Dead As Disco Fills My Hi-Fi Rush-Shaped Void

Ever since Hi-Fi Rush elegantly merged high-octane combat with musical beats, I’ve been craving more action games fueled by music. Dead As Disco is now out in early access, and it’s exactly the kind of game that follows in those footsteps while doing enough to stand out.

Beats That Kill

While both Dead As Disco and Hi-Fi Rush are music-oriented action games, Dead As Disco leans more toward Arkham Asylum than Devil May Cry in its combat. You have a counter button for most incoming attacks, certain moves need to be dodged, there is a finisher sequence after landing a few hits, and a takedown system for easy kills. Charlie Disco, the main character, snaps between enemies, and while positioning matters at times, especially when dodging, there is a slight magnetic feel to his movement that makes switching targets effortless.

Your attacks are largely synced to the music, but if you time them well, you earn more points, deal more damage, dodge efficiently, and build more meter. You do not even need to look at the timing indicator on the right side. It just feels right when you are playing in rhythm. That is something Hi-Fi Rush did exceptionally well, and Dead As Disco builds on it with multiple music styles.

The idols are the main highlight, and each stage is built around their unique musical identity, which directly influences their overall stage, appearance, and energy. You begin by fighting minions, and the level gradually evolves as you defeat enough enemies, with the idol remaining a constant presence. Eventually, you face them in a one-on-one fight. It’s like an interactive music video where you’re the hostile entity.

These encounters feel strong early on, and it takes a few runs to fully understand their timing and attack patterns. The presentation is superb, and everything about it feels deliberate, with a clear commitment to the Idol’s artistic identity.

It is a bit light on story at the moment, with much of the dialogue unvoiced and some placeholder assets that will likely be refined as early access progresses. Overall, if you are skilled enough, you can clear the four stages through pure execution, which is a great sign. Since this is an early access title, more updates are on the way, including multiplayer support, new bosses, enemies, arenas, full voice acting, achievements, and more. Here is the current roadmap:

Even with just four idols, I can recommend the game. Once you are done with them, there are plenty of challenges to take on, along with a freeplay mode that lets you enjoy the combat with any track you want, whether from the curated collection or your own imports. You can also create playlists and simply enjoy the combat as more content arrives through updates.

It is currently available with a 20 percent discount on Steam, which will remain active until May 19, 2026. Its price will be increased when 1.0 launches, and the developers estimate that the early access period will last around a year.