As a huge fan, I genuinely think Disco Elysium is one of the greatest games ever created. I know that’s a big statement, and not everyone will agree, but ZA/UM’s first game is a true masterpiece in my eyes. It’s been on my mind lately, especially with the release of their new game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. It’s tough for Zero Parades to live up to the incredible legacy of Disco Elysium, and it’s made me want to revisit why I loved the original so much.
The internal issues at ZA/UM, including the departure of founder and Disco Elysium creator Robert Kurvitz, certainly didn’t help Zero Parades. And while ZA/UM has stated that Zero Parades isn’t a sequel, spin-off, or even spiritually related to Disco Elysium, it was always going to be compared to such a critically acclaimed game. This happens with many video games, both big and small, that come out these days. Several recent titles share similar qualities with Disco Elysium, effectively creating a new, growing subgenre of its own.
Disco Elysium’s Soul Lingers in the Indie Scene
Disco Elysium played a significant role in making story-focused games more popular among indie developers. While it wasn’t the only factor – this trend was complex and had many influences – it definitely brought attention to the indie scene as a place where truly unique storytelling could thrive. Specifically, it helped popularize a particular type of narrative RPG, known for its memorable hand-drawn art, sharp writing reminiscent of authors like China Miéville and Charles Bukowski, deeply emotional and complex themes, and a focus on story over traditional combat. You can usually tell when a game has taken inspiration from Disco Elysium – it has a distinct feel.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Your Order
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Notable Post-2019 Games Inspired by Disco Elysium
- Esoteric Ebb
- The Thaumaturge
- Citizen Sleeper
- Sovereign Syndicate
- Norco
- Gamedec
Games such as Esoteric Ebb, The Thaumaturge, and Citizen Sleeper share a lot in common with Disco Elysium, even just by looking at them. Features like the way conversations are displayed, character portraits, and systems that rely on chance during dialogue are all strong indicators. But the connections often run deeper than just appearances. For example, both Norco and Citizen Sleeper tackle similar ideas about social class and how things are governed, and Esoteric Ebb takes the subtle humor found in Disco Elysium and really emphasizes it.
Is the recent surge of games similar to Disco Elysium simply because it’s such a highly acclaimed title? That’s certainly possible. Demon’s Souls pioneered the soulslike genre, and games like The Last of Us and Overwatch arguably launched their own subgenres as well. Essentially, major successes can create entirely new game categories, particularly in the ever-changing world of video games. However, this wave of *Discolike games is also connected to a broader artistic trend that’s been developing for years.
Disco Elysium Built on What Planescape Torment Started
ZA/UM, the creators of Disco Elysium, were heavily influenced by Black Isle Studios, especially their games Fallout, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment. Planescape: Torment is arguably the most similar game to Disco Elysium. Both share a focus on unique, thought-provoking stories – particularly concerning immortality and memory loss – and delve into complex philosophical ideas while rejecting traditional storytelling norms. The connection is clear: if you play even a short amount of both games, you’ll immediately notice the parallels.
While Disco Elysium quickly found success, Planescape: Torment didn’t sell well initially and only gained a dedicated following over time. Some of this difference is due to chance and how the gaming world has changed—players in 2019 were more open to story-focused RPGs than those in 1999. However, Disco Elysium also improved upon Planescape’s design, which was starting to feel dated.
Scratch & Peek 
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible.
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Games like Planescape: Torment sometimes include combat systems that feel like an afterthought, and this is often seen as a major weakness. Disco Elysium took a different approach, completely leaving out combat. This felt like a natural extension of the game’s unique design. When Disco Elysium first came out, the absence of combat was considered a daring move. Now, it’s much more common for indie games, even RPGs, to forgo combat altogether.
While not necessarily superior in every way, Disco Elysium is easier to get into and more focused than Planescape: Torment. This makes it more appealing to most players, and it’s an important factor in why Disco Elysium has inspired a new wave of similar, creatively-driven games. Its streamlined design is more accessible compared to the complexity of Planescape.
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2026-05-30 14:05