The Best Steam Games With Demos

Once a common occurrence in video gaming, demos have fallen out of favor over the years. However, with the popularity of events such as Steam Next Fest and the increasing number of games released every year, demos are becoming all the more common again.

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With the aforementioned Steam Next Fest championing upcoming indie games, the independent space in particular has seen an influx of demos. Games with specific niches and quirky ideas benefit especially from a public demo, allowing players to try before they buy and avoiding potentially negative reviews.

8 Heroes Of Hammerwatch 2

A Roguelite ARPG With Online Co-Op

This top-down action RPG features a roguelite structure and stylish pixel art, supported by simple exploration and a variety of items and classes. The game's combat and RPG systems are the obvious draw, but the accessibility of its persistent progression makes it tremendously friendly to newcomers.

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The overall presentation and roguelite gameplay loop are well-crafted. However, the roguelite structure and familiar ARPG combat may prove an acquired taste for some, making the game's demo well worth trying out.

7 Tiny Glade

Cozy Building With An Acquired Taste

Similarly to games such as Townscaper, Tiny Glade is a cozy building game with no challenges or overarching goals. Instead, players are charged only with exercising their creativity to build miniature dioramas.

The smooth, colorful graphics and well-crafted ambiance of Tiny Glade are obvious strengths, providing a relaxing environment in which to be creative. However, the game caters to a very specific niche, and the total lack of direction may leave some players wanting more. As a result, unsure players should certainly consider playing the demo beforehand.

6 INSIDE

A Niche Puzzle Game With An Immersive Atmosphere

This narrative-driven puzzle-platformer provides a deeply atmospheric adventure through a dark, dystopian world. The minimalist graphics, immersive sound design, and mysterious atmosphere all help to create a memorable experience that's worth trying out.

However, the game is relatively simple in its design, consisting of a string of puzzles and stealth sections that together build toward a frantic climax. Puzzle games won't be for everyone, and death is possible throughout the game, giving INSIDE a somewhat acquired taste. As a result, players may want to consider trying out the demo first.

5 Crow Country

A Heavily Stylized Survival-Horror Experience

Survival horror typically provides players with a great deal of challenge and unforgiving resource management. While Crow Country isn't the most unforgiving survival-horror title on the market, those unfamiliar with the genre should almost certainly try the demo first.

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Furthermore, the game features a truly unique art style that, while well-crafted, may be an acquired taste for some. The old-school influences extend beyond the visuals to the game's design. Because of this, players may want to set their expectations with the demo before playing the full game.

4 Going Under

An Action Roguelike With A Unique Structure

Going Under is a unique action roguelike with roguelite elements, providing players with consistent progression that allows them to add new items to the upgrade pool. Most notably, though, Going Under features a unique structure that splits its various areas into separate dungeons, rather than stringing them together for one large run. However, it's worth noting that players can eventually unlock the ability to play through dungeons in one sequence.

This structure is unique but remarkably accessible, allowing players to enjoy short, snappy runs while enjoying the gameplay of an action roguelike. However, it may be an acquired taste. Furthermore, the game's tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, quirky characters, and brawler combat won't be for everyone. As a result, the demo is most certainly worth a shot.

3 HROT

A Straightforward FPS With A Well-Crafted Atmosphere

HROT is a strange game. It's an old-school FPS with a drab retro style and a truly dreary atmosphere. It's a downtrodden, glum experience. However, it's also tremendously immersive, packed with brutalist architecture and unsettling imagery.

The gunplay here takes a major backseat, though there are plenty of expressive FPS action and combat arenas to enjoy. As a result, the world and the immersive atmosphere are really the main draw, and that won't be enough for everyone. Due to the acquired taste of its focus and the specificity of its style, HROT's demo is well worth trying out beforehand.

2 Castle Crashers

A Classic Beat 'Em Up That Excels In Co-Op

Castle Crashers is a distinctive and highly memorable combination of tongue-in-cheek humor, cartoon violence, and classic beat 'em-up gameplay. It's elevated, though, by the addition of cooperative multiplayer and RPG elements that add to the game without overcomplicating it.

Castle Crashers isn't necessarily an acquired taste, its gameplay is wholeheartedly inoffensive, but its quirky tone and cartoon style may not be for everyone. As a result, trying the demo first would be a wise choice for those who are unsure.

1 CULTIC

A Horror-Infused FPS With Classic Influences

CULTIC is a crunchy FPS with expressive controls and a retro style, featuring pixelated graphics and billboard sprites that are tremendously old-school. However, the game's visual style and streamlined gameplay won't be for everyone, and its horror elements make it even more of an acquired taste.

The game's art style, while certainly retro-inspired, stands out with its unique color palette, which won't appeal to everyone. The same can be said of its simple but well-crafted old-school gameplay, which may not appeal to those unfamiliar with the genre. As a result, players who are new to the genre may want to try CULTIC's demo before committing to the full game.

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