Info about ZERO PARADES: Director's Cut:

Official game description:
Director's Cut - Free Update!
=============================
*   **A NEW DRAMATIC ENCOUNTER, THE QUISACH ROUNDABOUT.** Hershel and Ramses attempt the deceptively difficult task of exiting a roundabout while extremely high. Miss the exit and a simple drive home descends into dangerous and potentially existential territory.
*   **NEW SCENES, DEEPER RELATIONSHIPS.** Nearly 40,000 words of new material give you more ways to build bonds with your friend and foe alike, find alternative ways to solve challenges, and delve deeper into your own embattled psyche.
*   **BACKSTAGE MODE.** Walk through earlier iterations of selected levels and see how the environments of ZERO PARADES evolved, with technical breakdowns, creative inspirations, cut content and stories narrated by the game's Art Director.
*   **COMPLETED AND REVISED ENGLISH VOICE-OVER.** Including a newly recorded opening alongside extensive audio revisions and fixes throughout the game.
*   **MORE OF PORTOFIRO.** New clothing, Reverie portraits, pedestrians, death screens and further visual and atmospheric additions.
*   **QUALITY OF LIFE AND ACCESSIBILITY.** Ultrawide support for 21:9 and 32:9 displays, inventory sorting, controller remapping and a new Photosensitivity Mode, alongside the broader refinements introduced since launch.
Gameplay Features
=================
*   **MAKE IT UP AS YOU GO ALONG.** Develop your espionage toolkit, carve your own path through a tangle of political intrigue with 15 unique skills. There's always another way, if you're willing to take it.
*   **CHANGE YOUR MIND.** Reorder your innermost thoughts to become the operant you want to be. Conditioning effects don't just change your character, they can change the rules of the game itself.
*   **SPLIT-SECOND DECISIONS.** Improvise your way through tense encounters with your enemies and rivals, with lasting consequences for you and your assignment.
*   **OPERANT UNDER PRESSURE.** Push yourself to your physical and mental limits to force the dice in your favour. Push too far, and you may leave lasting damage.
About the Game
==============
Brilliant, burnt-out, possibly cursed – you play as operant Hershel Wilk, alias CASCADE. Five years ago you led your team into the abyss and have been haunted by your failures ever since. Now you've been recalled for a mysterious assignment that may give you a chance to prove yourself again.
Uncover secrets hidden in the lost corners of the city and within your own mind. Navigate a murky world of potential informants and adversaries. Pass skill checks to uncover their true motivations through subterfuge, violence, or deduction. As an operant, there are multiple ways to approach every problem - your choices and methods will be your own, and so will the consequences.
Find yourself thrown into a three-way struggle for cultural and ideological power, played out across an unforgettable city. You'll go up against international bankers, foreign techno-fascists, psychic doppelgängers, a paranoid TV presenter, a man with a box for a heart, and dozens more. Everyone you meet has their own agendas, beliefs, and secrets for you to uncover and turn to your own ends. In ZERO PARADES, even the world itself is a character with its own secrets, traumas, and miracles for you to discover.
Operants subject themselves to years of psychological training to hone their minds into their greatest weapons. Do you favor animal-like reflexes, a philosophical approach, or a different cover story for every occasion? Through Conditioning, you'll turn the deepest aspects of Hershel's identity into potent abilities and unlock new paths forward. You can even change the rules of the game itself.
Pressures simulate the physical and psychological toll of being in-theatre. Exertion pushes dice rolls in your favour – just remember that you’re gambling with your life. Keep your Fatigue, Anxiety, and Delirium in check or deal with the long-term repercussions.
In this line of work you're going to fail way more often than you succeed. That much is expected of you. What matters is how you pick yourself back up. If the dice don't go your way (and they won't) you'll have to improvise and hope the consequences are ones you can live with.

Release date: May 21, 2026

Categories: CRPG, Narrative-driven, Espionage, Dialogue Choices Impact Story, Dice-based Gameplay, Multiple Endings, Character Progression, Inventory Management

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 5; verdict: Fair - No MTX Evidence; summary: The review set contains repeated debate over whether the game is a cash grab, but it does not describe a real-money shop, paid gacha, loot boxes, paid power, boosters, currency obfuscation, or aggressive FOMO mechanics. One negative review uses cash-grab language as a quality and studio-reputation criticism. Mentions of overpriced merchandise and phone ports concern prior Disco Elysium products rather than in-game monetization in this game. The evidence therefore supports a fair monetization assessment with no confirmed predatory mechanics.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: TIER 3: THE STUDENT; summary: The reviews primarily complain about insufficient in-game instructional and reference data: no adequate encyclopedia, glossary, journal review, or quest explanations. Players are forced to rely on external wikis that are themselves incomplete, making terminology, lore, and character recall difficult. There is no evidence of farming, drop-rate, loot-table, inventory, selling, blueprint, or crafting-requirement complaints, so the strict scoring hierarchy maps this to Tier 3.
- Proton/Linux: score 45; verdict: Mostly Functional with Steam Deck Instability; summary: Desktop Linux and Proton compatibility is generally positive: users report the game runs well through Proton, including on CachyOS with GE-Proton. The main Linux-specific problems are concentrated on Steam Deck and SteamOS, where reviews cite frequent crashes, a save-disabling bug, frame-rate drops, and asset pop-in. Some Deck users still report smooth or great performance, sometimes with an lsfg workaround, so the evidence indicates a mostly functional Linux experience with notable handheld instability rather than a broken Proton title.
- Steam Deck: score 78; verdict: Broken; summary: Steam Deck feedback is mixed: some users run the game smoothly through Proton or GE Proton, but multiple reviews report frequent crashes, Deck-specific instability, severe controller/input failures, frame drops, level pop-in, and imprecise UI clicking. The repeated crash evidence meets the Broken tier under the scoring criteria.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Across the six largest cohorts, most Windows and handheld players report generally playable performance, though stutter, pop-in, and occasional crashes recur. The high-VRAM Windows cohort is negative because both included reports mention significant stutter.
  - Sample size: 427 (12% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 119 reports): Most reports say the game is stable and playable on desktop, with some stutter, pop-in, and isolated crashes.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 89 reports): Most players report no major performance issues, though a few mention occasional frame drops or a single crash.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM (mixed, 73 reports): Some players report smooth, crash-free play, while others report frequent crashes and fixed frame drops on lower-end hardware.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM (positive, 56 reports): All included reports recommend the game and generally call performance okay, despite minor bugs, stutter, and some crashes.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (negative, 42 reports): Both included reports mention noticeable stutter, including significant Unity frame-timing stutter, despite high-end hardware.
  - Steam Deck / handheld (positive, 19 reports): Most reports say it runs well, with only occasional audio bugs, crashes, or stutter.
  - Caveats: 427 of 3568 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $25.00 - $35.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews show a split: some players say the game is worth full price because of its writing, length, and replay value, while many others describe the launch price near $40 as too high given bugs, unfinished elements, and unfavorable comparisons to Disco Elysium. Recurring recommendations to wait for a sale or buy only at a substantial discount pull the fair community value below the full launch price, while the positive full-price comments keep the upper end near the mid-$30s. A fair base-game range is therefore around $25-$35.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 44.0h
  - Story completion: 30.0h
  - Session length: 4.0h
  - Endgame: 5.0h
  - Reasoning: The explicit 44-hour first-playthrough report supports gameCompletion of about 44 hours. The translated review estimate of about 30 hours to finish the story supports storyCompletion of about 30 hours, while its 100% figure of about 70 hours shows completionist play can run much longer. The anecdote about four hours passing unnoticed supports a sessionLength of about 4 hours. Another review describes the final 5 hours as time-skipping and main skill-check cleanup, supporting endgame of about 5 hours. Playtime claims referring to other games were excluded.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The strongest pattern is a friction-heavy opening that later gives way to an engaging mystery and story. Some players report an immediate hook, but detailed reports most often describe enjoyment arriving after pushing through the early game.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After the early game
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Slow, dull, and difficult early game; Early progression and presentation issues, including broken choice logic; Confusion over new terms, factions, and names; Technical bugs and missing dialogue in the opening; Builds can be locked out of common skill checks, causing frustration; UI and navigation problems such as soft-locks and unresponsive clicks
  - Unlock drivers: Story development after the early game becomes thrilling; The game opens up after a slow start; The core mystery and skill-check consequences create a satisfying hook
  - Conditions: Patience with a slow, dull, and difficult early game; Tolerance for dense political and philosophical dialogue; Willingness to overlook early technical bugs and missing dialogue; Interest in the spy mystery and conspiracy; Preference for Disco Elysium-style skills and inner voices; Build choices that avoid being locked out of common skill checks; Acceptance of resource-management pressure and failed checks; Continued play into a second session
- Player Archetypes:
  - Disco Elysium Devotee (buy)
    - Motivation: To find a worthy spiritual successor to Disco Elysium's dialogue-heavy, idea-rich CRPG experience.
    - Playstyle: Compares systems and writing to Disco Elysium while playing through dialogue, checks, and character-driven roleplay.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Disco Elysium fan
    - Reference games: Disco Elysium
  - Narrative Reader and Choice-Driven Roleplayer (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience a text-rich story where reading, dialogue, and choices carry the play experience.
    - Playstyle: Reads heavily, follows dialogue branches, and roleplays decisions rather than optimizing combat or action.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: old-school role-player; casual player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Espionage and Cold War Lore Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: To inhabit a serious spy story with tradecraft, political intrigue, and Cold War atmosphere.
    - Playstyle: Engages with dialogue, political worldbuilding, and mission roleplay as an intelligence operative.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Mechanics-Focused CRPG Optimizer (sale)
    - Motivation: To master and critique the CRPG's check, thought, and build systems.
    - Playstyle: Analyzes skill checks, advantages, thought conditions, and min-max tradeoffs.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Disco Elysium


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Mechanical improvements over predecessor (weight 0.21): Gameplay mechanics are considered improved compared to Disco Elysium, with better check rolling, resource management, and more options.
- Compelling story and characters (weight 0.2): The narrative is described as compelling, captivating, and well-written, featuring interesting and complex characters.
- Phenomenal and immersive game (weight 0.19): Players describe the game as phenomenal, amazing, and overwhelmingly immersive, indicating high overall satisfaction.
- Stunning art style (weight 0.19): Reviewers consistently highlight the art as stunning, gorgeous, and top-notch, with a beautiful and fantastic art style.
- Outstanding voice acting (weight 0.17): The voice acting is frequently praised as phenomenal, beautiful, and immersive, with great performances from all characters.
- Enjoyable and fun experience (weight 0.14): Many players report having a great time, finding the game fun, enjoyable, and engaging to get lost in.
- Objectively good game (weight 0.13): Reviewers consider it objectively good, well-made, and above average, with quality that stands on its own merits.
- Memorable and engaging characters (weight 0.13): Characters are frequently described as memorable, distinct, lovable, and engaging, making players care about their fate.
- Engaging spy thriller narrative (weight 0.1): The spy thriller genre is well-executed, with cool twists and turns that are captivating without becoming convoluted.
- More engaging than Disco Elysium (weight 0.08): Some reviewers find the game more entertaining, fluid, and engaging than Disco Elysium, particularly as the story unfolds.
- Excellent RPG overall (weight 0.07): Reviewers hail it as a wonderful and excellent RPG, especially appreciated in a market starved for good RPGs.
- Beautiful music and atmosphere (weight 0.06): The music is praised as beautiful, pleasant, and a masterpiece that enhances the atmosphere.
- Excellent writing quality (weight 0.06): The writing is outstanding, top-notch, and excellently executed, contributing to the game's narrative strength.

Common complaints:
- Characters less interesting (weight 0.37): Players find the characters, including the protagonist and heroine, less memorable and less well-developed compared to those in Disco Elysium.
- Writing quality is weaker (weight 0.35): The writing is frequently criticized as less sharp, less creative, and less engaging than Disco Elysium's, with awkward text and shallower dialogue.
- Soundtrack is forgettable (weight 0.21): The music is widely considered unmemorable, lacking the iconic compositions of Disco Elysium, and often described as bland ambient noise.
- Lacks Disco Elysium's soul (weight 0.17): Many feel the game misses the emotional resonance, introspective quality, and free-exploration feel that defined Disco Elysium, leaving it without the same magic or charm.
- Ending is rushed and unsatisfying (weight 0.15): The ending is criticized as abrupt, poorly paced, messy, and predetermined, with major choices having little impact on the outcome.
- Voice acting is subpar (weight 0.15): The voice acting, particularly the narrator, is often described as grating, poorly cast, or inferior to Disco Elysium's.
- Tries too hard to imitate (weight 0.13): The game attempts to emulate Disco Elysium but often feels forced, like a parody or a derivative remake, which diminishes its originality and impact.
- Story lacks depth and focus (weight 0.12): The narrative is seen as less cohesive, with a vague plot and less attention to the protagonist's internal world compared to Disco Elysium.
- Slow and boring pacing (weight 0.09): Progress feels slow and the game becomes uninteresting after the first few hours, with boring phases and unexciting actions.
- Dice rolls feel rigged (weight 0.08): Players report that dice rolls often fail despite high success chances, making the game feel unfair and frustrating.
- Bugs and technical issues (weight 0.07): The game suffers from various bugs, including critical ones, that detract from the experience.
- Choices have little impact (weight 0.07): Dialogue options and political choices often yield identical responses, and checks sometimes have no effect, reducing replayability.
- Plot twists less impactful (weight 0.05): The plot twists and revelations are not as mind-blowing as those in the predecessor, lacking the spark that made the original memorable.
- Lacks localization and accessibility (weight 0.04): The game is only available in English, lacking subtitles or localization for other languages, which limits accessibility.
- Poor map navigation (weight 0.04): The map is difficult to navigate and leaves a lot to be desired.
- Less challenging gameplay (weight 0.04): The game is considered shallower and less challenging than Disco Elysium, lacking depth in its mechanics.
- NPCs know too much (weight 0.04): NPCs seem to immediately know the protagonist is a spy and what they are doing, which feels unrealistic and breaks immersion.
- Missing audio effects (weight 0.03): Some lines are missing radio effects or other audio cues, reducing immersion.
- Commercial failure noted (weight 0.03): Some reviewers mention that the game failed commercially, though this is not a gameplay critique.

Gameplay feedback:
- Espionage theme central (weight 0.22): The game is widely described as a spy thriller with conspiracies, investigation, and political intrigue. Players take on the role of a spy, and espionage mechanics are central to the experience.
- Dice roll skill checks (weight 0.22): Skill checks are resolved via dice rolls, often with percentage success chances. This mechanic is frequently mentioned as a core part of gameplay.
- Disco Elysium comparison (weight 0.16): Many reviewers compare the game's mechanics and storytelling to Disco Elysium, noting similarities in narrative-driven CRPG design and skills. Some feel the game closely imitates its aesthetics and structure.
- Narrative-driven CRPG (weight 0.13): The game is a narrative-driven RPG/CRPG with quests, dialogues, and a strong focus on story. It is also described as a visual novel-like CRPG.
- Multiple endings and branches (weight 0.12): The game offers multiple endings accessible through branch points, and tasks can be resolved in various ways across playthroughs.
- Mental state mechanics (weight 0.11): Fatigue, anxiety, and delirium are tracked as state scales that affect checks and gameplay. These mechanics add depth to the roleplaying system.
- Dialogue choices and skill checks (weight 0.09): Dialogue choices and skill-based checks are abundant, allowing players to roleplay and approach situations in multiple ways.
- Clothing affects skills (weight 0.09): Clothing and accessories provide bonuses or penalties to skills, and players can select outfits to maximize specific skills for checks.
- Protagonist named Cascade (weight 0.09): The main character is named Cascade, and players assume the role of this spy protagonist. Minor characters like Goat Eyes are also mentioned.
- Thought Cabinet system (weight 0.08): The game features a Thought Cabinet system where players can internalize or repress thoughts, each with gameplay effects and narrative messages.
- Text-heavy narrative (weight 0.07): The game is text-heavy with a large amount of reading, including long dialogues and story writing. This appeals to players who enjoy narrative depth.
- RPG system with skills (weight 0.07): The game features a roleplaying system with skills, charisma, and dialogue systems, enabling character builds and skill checks.
- Political and social themes (weight 0.05): The game includes political discussions and social-economic themes, with a large cast of characters contributing to the narrative.
- Skill points can be lost (weight 0.05): Skill points can be lost if mental states are overwhelmed, adding a consequence to the mental state mechanics.

Performance notes:
- Runs great on Steam Deck (weight 0.04): Multiple players report that the game runs well on Steam Deck, especially when using lsfg.
- Graphics and interface bugs (weight 0.02): Players encounter numerous graphical and user interface bugs that affect the experience.
- Steam Deck stutters and texture issues (weight 0.02): Some Steam Deck users experience stuttering and texture loading problems.
- Location-specific lag (weight 0.02): Optimization issues cause consistent lag in specific alleys within certain locations.
- Audio glitches (weight 0.02): Players report audio glitches that disrupt the sound experience.
- Demanding performance on Steam Deck (weight 0.02): Certain players had to play on low settings to achieve acceptable performance on Steam Deck.
- Voice acting errors in update (weight 0.02): The director's cut update introduced misread lines in the voice acting.
- Inventory screen stuttering (weight 0.02): Repeated use of the inventory optimization feature causes the inventory screen to stutter.
- Missing voice lines (weight 0.02): Some voice lines are missing or fail to play during dialogue.
- Model inconsistency with portraits (weight 0.02): 3D character models do not match their 2D depictions in the game.

Recommendations:
- Comparable to Disco Elysium (weight 0.42): Many reviewers recommend the game specifically to fans of Disco Elysium, often calling it a must-play for those who enjoyed that title.
- Strong overall recommendation (weight 0.19): Numerous reviews give a strong, unconditional recommendation to play the game, often with high praise.
- Not as good as Disco Elysium (weight 0.13): Some players warn that the game does not match the original Disco Elysium in quality and advise against expecting the same experience.
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.07): Some reviewers suggest waiting for a discount before purchasing, indicating the game may not be worth full price for everyone.
- Manage expectations regarding Disco Elysium (weight 0.07): Advice is given to approach the game without expecting it to be another Disco Elysium, as it is a different experience.
- Appeals to narrative RPG fans (weight 0.05): Reviewers highlight that the game is highly recommended for those who enjoy narrative-driven RPGs.
- Recommend for genre fans (weight 0.05): Several reviews recommend the game to fans of the genre, without specifying a particular genre.
- Good for RPG lovers (weight 0.04): Reviewers state that RPG enthusiasts should definitely play this game, calling it an excellent RPG.
- Worth playing despite flaws (weight 0.04): Even with some flaws, reviewers find the game still worth playing through.
- Worth full price (weight 0.03): A few reviewers feel the game is worth the full asking price.
- Give it a chance (weight 0.03): Some reviews simply encourage players to give the game a try.
- Simply buy it (weight 0.03): A couple of reviews just say to buy the game without further elaboration.

Other player notes:
- Frequent Disco Elysium comparisons (weight 0.99): Reviewers overwhelmingly compare this game to Disco Elysium, often as an unavoidable reference point. Opinions range from viewing it as inferior to considering it equally good or better.
- Strong spiritual successor (weight 0.71): A significant portion of reviewers consider the game a worthy successor or Disco-like that stands on its own merits. Some even rank it on par with or above Disco Elysium.
- Inferior to Disco Elysium (weight 0.54): Many reviewers find the game weaker than Disco Elysium in writing, emotional engagement, narrative depth, and humor. Some describe it as a poor imitation lacking the original's spirit.
- Similar style and mechanics (weight 0.42): Reviewers note shared art direction, watercolor aesthetics, writing style, and gameplay systems with Disco Elysium. The game retains a similar bittersweet atmosphere and narrative structure.
- Same studio or developers (weight 0.18): The game is associated with ZA/UM and described as made by many of the same people behind Disco Elysium. However, some reviewers clarify it is not from the exact same team.
- Around 20 to 50 hours (weight 0.11): Playtime varies significantly, with the main story taking roughly 20 to 24 hours and some reviewers spending nearly 50 hours. The game offers substantial narrative content.
- Director's Cut available (weight 0.1): A Director's Cut version exists with additional content and new scenes. Some reviewers mention it as an enhanced or expanded release.
- Espionage instead of police (weight 0.09): The game is a spy thriller set in Portofino, distinguishing its premise from Disco Elysium's detective setting. Reviewers highlight this different backdrop as a notable variation.
- Narrator can be disabled (weight 0.04): Players have the option to turn off the narrator's voice in the menu. This quality-of-life feature is noted as a positive accessibility choice.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.16): Players are disappointed by the game's failure to match Disco Elysium's writing depth, memorable characters, and satisfying narrative payoff. The weak, rushed ending and lack of meaningful consequences for choices are major letdowns. Many also cite poor localization, underwhelming music, and a story that feels like a hollow imitation of its predecessor.
- Frustration (weight 0.12): Frustration stems from pervasive bugs, including game-breaking ones that force restarts, and a clunky dice system with seemingly rigged probabilities. Poor navigation, confusing quest logs, and unclear leveling mechanics further hinder the experience. The forced connection to studio drama and divisive discourse also sour players.
- Admiration (weight 0.08): Admirers praise the game's exceptional writing, thematic depth, and stunning art style, often comparing it favorably to Disco Elysium. The compelling spy narrative, complex characters like CASCADE, and immersive world-building are highlighted as standout achievements. Many consider it a masterful evolution of the CRPG genre with a unique soul.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.07): Players enjoy the game's engaging writing, intriguing world, and fun characters, often finding it a worthy spiritual successor despite some flaws. The moment-to-moment gameplay, philosophical concepts, and spy atmosphere provide a rich and entertaining experience. Many appreciate the freedom to express themselves and the rewarding exploration.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Appreciation focuses on the game's strong character development, improved mechanics, and compelling story that stands on its own. The art style, voice acting, and atmospheric world-building are frequently commended. Players value the balanced challenge and the depth of the narrative, which resonates emotionally.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): Annoyance is driven by grating voice acting, especially for the narrator and protagonist, and tedious mechanics like constant clothing swaps for skill checks. Low dice roll success chances and reloading to pass checks add to the irritation. Visual clutter, missing voice lines, and pretentious writing also detract from the experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Satisfied players feel the game successfully fills the void left by Disco Elysium, offering improved mechanics and a gripping spy story. The resource management, espionage elements, and meaningful dialogue choices provide a sense of accomplishment. Many consider it a great spiritual successor that exceeds expectations in several areas.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.03): Enthusiasm is high for the game's phenomenal voice acting, witty writing, and compelling spy-thriller narrative. Players are hooked by the refined skill checks, endearing NPCs, and the sheer amount of philosophical dialogue. Many rank it above Disco Elysium and eagerly anticipate more playthroughs and the Director's Cut.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement comes from innovative gameplay like reversible locations, thrilling espionage sequences, and impactful plot twists. Players are eager to replay immediately to explore different choices and builds, and they praise the boss battles and epic action moments. The game's ability to raise heart rates and deliver satisfying conclusions fuels this excitement.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom arises from excessive lore dumps, long-winded monologues, and tedious dialogue that feels like padding. The story and worldbuilding are often described as unengaging, with slow progress and a lack of action sequences. Many players find the political discussions and internal monologues dull and difficult to stay focused on.
- Immersion (weight 0.02): Immersion is achieved through the game's thick, cinematic atmosphere, detailed descriptions, and impactful decisions. Players feel sucked into a vortex of intrigue and espionage, with the audiovisual presentation and storytelling pulling them in completely. The need to manage emotional resources and the hostile environment enhance the sense of being a spy.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players express deep love for the game's characters, voice acting, and story beats, often comparing it favorably to Disco Elysium. The complexity of the world-building, the passion of the developers, and the engaging gameplay create a strong emotional connection. Many are surprised by how much they love a game they initially expected to refund.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement is generated by the game's witty dialogue, absurd situations, and humorous references. Players laugh at the clumsy spy antics, funny hats, and characters who suspect they are in a video game. Moments like dying from a falling vending machine or losing a skill to anxiety provide genuine comedic relief.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.02): Mild disappointment stems from the game not reaching the depth of Disco Elysium in areas like soundtrack, worldbuilding, and prose quality. While still enjoyable, players note that the humor falls flat at times and the game lacks a certain touch that made the predecessor special. The absence of the original team is also felt.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Engagement is driven by a gripping plot full of twists, meaningful choices, and a world that invites deep understanding. The game pulls players in so completely that they lose track of time and feel propelled by the story. The natural conversations and crisis decision-making moments keep players invested.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness is felt when the game ends, leaving players thinking about it for weeks and feeling a sense of loss. The themes of doom and pity, combined with the studio's troubles and the game's overlooked status, contribute to a lingering sorrow. Players are sad to leave the characters and world behind.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from opaque character creation, cryptic perks, and a narrative that lacks clear anchors for what the player should be doing. The fatigue system and the feeling of being railroaded add to the bewilderment. Global politics and cultural factions further disconnect players from the context.
- Attachment (weight 0.01): Players become deeply attached to the characters, especially the NPCs, and find themselves thinking about them long after finishing. The city of Portofilo and its inhabitants grow on them, and they miss characters like Kim from the predecessor. The engaging story fosters a strong emotional bond with the game's world.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is felt over abrupt character storylines, unsaveable characters, and the game's inability to become its own identity. Some regret buying the game without knowing about the developer change, and the protagonist's using-and-discarding attitude leaves a bitter taste. Sales not meeting expectations also contributes to a sense of regret.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed for a sequel or spinoffs that allow players to revisit the characters and world. Players hope the studio continues making games in this format and visual style, treats employees better, and overcomes its difficulties. There is also hope that Kurvitz can start anew and that the team survives to produce more content.}