Blog | Review
It’s not often that a game leaves me simply wanting more, but Dead as Disco managed it almost immediately. Writing about games can sometimes dull the joy of playing them, but this rhythm-fighting game cut straight through that. On paper, the pitch is simple: fight to the beat. In practice, it feels far more exciting than that.
Dead as Disco plays like a stylish, ever-changing anime, with each level shifting in tone, music, and visual identity. You play as Charli Disco, who sets out to save his former bandmates after they sold out, free them from the forces controlling them, and do it all with as much flair as possible. At this stage, there are four levels to play through, but what’s already here is incredibly strong.
Each level has its own personality. There’s a punk-inspired stage, a K-pop stage, a rap stage, and my personal favourite: the metal stage. Each one builds towards a big boss fight, complete with unique mechanics and, most importantly, its own music. That variety keeps each encounter feeling fresh, as you’re constantly learning a new rhythm, adjusting to a different style, and finding the beat all over again.
When everything clicks, Dead as Disco feels exceptional. Parries, dodges, and attacks all land on the beat, and every successful action adds another layer to the song. It makes each fight feel like you’re not just playing along with the music, but actively helping to build it. Rhythm games can sometimes feel restrictive, but this never does. Missing the beat doesn’t feel overly punishing; it simply encourages you to settle back into the groove and keep going.
The combat is buttery smooth, and the replayability is already easy to see. Scoreboards give you a reason to chase better runs, while multiple difficulty options let you return to each stage as your timing improves. There are also skill trees and special abilities to experiment with, giving you room to shape your own fighting style as you punch enemies, throw drumsticks, and even summon miniature black holes.
There’s also an infinite mode, complete with unlockable songs, which adds even more to the package. Better still, you can upload your own music and fight along to that. So, whether you want to brawl to Golden by KPop Demon Hunters or test yourself in the metal stage with Playing God by Motionless In White, the option is there. It’s a brilliant feature, and one that could give the game a huge amount of long-term appeal.
My only real issue with Dead as Disco is that there isn’t more of it yet. I know I’ll keep going back to improve my scores, try new songs, and push myself on greater difficulties, but I’m already eager to see what comes next. There’s also a compelling mystery at the heart of the game, centred on what happened to Charli’s band and why everything fell apart, and I genuinely want to see how that story unfolds.
Dead as Disco is already absolutely sublime. Even in the early stages of its life, it stands out as one of the most exciting games of 2026 so far. If you have any interest in rhythm games, fighters, or stylish action games that know exactly what they’re doing, make sure this is on your radar.
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