Disco Elysium is one of the most popular detective role-playing-games of recent history. It’ll probably be a cult classic in about 10 years. So, what makes this game so special? Revolutionary role playing experience, freedom of choice, unique dialogue system, and open world. Disco Elysium has one big downside though. It eventually ends… That makes me wonder. Are there any more games like Disco Elysium out there?
Well, unfortunately games like Disco Elysium are pretty rare. Still, there are few video games that are similar to Disco Elysium. So, we are mainly looking for games that are RPG with detective elements. Mostly focused on story and characters, instead of combat. I could only find 15 games like that. But all of them are fun to play and should satisfy you after Disco Elysium.
1. Kentucky Route Zero: PC Edition
It is number one on our list, simply because developers said they have inspired from it in the making of Disco Elysium. Delve into Kentucky Route Zero, you will feel a similar atmosphere right away.
In essence, it is an adventure game about secret highway inside the caves beneath Kentucky, and the mysterious people who travel it. You can expect highly strange, thrilling, magical, and atmospheric adventure.
I believe it’s best to know as little as possible about it before playing. All I can say is that Kentucky Route Zero is a perfect bridge between philosophical literature and gaming. Lastly the music, it is perfectly in harmony with artful graphics. This is not a simple game, a work of an art and a masterpiece.
2. Planescape Torment
Devs said they are inspired from Planescape Torment too. I guess there are two games played a huge role in the creation of Disco Elysium.
It is really an old game. First release was dated back to 1999. However, you can play the 2017 remastered version which is quite beautiful. You don’t get to play D&D story rich fantasy games so often after all.
Planescape: Torment offers the best writing, story, plot, and dialogues you have ever seen in the history of gaming. Most people says that this is the best book they have played! They are right too, because Planescape: Torment is much more than a game.
3. Pathologic 2
Here goes the sequel of old cult classic RPG Pathologic. It is a detective open world role playing game with horror elements. Pathologic 2 released in 2019 and received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Even though it is an unorthodox game and highly bizarre.
Story is about fighting a deadly outbreak in a rural town. Local healer is dead and the town is slowly dying. You will take the role of new healer. But there are no miracles in this world. You can’t save everyone. There will be many hard choices to make. Most choices will be between lose-lose situations, because the plague is unforgiving…
4. Torment: Tides of Numenera
Torment: Tides of Numenera is one of those role playing games where you do more talking that fighting. Which is the best aspect of role playing games. Isn’t that the reason we like Disco Elyisum after all?
Also Torment: Tides of Numenera is the thematic successor to Planescape: Torment. So, if you like reading, story-based games, and epic science fiction, play this after Disco Elysium.
5. Return of the Obra Dinn
Lost at sea 1803 ~ The good ship Obra Dinn.
In 1802, a merchant ship named Obra Dinn set out from London to Orient, with 200 tons of trade goods. It was expected to arrive Cape of Good Hope in six months. However, six months later it didn’t arrived and declared lost at the sea.
Five years later, in 1807 Obra Dinn drifted into port of Falmouth. But unfortunately, sails were damaged and crew were missing.
As an insurance investigator from London, you dispatch right away in order to investigate and prepare an assessment of damages.
6. Gamedec
Here is another isometric RPG detective game, just like Disco Elysium. But this time, instead of going back in time, you will go into future.
Gamedec is a cyberpunk game set in futuristic world. Just as Disco Elysium, Gamedec is non-combat role playing game. Instead of muscle, you must use your wits, smarts, and social skills.
Actually, Gamedec might be the closest game to the Disco Elysium.
7. Dreamfall Chapters
Dreamfall Chapters is a story-driven adventure game about choices and consequences. Even though it is an adventure game, decisions you make greatly change the course of the story. Therefore we can call it RPG in my book.
What makes this game so attractive is the setting. Dreamfall Chapters is set in a parallel worlds. You get to experience both medieval fantasy realm and cyberpunk vision of the future simultaneously.
8. Shadowrun Series
Yet another cyberpunk isometric RPG series, Shadowrun. If you don’t like old games, try the latest game of the series, Shadowrun: Hong Kong. It is hailed as one of the best cRPGs of 2015.
Shadowrun is a classic, story driven role-playing-game. Choices, and novel like branching are amazing. Though the best part is immense character development. Get ready to immerse yourself in a cyberpunk journey!
9. The Talos Principle
The Talos Principle is actually a puzzle solving game. However, philosophical aspect of this game is more dominant. That is the reason I included Talos Principle to the Disco Elysium like games list.
Be ready to overcome more than 120 immersive puzzles. Since the game’s non-linear, you can solve the puzzles in your own way. Also your choices will have consequences in this game. So, The Talos Principle is one of a kind game just like Disco Elysium. I think you should try it too.
10. Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Heart of the Forest
Who let the dogs out? WHO, WHO, WHO, WHO. Are you ready to explore the myths and monsters of Europe’s last primeval wilderness? Play as Maia, who is exploring Bialowieza Forest to learn more about her family history.
Discover the fascinating world. Learn about the local legends and traditions. Eventually, you will find the dark secret of your family’s.
Along the way, you will make many choices that often bring dramatic consequences.
11. The Forgotten City
Another detective RPG game, but this time, set in a secluded ancient roman city. In Forgotten City, you travel 2000 years in back to unravel the mystery behind the death of a city.
The Forgotten City was actually a Skyrim mod at the beginning. Its story was perfectly written and in the end, it has won the Writers’ Guilds award. Eventually after some time, mod creators decided to release The Forgotten City as a standalone game.
Of course standalone version is much better. Graphics, story, voices, and almost everything is updated.
12. Lisa: The Painful
The miserable journey of a broken man… Lisa: The Painful hosts a story both sad and fun at the same time, like Disco Elysium. Dark humor dare I say.
The game pulls you into a bizarre, absurd, and ruthless post apocalypse world. There will be many disgusting, moral choices to make in this Mad Max like universe. You will experience different emotions during gameplay such as disgust, cringe, horror, and laughter.
13. Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods is a game focused on exploration, story, and dialogues.
You will take role of Mae Borowski, who is a college dropout returning home to resume her aimless life and reconnect with the friends. Of course, things aren’t the same they used to be. Home is different, friends have grown and changed.
A sweet and unique experience. Just don’t have an existential crisis while playing this slice of life game.
By the way, you are a cat in Night in the Woods!
14. Tyranny
Tyranny is a story driven isometric role playing game, where choices matters a lot. Only a few RPG can handle the choices like Tyranny does. Branching, unique stories makes you feel your decisions are impactful. Also it is highly re-playable thanks to the world altering decisions, and far reaching consequences.
Of course there are many differences with Tyranny and Disco Elysium. Such as party mechanic, real time combat, and fantasy setting. Still, it let’s you develop your character and impact the world you are in. As an officer with considerable resources and authority, you can embrace the status quo, or change the world order from the inside.
15. Baldur’s Gate 3
I know, only similarity between Baldur’s Gate 3 and Disco Elysium is their genre. ( Choices Matter, Isometric RPG ) But I really love this game and wanted to put it at the end of my list.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, you make lots of decisions regarding character development and moral choices, just like Disco Elysium. Except this time you are travelling with three other companions, in a fantasy D&D world.
Thank you for checking out my Disco Elysium like games list. I hope these games will give you similar experience of Disco Elysium. Even though it is one of a kind, you can find some games gives the same vibes.
I would like to hear your thoughts, leave a comment below, and I will see you soon. Till later!
