ZA/UM Unveils ZERO PARADES: A Deep Dive into a New RPG
ZA/UM, the acclaimed studio best known for the groundbreaking RPG Disco Elysium, has officially announced its next major project: ZERO PARADES. Despite the departure of key creative talents who shaped Disco Elysium, the new game’s description strongly evokes the same unique narrative flavor and deep character exploration that fans have come to expect.
A Hero Haunted by Her Past
At the heart of ZERO PARADES is Operant Hershel Wilk, a protagonist whose very touch turns everything to ash. Weary of life and potentially cursed, Hershel is tormented by past mistakes. Five years prior, she led her team into a catastrophic abyss, and the echoes of those failures continue to haunt her. Now, a mysterious new assignment offers her a glimmer of hope—a chance to prove that her story isn't over yet, and perhaps, to find a path to redemption.
The City as a Character
Just like Revachol in Disco Elysium, the unnamed city where ZERO PARADES unfolds is presented as a living, breathing character, brimming with its own secrets, traumas, and hidden wonders. This is a world where failed space programs exist alongside state-funded pop stars and the eerie practice of illegal mind-wiping. Players will encounter a diverse cast of inhabitants, from international bankers and foreign technofascists to a paranoid TV host and dozens of other colorful personalities, each adding to the city’s rich tapestry.
Embracing Failure and Consequences
The nature of an Operant’s work in ZERO PARADES means that players will likely experience failure far more often than triumph. The developers emphasize that when luck inevitably turns its back on you (and it often will), you'll be forced to improvise and grapple with the lasting consequences of your choices. This core mechanic promises a deeply immersive and challenging narrative experience, where every decision carries significant weight.
Availability and What it Means for Players
ZERO PARADES already has a Steam page available for wishlisting, though a release date has not yet been announced. Currently, English is the only supported language listed. For fans of Disco Elysium and those who appreciate rich storytelling, moral ambiguity, and narrative-driven gameplay, ZERO PARADES presents an exciting prospect. It’s a chance to delve into another intricately crafted world from ZA/UM, where player choices and their repercussions truly matter, promising an adventure where even failure can be a path to discovery.
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