When an indie team tries to take a crack at a genre and absolutely nails it, it’s a sight to behold. In this particular case, it’s Brain Jar Games, and the genre in question is music. Well, music combat. In this case, it’s Dead as Disco, which has you jumping into the shoes of a fallen legend as he fights and dances his way back to the top.
To say the game generates style is an understatement. The stylish presentation throughout Dead as Disco is nothing short of mesmerizing. The visuals will certainly hook you, and the music selections are top notch. What’s more, you can add your own, a nice, distinctive touch that gives the game infinite replayability. It’s limited to one mode – Infinite Disco – but excellent nevertheless.
But the gameplay is the thing. The smooth combat almost feels lifted from the Batman Arkham games, complete with counters, combos and takedowns. But it’s done with excellence here, to the beat of each song, with boss challenges that will keep you busy. Plus you can upgrade your home base along the way, giving it a distinctive amount of flavor.
The game isn’t done yet, but Dead as Disco sets a groovy foundation of what’s to come. And the sooner it comes to other formats to spread its musical love, the better.
Dead as Disco Is a Journey Through Tunage
Man, Charlie Disco has seen better days. The once popular performer has been brushed aside from the competition, namely his former bandmates and a few legends that think they’re better than him. So when he’s presented a key opportunity to take fame back for the better, you can bet he grasps it with both dancing shoes. (Can you grasp with dancing shoes?)
Dead as Disco is that journey, and you’re given a chance to come back from the dead to get your revenge. How? Through musical melee, of course. It’s here that you’ll engage in epic battles with several folks, taking down thugs and earning new goodies to personify your comeback.
The gameplay is the thing here, and Brain Jar nails it just about perfectly. The combat echoes the Batman Arkham games, complete with counters and stylish takedowns once you land enough hits. Dodging is also important, especially for heavies with hammers, shields and more. Thankfully, the rhythm is fairly easy to get into, as each fight carefully follows each song.
There’s a lot to do here, especially in Infinite Disco, where you can actually add your own tunes to fight along with. Did I have a blast smacking someone around to “Copacabana”? What do you think?
On top of that, you’ve got other goodies. This includes outfits to unlock, a “home base” (bar) to decorate with unlockable goodies, and even the ability to edit music videos for all to see. (Don’t forget to watch the copyright marks.) There’s a whole bunch to do here.
It’s a work in progress, but hot damn if Dead as Disco isn’t coming together like a complete music package. I can’t wait to see what else is added.
Dead as Disco Keeps To the Beat
Another aspect of Dead as Disco you’re bound to enjoy is its colorful, imaginative visual set-up. Each boss fight is epic, and it’s quite easy to keep an eye on key prompts so you can avoid taking damage or, better yet, deliver your own. The game moves very smoothly (and works wonders on Steam Deck!), and the style is definitely its own. Plus the menu selection is cool, consisting of a number of high-end TV’s stacked on top of each other.
And the music? Very nice. Along with adding your own tunes (in one mode, but still), the soundtrack provided here is top-notch. It covers a number of genres with some undeniable beats, combined with terrific voice acting and beefy sound effects. Cue up the headphones for this one.
Dead as Disco Is Alive and Well
It may not look like the kind of party you’d go to at first. But don’t push Dead as Disco aside. It’s actually very groovy, and a lot of fun to play – especially if you love the combat of the Batman games. I hope Brain Jar assures a smooth delivery on other formats, because this is one gig everyone should pick up on.
Dead as Disco is in Early Access on Steam and I highly recommend checking it out. Keep on dancin’!
Thanks to Brain Jar Games and Pirate PR for providing us with a review code!
Need another addictive indie game on the Steam front? Check out our review of Parking Garage Rally Circuit!
