Brain Jar Games’ upcoming debut indie, Dead as Disco, appears to be the perfect blend of Hi-Fi Rush and Sifu, meaning it’s something which players should keep an eye on if they’re a fan of martial arts and rhythm-based gameplay. While fans of both Sifu and Hi-Fi Rush continue to hope for sequels, they can look to Dead as Disco for their fix of the brawler and rhythm genres. Based on the gameplay teased via Dead as Disco‘s social media, the indie game seems to combine Hi-Fi Rush‘s rhythm and Sifu‘s seamless fighting for its own hybridized combat.
Projected to release sometime in 2025 on PC and eventually mobile and consoles, Brain Jar Games has been promoting its debut indie game primarily through Discord, TikTok, and YouTube. It seems that the game is still a work in progress, with the studio remaining open to feedback, but what it has revealed about Dead as Disco so far appears promising enough for the game to gain a substantial following. With videos showcasing Dead as Disco‘s combat set to various songs, with players even able to import their own, the upcoming indie game could be just what Hi-Fi Rush and Sifu fans have been looking for.
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Hi-Fi Rush Meets Sifu in Brain Jar Games’ Dead as Disco
Indie games like Hi-Fi Rush and Sifu have been well-received thanks to their focus on rewarding gameplay and distinctive designs. During an interview with Sifu‘s developer Sloclap, the studio touched upon how the game was inspired by the likes of cult classic brawlers like Godhand or martial arts films like The Raid and John Wick. Similarly, the publisher that bought and saved Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks from closure stated that this was done to preserve the studio’s legacy and creative ideas.
But while Tango Gameworks explores a potential Hi-Fi Rush sequel, and Sifu is receiving a live-action adaptation, players searching for a gaming experience similar to these games can look to Dead as Disco as a blend of both. Based on the video posted to Dead as Disco‘s TikTok profile, which can be seen below, the game’s visual identity parallels Hi-Fi Rush‘s iconic cel-shaded animation but with its own retro neon twist, likely influenced by the 80s-like synthwave music genre. Additionally, Dead as Disco combines Hi-Fi Rush‘s music-based combat with the same martial arts brawling that popularized Sifu among gamers.
Like Hi-Fi Rush and Sifu, Dead as Disco Promises Story As Well As Combat
Though Sifu and Hi-Fi Rush kept a strong focus on gameplay, both games also included distinctive stories and premises to help structure this, ranging from cybernetic body augmentations to progressively aging after being resurrected. Similarly, Brain Jar Games has hinted at the potential story behind Dead as Disco, with players taking on the role of “Charlie Disco,” the game’s protagonist who has been brought back from the dead for one last night to reunite their band. This could suggest that Brain Jar Games plans to break the game into different chapters or levels, with players defeating bosses for each band member, though this is purely speculation.
Without More News, It’s Still Early Days For Dead as Disco
However, while Brain Jar Games actively promotes Dead as Disco, there don’t appear to be any game listings on platforms like Steam or Epic Games, which could indicate it isn’t ready yet for a 2025 release. Moreover, unless its PC and console versions differ, a mobile Dead as Disco port could suggest the title’s story and gameplay may be scaled back compared to Hi-Fi Rush and Sifu. Still, as long as Brain Jar Games maintains its momentum and offers more insight into its debut game ahead of its 2025 launch, Dead as Disco could be worth keeping an eye on.
- Released
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January 25, 2023
- ESRB
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Rated T: Fantasy Violence, Language