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Review: Zero Parades: Director’s Cut (Switch 2) – ZA/UM Returns With Another Atmospheric, Cerebral Yet Overly Familiar RPG
ZA/UM’s Zero Parades: Director’s Cut follows a troubled spy through a politically divided city, using the studio’s familiar mix of introspective writing, investigation and role-playing. The review finds it beautiful and thought-provoking, but says its close resemblance to Disco Elysium makes the experience feel overly familiar.
Players control Hershel Wilk, known by the codename CASCADE, as she investigates her comatose partner and the intentions of her handlers in Portofiro. Dialogue and skill checks shape what she learns, while fatigue, delirium and anxiety can weaken her abilities; thoughts and clothing offer ways to build skills. The review also praises smoother movement and investigation, while noting that exploration still involves aimless wandering.
In short
- A cerebral, atmospheric follow-up to Disco Elysium.
- CASCADE investigates her partner’s coma in a divided city.
- Improved exploration still comes with familiar ideas and aimless wandering.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The familiar style can be seen as a strength: Zero Parades brings ZA/UM’s distinctive writing, political atmosphere and introspective role-playing to a new spy story, while smoother movement and investigation make its systems more accessible. Players who value that combination may welcome another game that rewards close attention to dialogue and character.
The case against
The close resemblance to Disco Elysium may make the new setting and characters feel less original, especially for players hoping the studio would take its role-playing in a different direction. If exploration still relies on aimless wandering, familiar strengths may not be enough to make the experience feel fresh.