Dead as Disco is a rhythm-based brawler combining the heavy hits of a Yakuza or Batman Arkham game with the Beatmap-focused levels of Clone Hero. With 200k sales and Overwhelming Positive reviews, the game has already scored the most important thing for longevity in the genre: A community.
Following the footsteps of innovative, genre-bending rhythm games such as Crypt of the Necrodancer or Trombone Champ, Dead as Disco has soared to huge success in its first week of Early Access. Sitting at over 200k sales with 96% positive reviews, the game has established a strong foothold by creating a home to thousands of Beatmap fans and new players alike.
The turnout for such a unique project is hardly unwarranted, as Dead as Disco understands its place and the genre it’s taking part in. Developer Brain Jar Games have been consistently open, communicative and supportive of the community — a lynchpin that makes or breaks Beatmap-centered games.
Without dedicated fans creating and mixing Beatmaps, the genre wouldn’t exist. Sites like DiscoMaps are already established, providing quick and easy ways for the 200k+ players to expand their library without having to sync up the custom tracks themselves one at a time. The reception on Steam is a good sign for Brain Jar Games, but arguably the reception on sites like DiscoMaps is even more indicative that this indie rhythm brawler could establish itself as a genre staple.
In our upcoming review we saw how Dead as Disco encourages player expression more than other games in its genre — by allowing special attacks to be used when the player chooses, and having them interact with the beatline via syncopation or double-time, Dead as Disco makes sure even playing the same songs twice feels fresh and engaging.
Dead as Disco isn’t a game about learning what you have to do, it’s a game about exploring what you can do.
You can explore the community-driven DiscoMaps here, as well as join 200k+ other players on Steam in Early Access
