No, of course not, it's lauded. I love it too, but it's a slow burn and most modern gamers don't have the attention span.

“DAE like critically-acclaimed, heavily advertised video games?”

I've never heard a bad thing about it. I'm stillplaying through, it's remarkable. I'm having a little trouble with the map, though.

I loved the game, myself, but I don't often recommend it to people because of all the controversy around the creators of the game being fired and no longer having any control over the game.

However, there was recently an UpIsNotJump video reviewing (I guess?) the game and it goes above and beyond. I've used his videos to convince people to try out games before-- maybe it would help you convince your friends to give it another try.

Link here; it skips the cereal ad at the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXqXgGHRNkc&t=85s

Heh, that’s me but in reverse.

Literally everyone I know is in love with the game. Have posters up and everything.

I bought it and started playing it, and even enjoyed it, but I just can’t make it past the first hour or two. I prefer games with a balance between exciting gameplay and rich narrative. I want to feel like I’m in the world, not just observing it and giving bad advice to one of its characters.

I think the game is super well done for what it is, though

might be a friend group thing. more or less everyone i know that has either played it or watched a playthrough loves disco elysium

I really enjoyed Disco Elysium. It’s one of the best text-driven RPG games out there.

I couldn't get any of my friends to play it either. But a few did watch me play it and thoroughly enjoyed the funny things that happened.

It's my favorite game ever made. The writing is beyond good, and it actually has some fantastic messages while also addressing the political realities of life.

No other game has affected how I think and act more than disco Elysium.