Disco Elysium
News, coverage and analysis tracking Disco Elysium across the outlets.
Latest coverage
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.
Sorry GTA 6, but I’m more excited about these 5 sequels (and a wildcard)
This article expresses excitement for several upcoming game sequels, arguing they hold more promise than Grand Theft Auto 6 due to potentially more manageable expectations. It highlights anticipated titles from FromSoftware, CD Projekt Red, Larian Studios, and Sandfall Interactive, praising their past work and potential for innovation. The author also touches on the industry's current trend of hype generation versus genuine surprise.
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.
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: "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.
Still With Me, Dear Reader?
Rue Valley is a narrative-driven game that explores themes of mental health and personal tragedy through a unique time-loop mechanic, standing apart from games like Disco Elysium. Despite clunky game design, its empathetic approach to character development and its 47-minute in-game loop offer a resonant experience for players grappling with similar challenges. The article recommends the game for its strong writing and encourages players to seek mental health resources if needed.
6 Story Games for Players Who Don't Want to Talk | TAG
This article highlights six story-driven games that do not require dialogue choices or role-playing, catering to players seeking a narrative experience without conversational effort. Titles like Journey, Cocoon, Inside, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Return of the Obra Dinn, and Outer Wilds are discussed for their unique methods of storytelling through environment, music, and observation, with many also being compatible with handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
High Score blir farligare med Boost
FZ 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 2026
This 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.
Aether and Iron's Worldbuilt Intricacies
Aether and Iron is an opinion piece praising the intricate worldbuilding, art direction, and narrative of the game developed by Seismic Squirrel. The article highlights the "deco-punk" aesthetic, the compelling characters like Gia and Nellie, and the unique automotive chess combat system. It also commends the developers for their transparent development process and the artistic integrity of the game's visuals.
The studio that (technically) made Disco Elysium just dropped a trailer for its new game
The 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.
ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies Features and Gameplay Trailer Released
ZA/UM Studio has released a new trailer for their upcoming Espionage RPG, ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies, showcasing features like Skills, Conditioning, and Dramatic Encounters. The game is set to launch on PC on May 21st, with a PlayStation 5 release planned for later this year. Principal Writer Siim Sinamäe highlighted how the gameplay mechanics are designed to support and elevate the narrative, building on the studio's experience with Disco Elysium.
The 10 best RPGs for busy adults looking for a breather from hectic schedules
This article ranks the best role-playing games suitable for busy adults seeking a relaxing gaming experience. It highlights titles like Citizen Sleeper, Final Fantasy 16, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, emphasizing their accessibility, replayability, and ability to be enjoyed in short bursts or longer sessions. The selection considers games with straightforward controls and engaging narratives that cater to varied playstyles and time constraints.
