ZA/UM's Zero Parades: For Dead Spies has launched on PC, marking the studio's first release since the acclaimed Disco Elysium. However, its debut is overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the departure of key Disco Elysium creators, including Robert Kurvitz, Helen Hindpere, and Aleksander Rostov in 2022. This fallout has left a sour taste for many in the Disco Elysium community, impacting the reception of Zero Parades.

The mixed Steam reviews reflect this divide, with many negative comments targeting ZA/UM's handling of staff rather than the game itself. For example, one reviewer expressed outrage:

"You fired several core creative staff members before, and now you still have the f*cking nerve to claim this is the work of the original team? How shameless can you be? That's just too damn low."
Others have wished failure upon the game and the studio, citing the mistreatment of original Disco Elysium developers.

Criticisms and Praises

Beyond the controversy, the game itself has received critiques. The narration style, in particular, has been a point of contention. A player noted:

"I'm so put off by almost literally every line that comes out of the narrator's mouth. They put on this really strange enunciation on certain words that makes them sound like they're grating across your ears."
However, not all reviews are negative, with some players praising the game's exceptional writing, distinct atmosphere, and striking visuals, despite its struggles to fully escape Disco Elysium's influence. One positive review reads:
"Zero Parade occasionally struggles to step out from Disco Elysium's influence, but its exceptional writing, distinct yet familiar atmosphere, and striking visual direction prevent it from being a hollow copy."

Other players have found joy in the game's spy theme, with one simply stating:

"Enjoying it. Love the spy theme."
and another noting its performance:
"Was indifferent to the narrator's voice at first, now it's actually growing on me. Surprisingly solid on Steam Deck."

Metacritic Score and Future Outlook

Despite the mixed community reception, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies has managed a Metacritic score of 83, though it lags behind Disco Elysium's score of 89. As the game ages, it will be interesting to see how reviews evolve, particularly if the community can separate the game's quality from the studio's controversies.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is now available on PC. While its launch is tainted by ZA/UM's past actions, the game's quality has been acknowledged by critics and some players. For those interested in spy-themed RPGs with deep writing, Zero Parades might still be worth a look, albeit with caution considering the studio's history.

ℹ️ Note: Purchase with awareness of the controversy surrounding ZA/UM's treatment of original Disco Elysium developers.

Key Takeaways

  • Zero Parades: For Dead Spies launched on PC amidst controversy over ZA/UM's past staff dealings.
  • Mixed Steam reviews, with criticisms aimed both at the game's narration and the studio's actions.
  • Metacritic score of 83, compared to Disco Elysium's 89.
  • Positive reviews praise the game's writing, atmosphere, and visuals.