An expansion to the best RPG Disco Elysium: Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was denied classification in Australia earlier this year. The classification refusal prohibits domestic sales only and prevents stores from stocking physical editions, but digital storefronts operated overseas remain in a gray area, which could go either way at seemingly random.

That even after fighting to obtain an R18+ rating for a video game, one featuring a status-enhancing drug (in "Disco Elysium," ingesting speed improves athletic performance and spirit, but also has negative effects) is denied classification, This is a shameful failure of Australian law. Now Za/um Studios has applied for a review of this refusal on April 16, but the refusal was overturned and the rating changed to an R18+ rating.

The Australian Film Classification Board is usually blamed for such decisions, but they are limited by the rules they are obliged to follow. The real problem is that, thanks to the quirks of Australian law, changing those rules would require the cooperation of state governments. Until that happens, the cycle will repeat itself. The Board, as required by the regulations, will initially deny classification, then overturn its decision in response to changes or applications by developers, and then, as in this case, re-examine the case.

The document explaining the revised decision is interesting once you get past the boilerplate and is clearly written by people who understand "Disco Elysian". They write that the work includes drug use and explores the theme of addiction, but that "the theme relates to a detective's attempt to manage his own alcoholism and reclaim his life after substance abuse while investigating a murder." Themes and references to drugs are inextricably linked". The conclusion states that "the complex and subtle presentation of the subject matter is tailored to a mature audience for storytelling. Frankly, if you give me a score at the end, it's a review to be proud of.