Disco Elysium took the RPG world by storm when it launched in 2019, earning numerous Game of the Year awards. Console players had to wait a bit longer, but The Final Cut edition finally brought the game to PS4, PS5, and later Xbox and Switch. If you’re preparing to dive into this one-of-a-kind experience, here are five key things you should know before starting your investigation.

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1. A Unique Blend of RPG and Point-and-Click Adventure

Disco Elysium is best described as a dialogue-heavy RPG with strong influences from pen-and-paper role-playing games. If you’re unfamiliar with that format, think of it as a narrative-driven point-and-click adventure with incredibly deep systems. Imagine taking the branching conversations from BioWare or The Witcher titles and expanding them into an entire game. If you value complex storytelling and character-driven narratives, you’re in for something special.

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2. Prepare for Extensive, Branching Dialogue

Unlike many RPGs where dialogue options are brief or limited, Disco Elysium features sprawling conversations shaped by your character’s stats and choices. Your skill selections open up unique responses, insights, and internal monologues, some of which can branch into long, philosophical tangents. This depth is a major strength—but it can also slow the pace. To avoid dialogue fatigue, engage with topics that truly interest you instead of trying to exhaust every option.

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3. No Hand-Holding – You’ll Learn by Doing

One of the game’s quirks is its lack of a traditional tutorial. You’re expected to figure out most mechanics on your own, which can feel intimidating at first. Here are some quick-start tips:

• Use the Left Stick to move your character.
• The Right Stick highlights nearby interactable objects.
• Press X (or your platform’s equivalent) to interact—sometimes repeatedly.
• Press Square (or equivalent) to access your character sheet; use the triggers to switch between quests, inventory, and skills.
• Tap Left/Right on the D-pad to heal health or morale—both must stay above zero or it’s game over.
• Many decisions involve dice rolls, influenced by your skills—so choose your build carefully.

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4. Text Size Matters – Adjust the UI Settings

One common complaint, especially on consoles, is the small text size. On a 50” screen from 10 feet away, reading can become a chore. Fortunately, you can increase the main dialogue font in the settings. For the best experience, set it to the largest option. Some UI elements still blend into the background, so if you’re playing from a distance, consider sitting closer or adjusting contrast settings as needed.

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5. A Dark, Philosophical Story with Surprising Humor

Disco Elysium is gritty, strange, and often deeply philosophical. But despite its bleak setting, the game can also be unexpectedly funny. Depending on your dialogue choices, your character might veer toward tragic introspection, absurdist chaos, or something entirely surreal. If you enjoy stories with offbeat humor, psychological depth, and unconventional worldbuilding, you’ll likely appreciate its Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas-style vibe.

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Final Thoughts

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut offers one of the most engrossing narrative experiences in modern gaming. While it wears its RPG label proudly, it also redefines what a role-playing game can be—trading combat for introspection, and stats for personality. With incredible writing, high replayability, and total freedom in shaping your character, each playthrough becomes a unique exploration of identity, politics, and morality.

Already played it? Share your insights with fellow detectives. Just starting out? Ask away—there are no wrong questions in Revachol.

Good luck, and enjoy your descent into the wild world of Disco Elysium.