ZA/UM's Disco Elysium was originally released in 2019 to critical acclaim and wide levels of fan appreciation. The game is considered by many to be a pure role-playing experience, with a host of choices and developmental opportunities for the protagonist. The developer, ZA/UM, has been open about the influence of the role-playing game classic, Planescape: Torment, whose impact can be seen early on with the amnesiac player character. Disco Elysium had a variety of influences, from TV shows like The Wire to the artistic works of Rembrandt, and there are some characteristics in common with David Lynch's Twin Peaks as well.
The game recently enjoyed some further success with the release of Disco Elysium: The Final Cut. This update added more character and voice acting to the game, in addition to several sociopolitical quests. This is a free update for players who have previously bought the game on PC, and it's a brand new release for PlayStation 4 and 5. There is a whole new audience experiencing the game for the first time, and perhaps more gamers who are spotting the links between it and Twin Peaks. In several ways, Disco Elysium takes influence and shares similarities with the iconic TV show while remaining wholly unique.
Disco Elysium's Paranormal Aspects
One of the most immediate similarities between Disco Elysium and Twin Peaks is the emphasis on the paranormal. During the opening of Disco Elysium, players experience the supernatural elements in full force with the protagonist's body and mind trying to wake him from his stupor. Conversations with parts of the character's mind and body, in addition to hallucinations and all manner of strange happenings. With Disco Elysium now being available on PlayStation and Stadia, some gamers are experiencing its surreal themes for the first time.
Much like the celebrated Twin Peaks, Disco Elysium embraces the bizarre with varying degrees, depending on a gamer's play style. Disco Elysium mirrors the premise of Twin Peaks in some respects. Both the game and the show follow a law enforcement official who is charged with investigating a murder while also dealing with peculiar events happening in the central location. The relationship between the paranormal and the core objective in Disco Elysium could be appealing to fans of Twin Peaks.
Weird and Wonderful Characters
Disco Elysium boasts a well-received narrative structure, and a crucial element of it is the cast of characters. There is a wide variety of characters in the game who possess wildly different personalities, outlooks, and unique styles. The inhabitants of Revachol are comparable to those in Twin Peaks in some key ways.
Often these characters will express themselves in seemingly vague ways and have complex interpersonal connections to each other. Some characters will help the heroes outright, but often they want to look after their own self-interests or simply perplex the protagonists. The denizens of Revachol in Disco Elysium and Twin Peaks are intricate creations, often characterized through unconventional and surreal means.
It's a Murder Mystery
For all the surreal elements, imbibing, and adult activities possible in Disco Elysium, it's a murder mystery at its core much like Twin Peaks. Beneath the surface of unhinged individuals and surrealist moments lies a murder case that needs to be solved, and that's true for both Disco Elysium and Twin Peaks. The protagonist of Disco Elysium is in stark contrast with the professionalism of Dale Cooper in Twin Peaks, but both heroes must navigate an outlandish world to complete their main mission.
While the challenges are different, both the game and the TV show revolve around a murder mystery situation embellished with fantastical flair. For those who enjoy a good mystery game, Disco Elysium could sate that appetite as well.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is a great way for new players to experience the critically-acclaimed RPG game. The new content and release on more platforms provide a great excuse to jump into the game. For fans of TV, players might find some similarities with Twin Peaks. Members of the development team are said to be huge fans, and that influence shines through in certain areas. The paranormal events, cast of strange characters, and central mystery strike a lot of the same chords as Twin Peaks while retaining a unique identity. While the game and TV show are different and original, there are some common characteristics between them.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Stadia.