Dead as Disco Reviews
Dead as Disco may be more EP than album at its Early Access debut, but the cats on stage are electric, the set list is inspired, and there’s enough juice at the bar to keep you coming back for more.
Dead as Disco is not only my favourite game I’ve played so far in 2026, but one that I can see being a true all-timer as more content is added and it’s polished up even more.
Dead as Disco doesn’t just flirt with the beat-em-up formula; it remixes it into something effortlessly stylish and easy to pick up, even in its early-access state.
Despite being in Early Access, Dead as Disco has a distinct vision of what it wants to be. This rhythm-based brawler where players punch and kick to the beat has instant appeal and its flashy music video fights delight. This one might be a hit.
Dead as Disco already feels like a game that knows exactly who it is. The vibe is excellent, the combat feels good, and when everything locks together on beat, it gives that exact satisfied feeling rhythm game fans chase. It is not a walk in the park, though, and that difficulty actually works in its favor because it makes the victories feel earned. Even in Early Access, this is the kind of game I’d keep coming back to because the style, music, and gameplay loop all hit the right note. With so much more on the developer timeline, I am DOWN for some more disco.
"Being able to fight alongside the music to your favourite bands is something I never knew I needed, and it is incredibly easy to do."
Dead as Disco has a lot of potential to be one of the best independent action games of its age if Brain Jar Games can keep working to make it more balanced, expand the story, and add multiplayer and customization features planned for the full release.
Dead as Disco is a rhythm-based action game with fluid combat that, supported by a stylized visual identity and the ability to import custom music, manages to connect with all kinds of players. However, like any title in early access, it still needs to polish some aspects, such as the repetitiveness of its missions and the lack of deep progression, to deliver a truly satisfying experience. Although the story and level design require further refinement during early access, the game in its current state is a solid recommendation for rhythm game enthusiasts who prioritize polished gameplay within an ecosystem that is still under construction and expansion.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Dead as Disco swings hard. It is loud, political, difficult, stylish, and unapologetically angry about the state of the world. One minute you are beating someone senseless to the rhythm of a rap track, the next you are listening to a story about a controlling corporation exploiting its artists – even its AI artist. The developers seemingly built a rhythm game and screamed their capitalism frustrations through bright lights, martial arts, and sick song choices.
Dead as Disco shouldn't work as well as it does. It blends two influences together in such a natural way that you almost wonder why nobody tried this sooner. Like mixing salty crisps with chocolate or putting pineapple on pizza, this Early Access rhythm beat 'em up is surprisingly robust, ridiculously moreish, and far better than it has any right to be.
Combining a rhythm game with a fighting game might seem like a crazy idea, and indeed, Dead as Disco is anything but an ordinary game! Its vibrant visuals and soundtrack captivate players right from the menu. The ability to play along to our favourite tracks makes the game endless and fully customisable. Now, however, we just have to see how Brain Jar Games handles the early access period, but the early signs have us feeling very confident.
Review in Italian | Read full review
[...]As an early music-savvy action experience that's unique in this day and age, it's on the same level as "Dancing Queen" Hi-Fi Rush. Dead As Disco is a Boogie Wonderland you want to have on play all day, err day. It's a Good Time indeed to be an action and rhythm game fan.
I think Dead as Disco is absolutely worth playing if rhythm action games do anything for you. The highs are ridiculously high. Those boss levels are some of the coolest things you will experience in an action game this year, and the moment-to-moment combat scratches a part of my brain that very few games ever reach.
Even in early access, Dead as Disco is an exciting addition to the rhythm action genre. Brain Jar Games has not only crafted a strong combat system that already has enough depth to carry the game, but a set of levels that are continuously rewarding with each replay. I’m excited to watch as the game progresses to a full release, especially as some of the rougher edges get ironed out and new content is introduced.