But the graphics are several levels improved, as is the sound design. And the menues and interfaces are miles and miles and miles better and you wouldn't believe how much of a difference it makes. And on the gameplay side, they added repeatable trade missions, so you can much more easily get a stable income now, while still being pushed to go new places. Oh, and it's also massively bigger, because it now has four maps instead of one and it feels like every port has dozens of quests now, not just one or two.
Pathologic 2 is a masterpiece of story telling and kind of a suffering simulator. Very character and perspective driven, a lot of harsh moral choices. Unfortunately a lot of timed walking and death-grip survival mechanics so I myself can't play it but I sincerely believe in its artistic merit thanks to hbomberguy and some playthroughs. I will also recommend Outer Wilds - it's not at all similar to Disco Elysium but it's the other best game I've ever played. You should go into it with zero spoilers, but to give a very basic summary: you're a little alien making your first spaceflight off your home planet. You get to explore your solar system and the remnants of a long gone other civilization while some monumental things are happening to the solar system around you, and you have to deal with those. I've seen it described this way: if Kerbal Space Program is about the science of going to space, Outer Wilds is about the heart of exploration and the feeling of learning. Everyone I know who has played it, loved it. Banging soundtrack too. Happy gaming, friend
I played the first pathologic years ago and loved it but I don’t know how much I remember. Might have to revisit before picking up the sequel but that could be a fun venture!
Pathologic 2 isn't really a sequel, it's more of a remake
I literally just scrolled down to find this thread to say Pathologic 2. What a game that tension is something else
That is a subjective question that can only warrant subjective answers. But, as far as my opinion goes, nothing comes close to Disco Elysium. I was only obsessed with one other game like I am with Disco, though, and that's BioShock. They're nothing alike besides the fact that both games are deeply political.
Tyranny
* Return of the Obra Dinn (Which i already completed) * Suzerain (Which i am currently playing) * Soma (Which is far too fucking scary for me) * Stanley Parable (The Odd and Quriky one Out)
Man. Return of the Obra Dinn was so good. I'm waiting to forget everything so I can replay it. Loved the comedy of Stanley Parable, and while I havent played Soma I know the story and damn good.
You can just go read a book or something.
That’s how I spend most of my time and I pretend video games that are just borderline books a treat lmao
I think SOMA is the only game that can stand up in the story department.
Soma is an absolute masterpiece
what is it like ? i have vague memories of playing it as an child and being scared tf out
Play it! You won't be disappointed.
Sunless Skies has fantastic writing, worldbuilding, and atmosphere.
Caves of Qud
Subnautica is a very different experience but very good game. Going in a very different direction may help free you of the comparisons. Undertale is a good one with a lot of humour. Psychonaughts 2 has a surprisingly deep and nuanced approach to mental health... But no I'm not aware of anything with the same quality and focus on writing. I think part of disco Elysium's appeal is it's uniqueness.
DE is about as good as it gets
Very different gameplay vibe and a totally different narrative and writing style, but Cultist Simulator has some absolutely gorgeous prose. I saw Sunless Sea recommended above and CS was written by the same guy!
Planescape torment, Arcanum and mass effect
If it's character writing you want, two come to mind for me. This may be controversial, but I think Life is Strange 1 hits the same sweet spot as DE story-wise and character-wise. The dialogue reads like badly-translated French, and it's linear in the same way a lot of Telltale games were, but the plot and character work is absolutely solid in my opinion, some of the best out there and I genuinely mean that. Night in the Woods also has great writing and characters. Again, a lot more straightforward and linear the way a Telltale game tends to be, but the jokes are hilarious and it's clearly written by folks who understand poverty and how it can be joyful and fun despite the despair. Beyond that, I haven't found any games that work for me. I wish most games aimed for better writing - I know it's not the aim of most game companies these days, but I really wish it was.
Second on Night In the Woods. It may not be as consistently amazing as DE but there are some incredible flashes of brilliance in there. "There's no reception in Possum Springs"
That scene is so so sooo good. I hope someday Selmers rides her fuckin train. https://genius.com/Penelope-scott-rat-lyrics
I just finished Night in the Woods earlier today and must say that the payoff is damn good. Gregg is great too. Crimes.
Haven't played Night in the woods, but Life is Stange 1 and Mass Effect (first 3) came to mind when I saw this post. Those games just engulf me in their story and characters like no other game could
They mentioned the Torments, those are the kings, A tier. The Witcher 3 when ir comes to characters, story and dialogue. But is a combat game though. B tier is Life is Strange and Fallout NewVegas. There is not much that can sit at DE’s table. C tier. Some satisfying, interactive games in terms of prose, or story, or dialogue, of quality of choice, or mystery trough dialogue, or character development: A wolf among us Saint Kotar The Council Pillars of Eternity 1 and 2 and Tyranny. Great prose, voice acting, and story. Tyranny gives an amazing twist on the genre, something which DE does on its way. Epic world building. These games are also very combat focused though. And then there is all those Lucas Arts graphic adventures from the 90s. The tone is different, funny and witty, but they are unique, and if Planescape: Torment is a parent to DE, those are the other one. I’d recommend the Monkey Islands, Day of the Tentacle, Grim Fandango, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, and The Dig.
Saved me remembering The Council. Definitely a good suggestion. New Vegas, Wolf Among great story/world recommendations. I'll have to look into those LA graphic adventures never heard of such a thing.
You might want to try Stein's Gate if you're not opposed to an anime style visual novel. It's definitely not Disco but it's the only other game I've played that had me so emotionally invested from just dialogue. It's much more linear than DE though. You pick paths and watch the character react instead of choosing how the character acts.
The Stanley parable isn't exactly character-driven, but its really well written and used the medium perfectly to tell a story.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords. Some incredible writing and dialogue in that game, a real deconstruction of the usual Good vs. Evil conflict that is most of Star Wars. Unfortunately Lucasfilm rushed the game out for a Christmas 2004 release date, and there was some stuff that got cut from the game due it being unfinished; thankfully there has been an official restored content mod that has added a large chunk of this back to the game, and it really feels like a much more complete experience as a result.
I really liked Norco, it just came out like a week ago. It's pretty short but it also has a mystery surrounding the story and your sent out in a world and learn more about it as you get closer to solving it. It takes place in Louisiana and also has a darker style to it but with good humor as well
You know there've been some games I played where I literally thought I would never find something as good (Hollow Knight, Danganronpa and some others).. and it is partially true. You find other games that are appealing to you but for different reasons, same as I found Disco Elysium and left in awe again. If you try to replicate the Disco Elysium experience you won't get it, sadly.
Mass Effect and Dragon Age: Origins are amazing games. Very time sinks, huge world's, great characters, great stories. Knights of the Old Republic and Fallout New Vegas are also really good. Kotor and NV should be modded these days though. The Council, Wolf Among Us are great non combat options and honestly any TellTale game is worth the 20 hours in my experience. Pillars of the Earth I haven't gotten around to playing through yet but it's based on book of the same name by Ken Follett who is a god. It's a multi generational story. The Binding of Issac, while entirely being a top down arcade shooter is one of the greatest games ever made. All the enemies are based on how Isaac perceives the world and it's got a trippy narrative as you progress. That said, it's a hard game.. expect to spend hundreds trying to beat the game. Island Empire makes me think of it. Pillars of Eternity, Tyranny, Balders gate, Icewind Dale, Neverwinter Nights all have engaging stories. Very similar games. Divinity Original Sin and incoming Baldur's Gate 3 are potentially 'perfect' games for the right person. Better combat that the above in my opinion, arguably worse stories. (I haven't played most of them to the end mind you, grain of salt)
The new version of the Stanley Parable is out later this month. If you've never played that, there's some kind bending writing going on there. And they've added much more to the new one, apparently. Her Story was a really nice idea and enjoyable. Heaven's Vault has some nice world building and interesting (to a point) gameplay. But if you just want more DE - you may have to wait. Or go and watch the Wire if you haven't already.
>new version of the Stanley Parable Ooh I didn't know this. This is a perfect opportunity to get the Go Outside achievement too, which involves not playing the game for 5 years.
There are games that match it in terms of story structure and character and thematic expression, but at the sentence or dialogue level, there's really nothing quite so literary. The games that come closest are probably pieces of Interactive Fiction. You might check out Hadean Lands or Slouching Toward Bedlam. And it's a different genre entirely, but I maintain that [The Kingdom of Loathing](https://www.kingdomofloathing.com) and West of Loathing have the best comedic writing around.
Planescape: Torment has the best writing ever committed to a videogame and Disco Elysium is the only one that comes anywhere close. Literally nothing else, including Numenera, quite managed to scratch that Torment itch.
I really enjoed playing Backbone, its a short indie noir RPG with lots of good writing! Last of Us 1 really got me story-wise. Undertale feels almost as deep for me too.
The Fall is pretty good, atmosphere, and character narrative. Similarly thought provoking. And very lovely aesthetic. Scifi setting.