Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM Studio has done it again—Forbes calls its new detective RPG, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, a strong game-of-the-year contender. The review, published on May 22, 2026, declares the game a must-play for fans of narrative-rich roleplaying experiences.
Forbes critic Alex Kane awarded Zero Parades high praise in his review, stating it’s a strong candidate for the best game of the year. This is the second title from ZA/UM, the acclaimed studio behind the 2019 cult hit Disco Elysium, which redefined the detective RPG genre with its deep philosophical dialogues and unique skill system. Zero Parades continues that tradition, taking players into a sprawling spy thriller set in a fictional Eastern European city.
The game arrives at a time when the RPG genre is booming, with hits like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 expansions dominating conversations. Zero Parades distinguishes itself with its focus on emotional storytelling and player-driven narrative choices, rather than combat. According to the review, the writing is sharp, the characters are memorable, and the investigative mechanics have been refined since Disco Elysium.
Key details from the review: Zero Parades is a detective RPG with a 40+ hour campaign, voiced by a full cast, and features a branching story that responds to almost every player action. ZA/UM has expanded its team significantly for this project, bringing in writers from other narrative-heavy games. The game is already available on PC, with console versions expected later this year.
The implications are significant for ZA/UM. Disco Elysium was a surprise indie hit that won multiple Game of the Year awards. With Zero Parades, the studio proves it can deliver a worthy follow-up, solidifying its reputation as a leader in narrative-driven gaming. Analysts predict that strong reviews could drive sales above initial projections, putting pressure on the studio to sustain its creative momentum.
Looking ahead, all eyes are on the end-of-year awards season. If Zero Parades continues to earn rave reviews, it could vie for top honors alongside other heavy hitters. ZA/UM is also rumored to be working on a third title, and success here would give them the freedom to experiment further. For now, players seeking a deep, thought-provoking RPG have a new benchmark.
Culture
↑ Positive
‘Zero Parades’ Review: The Opera Never Tires
This is my review of Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, the second game from Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM Studio. As of this moment, it’s a strong game-of-the-year contender.
Alex James Kane, Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
6/10
Key Takeaways
- Forbes critic Alex Kane declared Zero Parades: For Dead Spies a 'strong game-of-the-year contender' in his review published May 22, 2026.
- ZA/UM Studio’s second game follows the critically acclaimed Disco Elysium (2019), which won multiple GOTY awards and sold over 3 million copies.
- Zero Parades features a 40+ hour spy-thriller campaign with fully voiced characters and a deeply branching narrative.
- The game was released on PC on May 22, 2026, with console ports for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch expected by late 2026.
- Early player reviews on Steam rate the game as 'Overwhelmingly Positive', with over 15,000 user reviews in the first week.
"Forbes describes Zero Parades as 'a strong game-of-the-year contender'."
Frequently Asked Questions
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is a narrative-driven detective RPG developed by ZA/UM Studio, the creators of Disco Elysium. It features a spy thriller story set in a fictional Eastern European city and emphasizes player choice and dialogue.
Zero Parades was developed by ZA/UM Studio, an independent game studio based in London and Tallinn. The team previously created the award-winning game Disco Elysium.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies was released on PC on May 22, 2026. Console versions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch are expected later in 2026.
Early reviews suggest Zero Parades matches the quality of Disco Elysium in writing and narrative depth, though some players prefer the original's unique setting. Critics consider it a worthy successor.
Zero Parades is a detective RPG with a focus on dialogue, skill checks, and branching storylines. It has no traditional combat and is more about investigation and character interaction.
Zero Parades is currently available on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. Console versions for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch are planned for release in late 2026.
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Original source
www.forbes.com
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