Disco Elysium first launched in 2019 and made a bit of a splash with its unique gameplay. The narrative-driven RPG not only was a hit among fans, but it also scooped numerous awards. It uses RPG mechanics for a purely story-based adventure game, combat is replaced with conversations, and stats and dice rolls are used to determine the success of dialogue choices.
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The Final Cut edition re-release also brings Disco Elysium to various consoles. If you are hungering for similar games play any of the titles below. Most of these are adventure games or equally unique in their own genre, while others are shared by a dedication to doing something new with the medium.
Updated November 7, 2022, by Jason Wojnar: In an age where cutting-edge graphics and bombastic set pieces seem to rule the charts, it is good to know a game like Disco Elysium can still make an impact. It's still being talked about it long after its 2019 release, and part of its appeal is how unique its gameplay and world are even in the RPG genre. If you are looking for the best games similar to Disco Elysium, we recommend browsing through the updated version of this list. The games range from tried and true RPGs to games that maintain a more thematic connection rather than a direct gameplay one.
19 Fallout: New Vegas
While the newer Fallout games from Bethesda certainly have their appeal, many veterans of the series miss the days when decisions had a lasting impact and moral ambiguity. These fans are at least thankful that developer Obsidian got a chance to make a Fallout title on Bethesda's engine.
Fallout: New Vegas rides the line between old-fashion Interplay Fallout and the newer titles. The gameplay will be familiar to anybody well-versed in Fallout 3, but the narrative and dark humor will remind older fans of the series' isometric origins.
18 Neurocracy
Most people reading this have spent countless hours down a Wikipedia rabbit hole. What if this idea were turned into a video game? This is exactly what Neurocracy does. This game's entire UI and gameplay are based on clicking around a fictional website called Omnipedia, which almost exactly mimics Wikipedia.
By searching the different web pages you unravel the mystery surrounding the assassination of a famous billionaire who made their fortune in technology in the near future. Much like Disco Elysium, you'll get a lot of this game if you are the type who enjoys reading and sifting through tons of text.
17 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Some games are too far ahead of their time for their own good. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines was extremely ambitious, but probably bit off more than it could chew. Jumping into the game's world you are able to create a variety of different vampiric characters and the type you make has an effect on quests and the way you interact with the game world.
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Unfortunately, the game was extremely buggy upon release but was improved over time mostly through fan-made patches. The version available on GOG.com fortunately has most of the patches included.
16 The Outer Worlds
This first-person RPG comes from Obsidian, which was recently purchased by Microsoft. It plays and is structured like a western RPG but is not quite as large as an Elder Scrolls game or recent Fallout.
This is a huge plus since it encourages multiple playthroughs where you can really see how your decisions affect the world. Even though western RPGs are as plentiful as ever, The Outer Worlds' shorter average length and focus on decision-making make the game stand out as a must-play for any RPG fan.
15 Fallout
Younger players might only be familiar with Bethesda's Fallout games. The first two entries in the series were isometric open-world RPGs. Compared to the newer entries in the series, Fallout is way more intense and difficult than most modern RPGs.
Your decisions also have a bigger impact on the world, which will appeal to fans of Disco Elysium. While the games are old, the two original Fallouts are available via gog.com.
14 The Forgotten City
The Forgotten City started life as a Skyrim mod. The protagonist ends up in a city where the world ends every time someone sins, and has to unravel the mystery of the time loop and who is ending existence and restarting the day. The game's story is almost as interesting as its development.
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The mod started development in 2011 and the director, Nick Pearce, eventually quit his day job in 2016 when development switched to a standalone title, putting all of his eggs in this basket. The solid reviews indicate that he made the right decision. Gameplay consists mainly of talking to NPCs, with combat playing a minor role in certain events.
13 Divinity: Original Sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a critically beloved turn-based tactical RPG. Despite the series having been around for more than a decade, this is the first game to achieve more mainstream success. Relatively unique for the genre is the cooperative multiplayer.
Going through such an epic RPG with a friend is a rare treat and changes the way people tackle battles. Developer Larian Studios is currently working on Baldur's Gate 3.
12 Wasteland 3
Developer InXile Entertainment brought back the Wasteland series in 2014 with Wasteland 2, with Wasteland 3 coming six years later in 2020. Miraculously, every game in the trilogy is directed by Briand Fargo, an especially spectacular feat when considering the debut game came out in 1988.
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Wasteland 3 takes the action to a more snowy climate, but retains the immersive nature and punishing combat for which the series is known. With co-op available, two players can be on the same team, doing different quests at the same time, further complicating the way the world reacts to players' actions.
11 Baldur's Gate
Before reaching mainstream success with Mass Effect, developer BioWare stole the hearts of the niche RPG audience in the early part of the century with the Baldur's Gate series.
The first two games follow the Dungeons & Dragons rulebook and similarly allow for a high level of character customization. The first two games in the series were initially released on PC but are now available on most modern consoles, with a third released after a long break.
10 Kentucky Route Zero
Kentucky Route Zero is a more traditional adventure game, with no RPG mechanics or leveling up. The game was released in installments over the course of seven years from 2013 to 2020.
The story follows a truck driver named Conway. The art design, music, and narrative themes are all extremely striking and unique for the gaming medium. It's as if Thomas Pynchon and David Lynch collaborated on a video game.
