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ZA/UM business and news from across the web.- ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies ReviewsZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies, an espionage-themed RPG from the developers of Disco Elysium, has received its reviews. The game is available now.
- Zero Parades: For Dead Spies review – The game that came in from the coldZero Parades: For Dead Spies is a narrative-driven game that explores the complexities of spy fiction, drawing comparisons to Disco Elysium. Players step into the shoes of Hershel Wilk, a former spy called back into service, navigating a world of mystery, dialogue, and psychological stats like Fatigue, Anxiety, and Delirium. Despite its similarities to Disco Elysium and the challenges presented by its mechanics, the game is praised for its writing and engaging gameplay loop, making it a worthwhile experience that encourages replayability.
Zero Parades is a beautiful Disco Elysium follow-up, but not a very good spy gameZero Parades, the follow-up to Disco Elysium from developer ZA/UM, is a text-heavy isometric RPG that struggles to commit to its espionage theme. While it features a beautiful world, upgraded UI, and interesting mechanics like fatigue and conditioning, its narrative approach often undermines the spy gameplay. The game's protagonist, Hershel Wilk, is more interested in personal angst than covert operations, leading to a disconnect between the game's mechanics and its stated genre.
Round Up: Disco Elysium's Controversial 'Sequel' Met with Rave ReviewsZero Parades: For Dead Spies, the spiritual successor to Disco Elysium, has launched on PC and is receiving generally positive reviews, with an aggregate score of 83 on Metacritic. While many critics praise its engaging characters and meaningful choices, some note that it struggles to fully live up to the high expectations set by its predecessor. The game is also slated for a PlayStation 5 release later this year.
This week in PC games: Tokyo-drifting in Forza Horizon 6, communist grifting in Disco Elysium follow-up Zero Parades, or dystopia tifting in puzzle game PhonopolisThis week's PC game releases include Forza Horizon 6 set in Tokyo, ZA/UM's espionage title Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, and the puzzle game Phonopolis. Other notable releases span various genres, from train simulators and naval combat to shmups and turn-based tactics.
Zero Parades For Dead Spies review - ZA/UM's spy drama stands strong, but doesn't escape Disco Elysium's shadowZero Parades: For Dead Spies offers a compelling spy drama with strong TTRPG elements, though its narrator lacks the distinctiveness of Disco Elysium's. The game explores themes of capitalism, colonialism, friendship, and betrayal, featuring a unique bald spot-touching mechanic for buffs and a turn-based dramatic encounter system. Despite some missing voiceover and a less varied narrator, the game stands as a distinct and often humorous experience.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies Review – Luck and SkillZero Parades: For Dead Spies is a critically acclaimed RPG that offers a unique take on espionage, focusing on player choice, consequence, and the psychological toll of spycraft. Despite minor technical issues and a lackluster soundtrack, the game is praised for its powerful prose, fleshed-out characters, kinetic narrative, and stunning art direction, making it a worthy follow-up to Disco Elysium.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies review: "Being built from Disco Elysium's bones is a blessing and a curse for this spy RPG"Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, a spy-fi RPG from ZA/UM, is a spiritual successor to Disco Elysium, sharing many of its narrative and systemic elements. While it offers rich writing and a compelling story, it struggles to escape the shadow of its predecessor, leading to a sense of familiarity and occasional clumsiness. The game features a more malleable protagonist and interesting character relationships, but its tone can sometimes feel like an imitation rather than an evolution.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies review - it's the RPG we don't deserveZero Parades: For Dead Spies, the latest RPG from Disco Elysium studio ZA/UM, offers a deep dive into themes of consumerism, empire, and nostalgia through its text-heavy, dice-driven mechanics. Players embody a disgraced spy named Cascade, navigating the complex socio-economic landscape of Portofiro while confronting personal mistakes and unraveling a conspiracy. The game is praised for its intricate world-building, sharp writing, and the way it personalizes postcolonial conflict through its mechanics and narrative.
ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies Review — Tinker Tailor Existential Spy | Console CreaturesZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies is a compelling sci-fi spy RPG from ZA/UM, offering a narrative experience that builds upon the foundations of Disco Elysium. The game features sharp writing, engaging choices, and a gorgeous art style, though it suffers from some performance inconsistencies on the Steam Deck. Despite technical issues, the title successfully delivers a deep and meaningful experience.- Zero Parades: For Dead Spies Review – Cascading ChoicesZero Parades: For Dead Spies is an RPG that largely follows the blueprint of Disco Elysium, focusing on dialogue, choices, and skill checks rather than combat. While it struggles to escape the shadow of its predecessor and some of its mechanics feel less defined, the game offers a compelling spy narrative with a richly realized setting and an engaging protagonist. The game introduces new mechanics like managing ailments tied to different faculties, adding a more gamified approach to failure and risk-taking.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is both bootleg Disco Elysium and a spirited interrogation of fake culture in all its guisesZero Parades: For Dead Spies is analyzed as a game deeply concerned with themes of authenticity, bootlegs, and cultural erasure, drawing parallels to Disco Elysium. The game explores how imported media from a 'techno-fascist' state like La Luz can overwrite local culture, while also satirizing both the purism of old guard artists and the elitism of rare format vendors. Despite its thematic depth and engaging writing, the article notes that the game's mechanics, particularly the 'Pressure' system, feel less organic than Disco Elysium's, and the protagonist's internal struggles are presented more as literary references than deeply felt experiences.
The Best PC Games To Play In 2026This guide highlights the best PC games available in 2026, spanning various genres and including both recent releases and enduring live-service titles. The list emphasizes games that run well on PC, with considerations for hardware and accessibility, and notes that many titles are also playable on devices like the Steam Deck.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies Review - Cascading ChoicesZero Parades: For Dead Spies is a richly detailed RPG that, while at times imitating Disco Elysium, stands on its own with a compelling narrative and unique mechanics. The game features a spy thriller tone, a complex world in the city of Portofiro, and a systemic approach to character ailments that adds a layer of strategic depth. Despite occasional moments that feel like imitation, its strong writing and interconnected quests make it a captivating experience.
Hello from Eurogamer's new editor-in-chiefChris Tapsell has been appointed the new editor-in-chief of Eurogamer, expressing his honor and commitment to the website's future. He reflects on the site's history, its unique culture, and outlines his vision for its news, reviews, guides, features, and opinion sections, emphasizing quality journalism and reader engagement.- Fyra FZHS-spel har deadline – gissa innan midnattFour games have upcoming deadlines for voting on FZ High Score: Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, Thick as Thieves, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Players must submit their score predictions before midnight. The article also mentions other games with upcoming deadlines and provides links to rules and past results.
- High Score blir farligare med BoostFZ High Score introduces 'High Score Boost,' a new feature that increases potential points for correctly guessing the scores of games with uncertain outcomes. The first game to receive this boost is Zero Parades from Disco Elysium developers ZA/UM, highlighting the risk-reward system for participants.
10 Best RPGs on Steam to play in 2026This article lists and describes ten of the best role-playing games available on Steam, suitable for playing in 2026. It highlights titles such as Baldur's Gate 3, Disco Elysium, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Fallout: New Vegas, detailing their unique features, gameplay mechanics, and suitability for platforms like the Steam Deck.- The studio that (technically) made Disco Elysium just dropped a trailer for its new gameThe studio behind Disco Elysium, ZA/UM, has released a trailer for their new game, For Dead Spies. The game is set to launch on May 21. This announcement marks a new project from the acclaimed indie developer.
Solo Gamer's 2026 Playbook: 15 Games Worth Playing | TAGThis guide highlights 15 games in 2026 that are ideal for solo players, emphasizing experiences with no multiplayer pressure or mandatory online components. The list includes titles ranging from short narrative adventures like What Remains of Edith Finch to expansive RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring, catering to various playtimes and preferences. It also provides principles for choosing games that respect solo play, such as avoiding battle passes and prioritizing offline compatibility.