Summary:
- Steam demos are a great way to sample new games for free and get an idea of what’s next.
- These demos provide a tasting experience of different genres, so there is something for everyone.
- Many of the demos put new spins on particular game genres, leading to even more fun and unpredictable adventures.
The demo games on Steam are a great way to dig into new gaming experiences, for free! If you’re searching for a new gaming obsession or just want to kill time with something new, demos provide little bites of what’s to come. This week’s demo roundup is all about the excitement of variety, offering atmospheric explorations, psychedelic roguelikes, and more. Check all of these demos out and see if they make the cut for your wishlist!
Possessor(s)
Possessor(s) is an intriguing, quick-paced action side-scroller made by Heart Machine, known for their masterpieces Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, along with their developing partner, Devolver Digital (publisher). Moreover, in terms of the gameplay, Possessor(s) forms a mix of the Metroidvania and platform fighter genres into what Heart Machine terms “search action. There’s plenty of non-linear exploration within a large map, and players will have to collect items and abilities to progress.
The game takes place in the flooded dystopian metropolis of Sanzu City. It thrusts players into a surrealistic inter-dimensional horror where a megacorporation’s grotesque experiments unleashed demons capable of possessing ordinary objects. Here, players control a young girl named Luca, who’s just survived a horrific demon attack on her hometown. Except she lost her legs, along with a brooding demon, Rhem, who just wants a new body.
Dead as Disco
Dead as Disco is a one-of-a-kind rhythm-based beat ’em up game that expertly combines martial arts-style combat with a killer soundtrack. Here, players control Charlie Disco, a past-his-prime music icon, out to gain revenge against bigger-than-life Idols that were once his former bandmates. The gameplay, incredible art, and music showcase the themes reflected through each Idol’s own respective musical territory. And, it’s tied together in an exciting, nonlinear story about reconvening, betrayal, and redemption throughout one epic night.
One thing that really makes Dead as Disco stand out is its unique “Beat Kune Do” combat system. It requires you to time every punch, every dodge, and every combo to the beat like a dance. The demo was very well received for its stylish Batman Arkham-style combat and its bright cyberpunk aesthetic. Ultimately, it has a great original soundtrack, with streamer-safe licensed songs—you can even upload your own music!
NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound
If you’re a fan of hard, skill-based platformers, then you have to get a load of NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound. It just released a Steam demo game in June 2025, right before the full launch on July 31, 2025. The Game Kitchen, which you may know from Blasphemous, is developing this game, and the publisher, Dotemu, is producing it.
This entry in the Ninja Gaiden franchise is a 2D side-scrolling action platformer (and also retro-styled). And it takes the classic Ninja Gaiden formula and breathes new life into it, with fast-paced, fluid combat and brutal ninja action, all wrapped in amazing pixel art.
METAL EDEN
One of the coolest demos to play this week is METAL EDEN, a sci-fi, adrenaline-pumping FPS from Polish developer Reikon Games, who made the popular Ruiner. The game’s Steam demo is visually stunning, featuring clean, cyberpunk-themed visuals and heavy, satisfying combat animations.
The demo plunges players into the role of Aska, a fast-moving combat android, on a super important mission to save human colonists from Moebius, an orbiting city under attack from cyborgs and corrupted automatic defenses. METAL EDEN also combines fast-paced, brutal arena combat with vertical movement elements from games like Mirror’s Edge and Titanfall 2, which is an awesome combination.
DOWNHILL
If you want a fresh and immersive RPG experience with new mechanics, check out the free DOWNHILL demo on Steam. This action RPG, written and developed by Sisterhood Games, has unique fourth-wall-breaking mechanics that set it apart from other RPGs. The main character, Fade, knows that it is you, the player, who is controlling her. The game’s meta-narrative makes this especially compelling because Fade can respond to your commands, ask questions about your choices, or even refuse to be controlled.
Set in the alternate universe of Raghned, where day and night happen independently to keep the weird and strange at bay, players move between two worlds: Dayworld and Nightworld. There are also the added consequences that players face by using limited time, dangerous, Nightwalking powers, making encounters more strategic. Players can shape Fade’s morality through their choices that unlock different skill trees, as well. They can even choose to cultivate a friendship or put Fade under their strict control.
Conclusion
Playing the demo games on Steam feels a bit like a glimpse into the future of gaming. You get to experience the hype before everyone else and support developers who take a leap of faith in creativity. Best, you uncover great games that can quickly become your next obsession (without risk). So find that one you want to remember now, then add it to your wishlist till the official release!
Writer’s Recommendation:
If you enjoyed checking out the best Steam demo games, don’t stop there! Explore the realm of PC gaming with our broader and latest articles on under-the-radar games. We have something for everyone to keep your wishlist growing.
