If you've followed our December coverage, you'll know we are big fans of Cyberpunk 2077 and the dystopian vision it conveys. It is a delight to explore the impact of technocommodification on human nature and consciousness, through a narrative packed with interesting concepts: digital ghosts, reincarnated CEOs, AI superminds & cybermadness. There is some significant conceptual overlap: both games take as a primary concern the total effacement of human identity, dissolution of the subject position as the Real encroaches (due to technosingularity or alchoholism). But Cyberpunk wraps all this in conventional AAA open world package that can detract from the very worldbuilding that makes the game special. Disco Elysium is an enlightening counter-experience, demonstrating that the same caliber of worldbuilding is possible with mechanically-streamlined, experimental gameplay inspired by tabletop RPGs.

 

Thanks to @Kybitzed (on YouTube) for the following incredible video, which inspired the train of thought we pursue in this episode https://youtu.be/1YNYVfES7BA