ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies

ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies is a narrative-driven isometric RPG that draws clear inspiration from Disco Elysium, sharing its watercolor art style and deep political themes, yet it establishes its own identity as a spy thriller. Players control Hershel, a flawed and damaged spy navigating a complex web of quests in the city of Portofiro. The game features a unique health system with three bars—Fatigue, Anxiety, and Delirium—that influence skill checks and gameplay tension.

While the game boasts compelling world-building, memorable characters, and strong voice acting, it is often weighed down by convoluted quest structures, uneven pacing, and occasional bugs, including quest glitches and audio mismatches. The narrative tone swings between serious and absurd, and some players found the writing overly pretentious or derivative. Despite these flaws, many appreciate the game's ambition, atmosphere, and evolution of mechanics from its spiritual predecessor. However, controversies surrounding the developer ZA/UM and the firing of original Disco Elysium creators have affected community reception.

Highlights

Players praise ZERO PARADES for its beautiful watercolor art style and moody, immersive atmosphere, which effectively evoke a melancholic spy thriller vibe. The unique health system involving Fatigue, Anxiety, and Delirium adds strategic depth to skill checks. The voice acting, especially for many characters, is generally well-received, contributing to engaging characterization. The interconnected story and world-building create a compelling narrative web, with memorable NPCs and a protagonist whose moral decline contrasts with Disco Elysium's trajectory. Gameplay improvements such as inventory optimization and action sequences are also noted as positive evolutions from Disco Elysium.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game's convoluted and sometimes buggy quest design, leading to confusion and occasional inability to progress. The writing is viewed by some as trying too hard to mimic Disco Elysium's style without matching its depth, resulting in a tone that swings awkwardly between morose seriousness and absurdity. The narrator's voice acting is often described as grating or monotone, detracting from immersion. Additionally, the health system's reliance on substance use feels forced and detracts from roleplay. Some players find the world-building and political themes opaque or superficial, and the game’s pacing and linearity reduce replay value. Technical issues such as audio bugs and quest glitches further hamper experience.