Right from the start, I need to admit something – I’m terrible at rhythm games.
Seriously. In OSU, even 3-4 star maps felt harder to me than beating Malenia in Elden Ring.
And then Dead as Disco Early Access shows up.
Suddenly, 250 BPM maps aren’t a problem anymore – they actually make me want to push further and get better. So the question is: are we looking at a new contender for the best rhythm game out there?
Table of Contents
What is Dead as Disco?
DaD (yeah, I had to) is a single-player rhythm beat’em up where you step into the shoes of Charlie Disco, taking down enemy idols and reuniting their band.
On paper, it kind of sounds like a side quest from Cyberpunk, where you help Johnny Silverhand track down old band members. But Dead as Disco executes it in a completely different way.
Dialogue? Only at the very beginning.
After that, you’re thrown straight into a whirlwind of music, bass, lasers, and some of the best art direction and level design I’ve seen in a long time.
Gameplay is pure eye and ear candy
Dead as Disco makes every hit feel impactful, all thanks to a system where your actions sync seamlessly with the soundtrack.
In the press build, you can fight two idols:
- Hemlock, featuring the track Maniac
- Arora, with her original song Rhythm Divine
There’s also the Infinite Disco mode, which we’ll get to in a bit.
Hemlock – a smooth introduction
Hemlock serves as a perfect introduction to what the game is all about.
The level starts with a small group of enemies, giving you time to get into the rhythm – and then… the real magic begins.
As the song progresses, the level evolves. Not just visually, but mechanically too. The environment becomes part of the gameplay.
Throwing enemies under incoming trains in sync with Maniac? Just take my money.
Brain Jar Games clearly had a lot of fun designing these stages. It really shows later in the fight, when the camera shifts from behind the character to a side view as you move through train cars.
If you’ve played Sifu, you know that exact “bro, that’s so sick” moment. It hits just like that.
Arora – this is where it clicks
Then I jumped into the Arora fight – and that’s when I knew we might be looking at a hit.
- Multi-phase boss fight? Check.
- Fast, intense gameplay sections mixed with calmer bridge moments? Check.
- A song you’ll replay and a level worth mastering? Absolutely.
“Devour the day…” – this level got to me.
I spent an entire evening trying to beat it without taking damage or dropping my combo.
Dead as Disco is insanely addictive. Your dopamine spikes hard, and every failure just makes you want to try again and improve.
Enemy variety actually matters
And no, regular enemies aren’t just punching bags.
- basic enemies – typical punch bags
- sprinters – who rush you and break your combo
- heavy hitters – that knock you down
- shield enemies – don’t attack first, shield breaks your combo
- ranged attackers – time dodge well
- enemies requiring instant reactions – parry is crucial here
All of this makes combat way more than button mashing. There’s a real learning curve – not just with bosses, but even with standard enemies.
Infinite Disco has huge potential
Infinite Disco (ID) looks like a training mode at first glance – but it’s much more than that.
- import your own songs – MEGALOVANIA from Undertale rocks here!!
- edit them – faster, slower, harder, better
- adjust tempo and BPM
- customize tracks
This is where the game’s biggest potential lies. If full customization arrives later, the community creations could go absolutely wild.
What’s Missing in Early Access?
The only real issue I noticed is difficulty. There are only two modes – easy and normal – and both become too easy quickly.
That said, this feels like something that will be improved before release.
What Will the Full Version Add?
One feature I’m really curious about is the Dive Bar.
It’s not just cosmetic – it also includes a skill tree.
- unlocking new moves
- new combos
- possible stat upgrades
If it works like Sifu, the depth could be huge. Fans of Devil May Cry V and Final Fantasy XVI – keep this on your radar.
Early Access launches May 5
What sets Dead as Disco apart is passion.
You can feel the developers enjoyed making it – and that translates directly into gameplay.
If Dead as Disco sticks the landing, this might not just be a hit – it could redefine rhythm combat games.
As for me? May 5 is already booked. I’m diving into neon, lasers, bass, and stylish combat.
Follow G2A News for more – full review coming soon.
Huge thanks to Brain Jar Games for early access. You guys rock!
