Dead as Disco Is a Banger Beat ‘Em up That Needs to Cook a Little Longer (Early Access Review)

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I was instantly hooked by Dead As Disco and its fast-paced combat. I’ve always been fascinated by rhythm games, but I don’t have a natural sense of timing. Brain Jar Games has cleverly designed this game to be inspired by rhythm games, rather than strictly be one. The music dynamically changes based on what you do, offering a fresh take on the genre. The experience feels like a blend of Sifu and Hi-Fi Rush, making every successful counter and punch feel like you’re performing to the beat.

Dead As Disco isn‘t just fun to play; it’s a visually striking game with a fantastic soundtrack. This early access version really highlights what the game does well, but also shows where it needs improvement. Currently, the game is quite short – I finished everything in about three hours. The boss fights are enjoyable, but a little too long, and there isn’t much variety in the enemies you face. Because of this, it’s hard to recommend the game at full price right now, even though it has a lot of potential. However, if it goes on sale, it’s worth checking out, especially when the full version is released.

Rating: 3.5/5

Pros Cons
Stylish rhythm based combat feels fantastic when synced to the music. Boss fights can drag on slightly too long
Incredible soundtrack with strong boss fight presentation. Some UI and audio balancing issues still need polish
Creative visual style and strong character identity. Enemy variety outside major encounters can feel repetitive
Custom music support adds huge replayability. Early Access content feels limited.

A Surprisingly Strong Story With Vibrant Characters

I went into Dead as Disco thinking it would be all about cool fights and music, with a simple story to tie it together. But I was surprised! I really got invested in the main character, Charlie Disco, and the weird world he lives in. The premise is clever: Charlie comes back to life with a ghostly lawyer and has to defeat his old bandmates to get them back together, all while figuring out who murdered him. What really makes the story work, though, is its unique tone.

Despite its wacky premise, the game handles its emotional core really well. Things like corrupted pop stars and magical deals sound silly at first, but the story surprisingly feels believable and relatable. It’s filled with themes of regret and betrayal, adding a lot more depth than I anticipated. The main character, Charlie, is also compelling. He’s charismatic and engaging, but also shows vulnerability and insecurity beneath his confident exterior. I appreciated that he wasn’t portrayed as a perfect hero. Through conversations with his old bandmates, we see the strains in their relationships and learn that Charlie’s memories might not be entirely accurate.

The Encore Bar acts as a central hub in Dead As Disco, adding a lot of personality to the game. When you’re not on missions, you can chat with characters, customize the bar, and find collectibles that gradually reveal more about the game’s world and the band’s backstory. This creates a sense of progress even when you’re not fighting, and helps make the characters feel more real. While the game is still in Early Access and the story isn’t finished, it’s intriguing enough to keep me hooked. I’m really curious to see how things unfold, particularly what happened between Charlie and his bandmates years ago.

Rhythm Combat That Feels Incredible

The combat in Dead as Disco is the game’s biggest strength. It feels similar to Hi-Fi Rush, but also takes inspiration from the fluid fighting styles of games like Batman: Arkham and Sifu. Every action – attacks, dodges, counters, and finishing moves – is tied to the music’s beat, making each fight feel like a rhythmic performance. When everything comes together, it’s really satisfying and fun. You don’t need to be perfect with the timing to win, which is good, but hitting the beat consistently makes you much more effective. Precise timing leads to more powerful attacks, better dodges, and faster charging of your special move meter.

The game is incredibly satisfying when you’re in the zone. Successfully linking counters to powerful finishers, all while enemies move to the beat of the music, is a rare feeling, and this game nails it. The boss fights are particularly outstanding – each one feels like a grand spectacle with its own special challenges, dynamic stage changes, and fantastic music. I especially loved the Aurora boss fight because of how cleverly its mechanics all worked together. The way these fights are presented is truly impressive.

Despite its strengths, the game could use some improvements. A few boss battles drag on too long, particularly when you’re still figuring out how they work or haven’t unlocked many upgrades. By the end of some fights, I just wanted them to be finished. The game also has a limited number of different enemy types. However, the main gameplay is fantastic. The skill trees are well-designed – complex enough to be interesting, but not too confusing – and upgrades genuinely make a difference. The ability to use custom songs is a huge plus, offering almost unlimited replay value. Uploading your own music and tailoring the combat to your taste is a bold feature that really sets this game apart.

Style, Music, and Personality Carry the Experience

What truly stands out in Dead as Disco is its incredible style. The game’s visuals and music are fantastic, creating a really immersive experience. I especially appreciate the diverse range of music genres, which give the game a lot of energy without being overwhelming. The combination of original music and well-known songs makes it feel fresh and memorable. Each battle feels unique thanks to the shifting musical styles – one moment you’re facing fast-paced metal, and the next you’re moving to a catchy pop song.

Dead As Disco really shines with its unique and lively environments and character designs. While Charlie’s design isn’t bad, the other characters are just exceptionally well done. What’s really cool is that each character has their own distinct style and musical genre – it makes you wonder what they’d sound like playing together! The animation is also fantastic. The combat feels fluid and impactful, even with simple attacks, and the fight system is special because of the cool moves and satisfying hits. The boss fights were especially engaging, constantly changing and forcing me to come up with new tactics.

While the game is shaping up nicely, it still has a few rough edges. The sound mixing isn’t always perfect – sometimes dialogue gets lost in the noise of battle. It would be great if song lyrics and music ended at the same time. I also ran into a couple of minor glitches with enemy placement and the user interface. These issues didn’t break the game, but they’re a reminder that it’s still in development as an Early Access title.

Despite a few flaws, Brain Jar Games has done an impressive job with Dead as Disco. The game is refreshingly creative, visually appealing, and surprisingly bold in its scope. The combat is really satisfying, the music is top-notch, and it offers a unique experience compared to other rhythm action games. With some polish and more content, this could easily become a truly memorable title. Right now, it’s perfect for short bursts of play, but could benefit from more depth to keep players engaged long-term. Fortunately, the developers have announced plans for future updates, so we can look forward to more content soon.

You can now play Dead As Disco on PC as it’s currently in early access. We received a Steam code from the publisher to review the game.

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2026-05-10 17:41