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Sourced analysis

ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies (Director's Cut)

What five PC reviews say, with prices checked on PC and consoles.

PC PlayStation 5 Xbox Series X|S Nintendo Switch 2
Release dateMay 21, 2026
Sourced analysis

ZERO PARADES: the spy RPG from the Disco Elysium studio, documented analysis

ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies is a spy RPG developed and published by ZA/UM, the studio behind Disco Elysium. It was released on 21 May 2026 on PC (Steam, Epic and GOG). The Director’s Cut arrived free on PC on 1 October 2026, then on 3 November 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2. This analysis gathers five reviews of the original PC version and prices checked on 11 November 2026. TricknFix has not played it.

Game trailer

Watch on YouTube ↗

The game

You play Hershel Wilk, codename CASCADE, an operant called back for a last-chance mission in the city of Portofiro, five years after leading her team to failure. As in Disco Elysium, there is no conventional combat: you progress through dialogue and dice-based skill checks (subterfuge, violence, deduction), and the operant’s mental state affects her odds.

According to ZA/UM, the Director’s Cut adds around 40,000 words of text, a new scene (Quisach Roundabout), a Backstage Mode about development, completed English voice-over, and quality-of-life and accessibility improvements. Note: as of 11 November 2026 the game is not available in French. Steam, the PlayStation Store and the Xbox Store list English, German, Russian, Simplified Chinese and Latin American Spanish.

What the press says (PC reviews, May 2026)

Sharply divided opinions. Eurogamer (5/5) calls it an “exquisitely constructed” RPG about empire, consumerism and nostalgia. DualShockers (9/10) praises an exciting spy thriller, excellent writing and skill checks made tenser by the mental state system. Destructoid (9/10) says it makes great strides to find its own shine in Disco Elysium’s shadow, with an intriguing story and stressful mechanics.

Caveats: PC Gamer (66/100) feels it doesn’t commit to its espionage concept despite a beautiful world. GamesRadar+ (3.5/5) finds its systems and themes too close to Disco Elysium. DualShockers notes stuttering and weaker music in quiet moments, Destructoid some awkward voice acting.

Scores and prices

The five PC scores range from 66/100 to 5/5. These reviews cover the May 2026 version, before the Director’s Cut. As of 11 November 2026, the game costs €39.99 on Steam and the PlayStation Store. On the Xbox Store it is €35.99 instead of €39.99 until 11 November at 10:59 Paris time. The Nintendo eShop price was not checked.

What to know

Based on five PC reviews, ZERO PARADES is an ambitious, very well-written narrative RPG that divides critics: some see a worthy heir to Disco Elysium, others a game that underuses its spy theme. French speakers should note there is no French translation yet.

Strengths

  • Rich writing and world (Eurogamer, DualShockers)
  • Tense skill checks driven by mental state
  • Gripping spy story
  • Free Director’s Cut for PC owners

Things to consider

  • Espionage concept underused (PC Gamer)
  • Too close to Disco Elysium (GamesRadar+)
  • Stutters and uneven voice acting
  • No French translation as of 11/11/2026

Sources and credits

Game gallery

4 images

Game details

Developer
ZA/UM
Publisher
ZA/UM
Release
May 21, 2026
Genres
Adventure · RPG · Indie
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