Spoilers below
Disco Elysium’s writing is universally praised as one of the best pieces of literature in video game history. However, many found its surprise ending lackluster when compared to the rest of the game. It is a perfect ending thematically, encapsulating its complex blend of nihilism and hope; however, as a video game, the anti-climactic resolution and lack of alternate endings stifle replay value.
Still, the game is best experienced with multiple playthroughs, experimenting with builds, and deviating from past choices. If you want to see variations of the ending debrief with Jean and the rest of the posse, there are five key moments that define the ending:
The Case
The core gameplay loop of Disco Elysium invites you to solve the murder investigation at your own pace and discretion. Gather clues, chase leads, eliminate suspects, the usual workday of a detective. In between solving crime, there are side cases to solve, a forgotten past to uncover, and political uprisings to instigate. These also affect your final conversation.
- It is important to establish the facts of the main case, especially the motive of the killer.
- How you handled some side quests affect the ending, like the dead man on the boardwalk.
- Jean doesn’t care about everything, like the cursed commercial area and the hole in the church.
Behavior
Disco Elysium’s slogan is the freedom to role-play as a hero or an absolute disaster of a human being. Though it is extremely fun to explore the plethora of ways to manifest the latter, that doesn’t mean you’re also free from repercussions. Jean asks Kim to comment on your behavior. As expected from him he lays down an honest assessment and doesn’t pull back his verbal punches.
- It is a good look if you could play Harry straight and sober. No drugs and alcohol.
- It is also important to find your missing badge and gun.
- Kim will also comment on your political ideologies, copotype, and even how well you performed singing karaoke.
Mercenary Tribunal
The Mercenary Tribunal is when the story reaches an explosive climax. After the encounter with Ruby, the mercenaries are found confronting the Hardie Boys in front of the Whirling Rags. The RCM steps in as peace brokers but quickly finds out that the mercenaries want retribution for the death of their commander. Drunk and heavily armed, peace won’t cut it for them. Save who you can and make it out alive.
- Come prepared. Find the two bullets around Martinaise and equip your gun or the Molotov. Take drugs to raise your skills, especially for Motorics, and equip any piece of T-500 armor on you.
- As Rhetoric would advise, don’t immediately resort to violence; exhaust the other dialogue options to throw them off their game.
- The Rhetoric and Suggestion red checks help make the first important check easier, a Hand-Eye Coordination check to shoot Kortenaer. You could throw the spirit bomb instead.
- A Reaction Speed check is the second important hurdle. Passing it will let you dodge out of the way of a bullet meant for you. The T-500 cuirass could also soak the hit. If successful, Kim will take an impressive shot at Ruud, killing him instantly.
- Pass an Authority check to warn Kim about de Paule aiming at him. If Kim really trusts you this increases your chances.
- The Tribunal will always end in bloodshed; it’s just a question of how many have to die. The answer is four if you played your cards right. Achieving this will merit a more positive response during the debriefing.
Photo of the cryptid
Lena discusses cryptids on the second day of the investigation. They are insects so exceedingly rare, that many assume them to be extinct. For most people, including Kim, they might as well be fictitious. Yet, you can choose to pursue this tangent to the very end, even helping Morell with his traps, much to the dismay of your partner. It yields no results. So you forget about it and move on with the case.
Near the end, after wrapping up your conversation with the killer, the Insulindian Phasmid appears from the reeds. It exists—and it has significant bearing to the case you’re solving as well as your defense to Jean.
- Requires a successful Electrochemistry check to talk to the phasmid, it will always fail if Morell hasn’t sprayed you with the pheromones.
- Kim needs to be present to take the photo. If not, there is no evidence of its existence.
An Alternate Ending
During the Mercenary Tribunal, if you fail to warn Kim about de Paule he gets shot and slumps on you as you both pass out. When you wake up two days later you’re greeted with a familiar punchable face informing that Kim has passed away. Don’t worry he’s alive, it’s just Cuno’s idea of a sick joke. Also, he’s your partner now for the last stretch of the game.
- Different interactions on the last segment of the game; technically an alternate ending.
- Unlike Kim who avoids the crossfire, Cuno backs Harry up and aggressively cusses out Jean during the debrief.
- Make it official and recruit Cuno to precinct 41
What makes Disco Elysium’s writing so impeccably engaging is its commitment to progressing the story despite failure. With that in mind, don’t be afraid to roll with the strange punches during these key moments to experience the game in a new light.
