Dead as Disco Early Access Review – Real Groove

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Charlie Disco isn’t actually a musical genre, but a man—and he doesn’t remember much, including his own death and being revived by a ghostly guide named Vice. What is clear is that his former bandmates have all become successful stars in various genres, sometimes overshadowing his contributions. Now, using the martial art of Beat Kune Do, Charlie is determined to solve his own murder and perhaps reunite the band.

Beneath the over-the-top situation, the story touches on common issues – how fame changes people, whether it leads to inflated egos or compromising their values. It’s up to Charlie to keep his band grounded, both by talking to them and sometimes giving them a reality check, especially with all the attention they’re getting. But there’s a growing sense that something is seriously wrong, and it could all fall apart.

So, you’re probably curious: what exactly is Dead as Disco? Simply put, it’s a beat ‘em up with a fast-paced, flowing combat system. Like the Batman Arkham games, consistently hitting enemies builds up a combo – we call them Beats. But here’s the twist: you’re meant to fight to the beat! This boosts damage, speeds up your ability to perform special moves, and even helps you achieve a higher score – and that’s just the beginning.

While straightforward in concept, that’s exactly what makes Dead as Disco so appealing. It’s quickly gained popularity through testing and demos, already reaching over a million wishlists on Steam! Launching into Steam Early Access on May 5th, the game lets you battle four different opponents, each with their own unique stage. Between fights, you can return to The Encore – a central hub where you can decorate, chat with characters, and unlock new abilities. For a real challenge, try Infinite Disco, where you’ll face endless waves of enemies on any track. Plus, you can even import your own music and adjust the timing to perfectly match the beat. Think of it like Audiosurf, but with a lot more punching – and it’s fantastic.

Everything about Dead as Disco, from the menus to the character art, is incredibly stylish. The game’s look perfectly matches both the music and the personalities of the characters you meet. The AI boss, Arora, features beautiful starry backgrounds and a unique battle on a planetary ring where you reflect stars back at her. Hemlock, another boss, has a grungier feel – imagine a dimly lit subway covered in neon graffiti where the train tracks turn into a chaotic mosh pit. And Dex’s levels are just… wow. They’re a strange but compelling mix of harsh, concrete architecture and bleak, black-and-white scenery.

Sometimes, it’s hard to even describe what’s happening, especially with the fast-paced action and quick transitions – it feels like watching a really intense music video. Despite all the chaos, though, the game keeps things visually clear, so you always know where danger is coming from, even if you’re still learning how to react. Small details, like colorful effects when you defeat an enemy or Charlie’s cool animations during combos, just make the experience even more enjoyable.

If you’re familiar with the Batman Arkham games, you’ll quickly pick up the combat in this game. You attack with X, counter with Y, and dodge with A. When an enemy is stunned, use B for a finishing move, and when you have a Takedown Token, you can use Y+B to perform a takedown. Building up the Fever Bar lets you use special abilities. It’s a well-established system that this game adapts smoothly, though the character’s attacks might feel a little stronger than you’re used to. The timing feels precise, allowing for quick counters, perfect dodges, and well-timed strikes.

What really makes this game stand out is how it builds on basic fighting mechanics and adds its own special moves and details, all while still giving players a lot of control. You can launch enemies by sliding into them like a baseball player, or knock them into walls with powerful kicks to create opportunities for finishing moves. Landing a counter at just the right moment does extra damage, and dodging perfectly into a counter can set up a finisher. These finishers even give you a few seconds of protection, letting you escape tough attacks like charging enemies or heavily armored opponents.

You can take down enemies quickly and efficiently, but why not have some fun while doing it? Try drumming on their face before knocking them out, or even throwing a drumstick to extend your combos as you rush in. The rhythm can help you time your attacks, and you’re free to choose how you deliver them. If you prefer precise, beat-based combat, you can turn on visual aids like a Beat Indicator or Beat Ring, and even highlight enemies who aren’t currently attacking.

The boss fights are truly excellent, even though it’s frustrating to watch the same cutscenes repeatedly without a way to skip them. Each boss is different and requires a unique approach, and you’ll need to learn to avoid their area attacks. Arora, specifically, can be tricky because she unexpectedly throws projectiles at you.

Beating your former bandmates in battle unlocks new attacks and skill upgrades. While some improvements, like gaining more health or faster special attack charging, are simple to understand, you can also evolve certain abilities. For example, the Bass Invader move, where Charlie uses a guitar to push enemies away, can be upgraded to Super Bass Invader, which lets you charge up for a powerful slam that launches enemies into the air. You can only equip four abilities at a time, letting you focus on your favorites, but you can always reset your skills and try out different combinations.

The game Dead as Disco looks amazing, but it’s the music that really makes it special. With over 25 tracks, the soundtrack creates a fantastic atmosphere – I particularly enjoyed “Boom” by bbno$ and the timeless “Maniac.” Even the original songs by Arora are excellent, with a clear K-Pop influence.

I’m a big fan of Dead as Disco. Even though it’s still in early access, the game feels remarkably complete, offering a great blend of style and engaging gameplay. It’s reminiscent of the addictive challenge maps from the Batman Arkham series, making you want to keep playing. For $25, there’s already a good amount of content, whether you’re focused on perfecting levels, completing challenges, or achieving high scores in Infinite Disco. What’s even more impressive is the developer’s plan to add even more features – like new abilities, customization, challenges, bosses, skill trees, music, a robust endgame, and even co-op – it’s really exciting!

Whether Charlie Disco can solve everything remains to be seen, but the band is definitely reuniting! By the time Dead as Disco officially launches, it promises to be something truly special. Right now, it’s a fantastic early access game that expertly combines 3D beat ’em up action with a killer soundtrack.

This game was reviewed on PC.

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2026-05-09 19:12