ZA/UM
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ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies Released
The espionage RPG ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies, developed by ZA/UM, is now available on Windows PC via the Epic Games Store, GOG.com, and Steam. The game is from the same studio that created Disco Elysium.
Hopetown Drops Gameplay Teaser And Reveals Additional Disco Elysium Alumni
Longdue has released a new gameplay teaser for their upcoming RPG Hopetown, which features investigation and publishing mechanics. The studio also announced that Olga Moskvina, a writer and editor from Disco Elysium, has joined the development team, alongside other former ZA/UM members. A limited 'Newsflash' edition of the game is available for pre-order on Kickstarter until May 29th.
Review: Zero Parades Understands the Assignment
Zero Parades is a highly impressive RPG that builds upon the legacy of Disco Elysium while forging its own path. The game follows spy Hershel Will as she navigates a world of political intrigue and personal sacrifice, featuring a web-like narrative structure and engaging mechanics like Conditioning. While it shares some DNA with its predecessor, Zero Parades succeeds with its writing and unique approach to political themes, and is available on PC with a PlayStation 5 release planned for 2026.
Squabble over Disco Elysium's legacy continues as Hopetown studio recruit another ex-ZA/UM dev while dropping a new trailer on Zero Parades' release day
The ongoing dispute surrounding Disco Elysium's legacy continues as the studio Longdue, developing the journalistic RPG Hopetown, has recruited former ZA/UM writer Olga Moskvina. This announcement coincides with the release of ZA/UM's new game, Zero Parades, and a new trailer for Hopetown. Longdue aims to distinguish Hopetown from its inspirations through its in-depth note-taking and article-drafting mechanics.
ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies Review – Familiar But New
ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies is an RPG that draws heavy comparisons to Disco Elysium, featuring a similar art style and a unique stat system where skills act as conversational companions. The game focuses on spy Hershel Wilk, exploring introspective themes within a spy fiction narrative. Despite its similarities to Disco Elysium, the game offers its own distinct story and setting, making it a recommended narrative-focused adventure.
Recension – Zero Parades: For Dead Spies
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, a spiritual successor to Disco Elysium from ZA/UM, offers a compelling narrative experience despite not reaching the heights of its predecessor. The game features a spy story set in a fictional 90s-inspired world divided by political ideologies, focusing on social interactions and dialogue choices rather than combat. While the writing can be esoteric and the skill system feels less defined than in Disco Elysium, the game is ultimately a solid and rewarding experience, particularly when it carves its own path.
ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies Reviews
ZERO 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 cold
Zero 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 game
Zero 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 Reviews
Zero 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 Phonopolis
This 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 shadow
Zero 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 Skill
Zero 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 deserve
Zero 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 Creatures
ZERO 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 Choices
Zero 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 guises
Zero 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 2026
This 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 Choices
Zero 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.
