Zero Parades: ZA/UM's New Game Might Just Out-Wizard Disco Elysium (and It's Already Bonkers)
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
ZA/UM's *Zero Parades: For Dead Spies*, the spiritual successor to *Disco Elysium*, is shaping up to be a wild, narrative-driven RPG that's both more approachable and even more outrageously creative than its predecessor, promising a storytelling masterpiece that hooks players from the start.
Alright, mates, gather 'round the digital campfire, 'cause I've just stumbled across something that's got my internal magic circuits buzzing like a short-circuited spellcasting orb. We're talking *Zero Parades: For Dead Spies*, the latest brain-melter from ZA/UM – yeah, *that* ZA/UM, the folks who gave us the absolute reality-bending masterpiece that was *Disco Elysium*. And if Ford James over at Polygon is to be believed (and after reading his impressions, I'm kinda nodding along like a bobblehead wizard), this new spy caper might just be *better*. Bloomin' hell.
Now, when I say "better," I don't mean it's suddenly a triple-A shooter with microtransactions (thank the elder gods for small mercies). What I mean is, it's taking everything that made *Disco Elysium* a legendary, genre-defying experience and apparently cranking the "bonkers-o-meter" up to eleven. Four hours in, and Ford's already managed to crush himself with a vending machine, have phone sex with a "Duchess" in public, and accidentally creep out some teenagers thanks to a failed skill check. Oh, and threatened to pry out a kid's tooth while dealing with a self-pleasuring, suicidal back-alley doctor. I mean, *fair dinkum*, mate, that's not your typical Tuesday morning commute, is it?
It sounds like *Zero Parades* isn't just pushing boundaries; it's using those boundaries as a launchpad to rocket into an entirely new dimension of narrative absurdity. According to Ford, it makes most of his overflowing Steam library feel "stale." And frankly, after hearing about that level of unhinged brilliance, I get it. We're talking about being Hershel Wilk, aka Cascade, a spy who's apparently made a few colossal blunders and is now back in the chaotic city of Portofiro. Your double's catatonic, your handler wants you benched, and you haven't even figured out your actual mission yet. Sounds like my average Monday, really.
Crucially, like its spiritual predecessor, this isn't about quick reflexes or button mashing. Forget your combat skills; this is about reading, listening, and navigating what Polygon calls "dialogical conundrums." Think point-and-click evolution, but less about finding a key for a door and more about figuring out if you should offer your shrooms to the bloke at a 4 a.m. house party talking about the state of existence. (Yes, that's an actual comparison made, and honestly, it resonates with my chaotic-good alignment.)
What's fascinating is the claim that *Zero Parades* is a touch more *approachable* than *Disco Elysium*. Don't get me wrong, *Disco* was a masterpiece, but it was also like trying to solve a philosophical riddle while simultaneously learning a new language. *Zero Parades*, it seems, has taken that intellectual depth and woven it into a more immediately engaging tapestry. It's also reportedly more "gamified" – more frequent skill checks, and an "exert" mechanic where you can boost your chances of success at the cost of increasing fatigue, anxiety, or delirium. Apparently, you can even land a permanent debuff if you get too anxious. Relatable, innit? Who hasn't permabuffed their anxiety stats in real life just trying to get through a Tuesday?
*Disco Elysium* took time to truly sink its hooks into you, but once it did, it stayed with you. Ford's saying *Zero Parades* grabs you "hook, line, and sinker from the get-go." That's a bold claim, but given ZA/UM's track record for crafting worlds that linger in your grey matter like a persistent dream, I'm cautiously optimistic. This isn't just another game; it's a potential storytelling masterpiece that's willing to get weird, messy, and wonderfully unpredictable.
So, while we're all still waiting to dive into the digital abyss of Portofiro, it sounds like ZA/UM might just be conjuring up another classic. My curiosity is officially piqued, and my inner wizard is already wondering what reality-bending shenanigans await.
(As reported by Ford James at Polygon, you can check out the full article here)
Tags: Narrative RPG, Zero Parades, Disco Elysium, ZAUM, Adventure Game
Original article: Polygon