Disco Elysium's controversial mobile port is out now, and it's proving divisive

There are few games that live in my head rent-free. I often think about Before Your Eyes, a tear-jerking narrative adventure played entirely by blinking. Citizen Sleeper also pops into my head relatively regularly. And then there's Disco Elysium. I've run out of superlatives for Studio ZA/UM's detective RPG masterpiece, but the game has been marred in recent years by explosive divisions within the development team, which has led to the original creators leaving the studio. The true story is far more complex and much of it likely hidden from the public, but, as a result, the Disco Elysium mobile port- which released today with little fanfare - has been met with derision.

After leaks showed a sequel starring Cuno, the game's most misunderstood character, had been scrapped, players all but turned on ZA/UM. However, Disco Elysium Mobile, which released today, is better than many will give it credit for.

There are plenty of limitations, but this is a reimagining of the Revacholian story. You start by picking one of three classes: sensitive, thinker, or physical. From then on, the story seems fairly linear but true to the original. The art is that same painterly style, albeit quite desaturated, but from a point-and-click perspective rather than Disco's isometric view. The voicework, the excellent soundtrack, the conversations with your cursed necktie, it all remains. This may not be one of the best RPG games ever made, but it's not a terrible reimagining.

A lot of players are complaining about the monetization, however. While the game is free to download, there is only so much you can play before you're charged to keep playing. It seems like this is a one-time fee of $9.99 / £9.99 for the whole game, which doesn't seem expensive. It's the fact that it's hidden within the game that has irked players, though.

I still don't really understand who Disco Elysium Mobile is for, but it is certainly one of the games that exists. And, if nothing else, it's free to try out so you can make your own mind up about how it approaches the original game's art style, dialogue, and ideological roleplaying freedom.

If you're not a fan of the mobile version and have played through the original game too recently for a replay, why not try out some of the best indie games instead? Alternatively, take your pick from our choices for the best PC games of all time. Be warned: Disco doesn't make the list. Don't worry, I'll give the writer a stern talking to before the end of the day.

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