Early Access games often present a spectrum of experiences, ranging from those that captivate players with rich content to others that leave them feeling shortchanged. Among the titles that manage to strike a harmonious balance is Dead as Disco, a rhythm-based adventure from Brain Jar Games that has captured my attention for over ten hours.
My journey with Dead as Disco began when I stumbled upon gameplay footage just days before its launch. As a long-time enthusiast of rhythm games, having spent countless hours with Guitar Hero and Rockband, I was immediately drawn in. My affinity for music and rhythm games is well-documented, as evidenced by my previous review of Mixtape. Additionally, I have a penchant for fluid combat reminiscent of the Arkham series, where players seamlessly transition between foes.
Disco’s Dead
The narrative of Dead as Disco revolves around Charlie Disco, a resurrected music icon on a quest to reunite his former bandmates, who have succumbed to the allure of a corporate music giant, Harmony. While the storyline is still evolving, it serves its purpose, allowing players to engage with a handful of Idols—Hemlock, Prophet, Dex, and Arora—each presenting unique tasks that further develop their characters.
The visual style of Dead as Disco is drenched in vibrant neon hues, a choice that enhances its appeal. The transition from Unity to Unreal Engine has undoubtedly contributed to the game’s striking aesthetics, providing a visually immersive experience.
Gameplay mechanics invite players to engage in combat against a variety of enemies, from standard goons to shield-bearing units and elusive doll-like figures. Players can choose to engage in combat either rhythmically or through traditional means, with the former rewarding higher scores for leaderboard enthusiasts. The combat system encourages strategic thinking; while standard enemies can be countered, shield-bearers require dodging to create openings for attack. The inclusion of Moshers adds an additional layer of challenge, as players must evade their tackles while maintaining offensive pressure.
In terms of game modes, players can select an Idol or dive into the Infinite Disco, a mode that offers challenges for customization and skill tree upgrades. This feature adds depth to the gameplay, allowing for a personalized experience as players can upload their own music or choose from a mix of licensed tracks.
Okay, Maybe Disco’s Not Dead
Despite my enthusiasm for Dead as Disco, I harbor some concerns regarding the reliance on licensed music. While essential for a rhythm game, the streamer-friendly option primarily features licensed tracks, which could pose challenges for future updates if contracts are not renewed. Furthermore, there are areas that require refinement; I encountered instances where enemies would behave erratically during finishers, and camera issues occasionally disrupted the flow of combat.
Additionally, the audio mixing could benefit from improvement, as the balance between voice acting and sound effects sometimes detracted from the overall experience. Nevertheless, the foundation laid by Dead as Disco suggests a promising full experience, contingent upon enhancements to its soundtrack, polish, and audio quality. Even with these caveats, I anticipate that this title will remain a staple in my gaming rotation.
The Verdict
Dead as Disco (Early Access) Score: 8/10
Developer: Brain Jar Games
Publisher: Brain Jar Games
Reviewed on: PC
Available on: PC
