Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, a new game from ZA/UM, prompts players to reflect on the cost of forgiveness. The game follows Cascade, who, after leading a failed mission, is eager to reconnect with her former spy colleagues and friends despite years of separation. Sent on a redemption mission in the city of Portofiro after five years of office work, Cascade seeks a chance for atonement.
Zero Parades echoes the critically acclaimed game Disco Elysium from 2019, which also came from ZA/UM. However, the ZA/UM behind Disco Elysium is markedly different from its current state, due to significant changes at the studio.
Since 2022, ZA/UM has been embroiled in conflicts involving court rulings and accusations of stealing the Disco Elysium IP. These issues, combined with claims of misconduct and backlash from fans, have shrouded Zero Parades with controversy and tethered it to the legacy of Disco Elysium. The title heavily borrows design elements from its predecessor, while its plot inadvertently mirrors the real-world disputes involving the studio.
The narrative kicks off by questioning the type of spy the player wants to become, offering diverse skills and personalities to choose from. As in Disco Elysium, these skills aid Cascade and shape her interactions, reflecting her mental state. Players need to manage Cascade’s fatigue, anxiety, and delirium, which can be pushed for short-term benefits but at a long-term cost, mirroring her internal struggles.
Cascade’s journey requires rallying her old team, revisiting past failures, and dealing with their aftermath. Gameplay involves persuasion rather than stealth, emphasizing dialogue and emotion over traditional espionage mechanics.
According to Robert Kurvitz, a significant creative force behind Disco Elysium who was dismissed from ZA/UM with other key members, the studio’s actions have harmed former team members. A turbulent period followed, characterized by accusations, layoffs, and the dilution of ZA/UM’s original anticapitalist vision.
Zero Parades lacks the storytelling finesse of Disco Elysium. Despite technical improvements, its narrative and character depth feel lacking, with dialogue choices sometimes feeling out of place. The absence of Disco’s key creatives is evident; the new team faces immense pressure amidst the ongoing disputes.
After completing Zero Parades, one reflects on the developers’ challenges, stuck between past and present controversies. The game portrays ZA/UM’s internal struggles, aligning them with Cascade’s journey of manipulation and redemption.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is scheduled to release on May 21st for PC.