Finishing a game you loved leaves a specific kind of gap, and searching for games similar to disco elysium is how most people try to fill it. The picks below are grouped by what they actually share with Disco Elysium, not by store tags.

Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Small details matter more than they should here, so read the order of steps carefully. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.

The short answer

There is no perfect clone of Disco Elysium, but two or three games get close on the part that mattered most — pace, tension or the loop itself.

What people actually miss about Disco Elysium

Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. The community figured most of this out through repetition, and the pattern has held up well. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing.

The obvious picks are obvious for a reason, but the third or fourth suggestion is usually the one people remember. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem.

The closest matches

If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. Give the first attempt an honest try before deciding the method does not work. Anything marked optional really is optional, so skip it without guilt.

  • Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
  • Heavier on story, lighter on mechanics.
  • Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
  • Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
  • Test one change at a time instead of five at once.

Worth a look if you want something lighter

There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. The obvious picks are obvious for a reason, but the third or fourth suggestion is usually the one people remember. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. It helps to know why a step exists, because then you can adapt it when your situation differs slightly.

Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Half the appeal of Disco Elysium was pacing, and pacing is the hardest thing for a recommendation list to match. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.

Mistakes worth avoiding

  • Changing several settings at once, then having no idea which one helped.
  • Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.
  • Giving up one attempt before the point where it usually clicks.
  • Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.

Frequently asked questions

Does this still work after the latest update?

It did at the time of writing. If a step no longer matches, the underlying idea normally still applies even when a menu has moved.

Are any of these free?

Some have free demos or trial weekends, which is the cheapest way to find out whether the comparison holds for you.

Which one is closest to Disco Elysium?

The first pick, if you care about the loop. If you cared more about the writing or the atmosphere, the second one lands closer.

Bookmark this if you expect to look up games similar to disco elysium again after the next update.