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ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies Is ZA/UM’s Next Game After Disco Elysium

ZA/UM’s next game after Disco Elysium is a distinct espionage RPG starring operant Hershel Wilk. Here’s how its investigation, encounters, and failure mechanics work—and what the Steam and PlayStation listings say.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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ZA/UM’s next game after Disco Elysium is ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies, a new espionage RPG—not a sequel. You play Hershel Wilk, an operant known as Cascade, sent back into the field after a previous mission failed. The game builds its story around investigation, tense conversations, dice-driven confrontations, and the possibility of pressing on after a failed roll.

What is ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies?

ZA/UM describes ZERO PARADES as a narrative-first espionage RPG. Its protagonist, Hershel Wilk—alias Cascade—is recalled after a failed mission for a mysterious assignment that could give her another chance to prove herself. The PlayStation description places that assignment in a city where the search for secrets reaches into both its streets and the human mind, amid a struggle among three forces for cultural and ideological power.

The studio characterizes the tone as paranoid and surreal, with redemption at its center. ZA/UM Marketing Director Sven Paluch called the game “a narrative-first espionage RPG steeped in paranoia, surrealism, and a struggle for redemption” in a PlayStation Blog post dated September 24, 2025 (PlayStation Blog).

Is it a sequel to Disco Elysium?

No. The official phrase “From the creators of Disco Elysium” identifies ZA/UM’s connection to its earlier game; it does not establish a shared setting or a sequel. The official descriptions present a different protagonist, a new city, and an espionage premise. The useful comparison is in the role-playing approach: both games are associated with narrative, dialogue, and character development, while ZERO PARADES frames its conflicts around espionage and tactical encounters.

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How does the game play?

Investigation and dialogue

You search for secrets, engage with informants and factions, and use skill checks to open up conversations and develop abilities. Decisions about whom to work with—or oppose—are part of navigating the city’s competing interests.

Dramatic Encounters and dice

In certain confrontations, Tactical View pauses time so you can consider your options. Outcomes depend on dice rolls shaped by Hershel’s attributes. A failed roll does not simply stop the story: it advances the scene, potentially with consequences.

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Failing forward and Exertion

ZA/UM describes the design as “failing forward”: failure can change what happens next rather than ending the attempt. In the studio’s 2025 explanation, Exertion adds a third die, keeps the best two results, and requires a sacrifice in return (PlayStation Blog). The PlayStation product description identifies Fatigue, Anxiety, and Delirium as pressures that can be spent to improve a roll, with costs tied to Hershel’s condition.

Conditioning and character development

Conditioning lets you reinforce thoughts and training to shape Hershel’s identity, improve skills, and open new approaches, with trade-offs. ZA/UM presents it as an evolution of Disco Elysium’s Thought Cabinet. It is therefore more than a simple skill upgrade: character-building choices can influence how you approach later situations.

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When did it release, and where can you play?

Store listings give different platform-specific details, so the dates and edition labels should not be treated as one global launch date.

Platform Store listing Availability details
PC Steam Lists ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies as released May 21, 2026; developed and published by ZA/UM. The listing identifies it as single-player and includes a downloadable soundtrack and art booklet.
PlayStation 5 PlayStation Store The current US store page lists ZERO PARADES: Director’s Cut for PS5 with a March 11, 2026 release date.

Those are the details shown on the respective store pages; the listings do not establish that the edition names or release dates are interchangeable across platforms. Steam’s review score is also a changing snapshot: when checked for this article, it showed 86% positive English-language reviews from 1,676 user reviews. That is a store review measure, not a sales or player-count figure.

What to know if you make gameplay videos

ZA/UM’s press kit permits creators to stream, record, upload, and monetize gameplay, as well as make derivative content such as reviews and video essays. It asks creators to respect access embargoes and avoid major spoilers in headlines or thumbnails. It prohibits selling standalone products or merchandise that uses game content, sublicensing footage to third parties, and implying official endorsement without authorization. Check the official press kit for the complete terms.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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