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Gaming can be an expensive hobby, but there are various ways in which you can save money.
Collecting rewards points to be exchanged for store credit, shopping in sales, and utilising subscription services are just a few of the methods you can take advantage of.
Another is sampling free demos. That way, when you do part with your cash on a full release, you know you’re not doing so on something you’re not going to enjoy.
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With that in mind, allow me to highlight nine of the latest demos to land on Steam which are all free to download and enjoy now.
Let’s begin with a major new addition, a demo for Neople’s upcoming The First Berserker: Khazan - a game you may have seen shown off at several of 2024’s major showcases.
In this action-adventure RPG, you’ll “experience Khazan's legendary journey firsthand as they master intricate and engaging combat mechanics and strategic battles that bring his epic tale to life”.
The demo includes the full-game’s first two missions and progress will carry over into the full release which is due to launch on 27 March.
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Drop Duchy offers a much less, well, violent experience. This is a pleasant roguelite-inspired game which sees players utilise block-dropping mechanics in order to build a settlement, collect resources, and raise a legion of soldiers - something you’ll need to do to find off enemy armies.
This is definitely one that’ll appeal to Civilization fans, although it seems very accessible should you not have taken a foray into this genre before.
Staying with the roguelite genre, I bring you Katanaut - although this one’s far more action-packed and gruesome than Drop Duchy.
Set on a space station, you’ll be tasked with slashing and dodging through waves of “twisted, once-human horrors”. The goal: uncover what happened.
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ICYMI: Take a look at the trailer for the aforementioned The First Berserker: Khazan below.
Offering a far more wholesome experience is Bao Bao’s Cozy Laundromat, an idle game where you, you guessed it, run a laundromat as an adorable panda.
You’ll need to purchase the right machines, hire additional panda helpers, and decorate to satisfy your customers but otherwise, this is one you can leave running whilst you admire the fruits of your minimal labour.
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If pixel-art action-adventure titles ignite your light then you need look no further than Bokura: Planet.
This is a cooperative puzzler that’ll see you and a friend team up as two space explorers who must escape a mysterious planet they’ve landed on.
Doing so will task you with solving a number of puzzles and engaging in a selection of mini-games.
The story here is actually exclusive to the demo so whilst no progress will carry over, you do get to experience a unique narrative not featured in the full game.
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Inkwellers is another co-op puzzler, although this one opts for more realism than the aforementioned Bokura: Planet.
You’ll play, alongside a friend, as one of two Dwellers whose job it is to uncover the mysteries of journals.
In a rather grand house, you’ll seek to uncover a mystery, solving puzzles as you do so.
If rhythm games are more your speed then Lily Fantasia could be the game for you, especially if you’re also a fan of anime-aesthetics.
This one will see you “join the mysterious vampire, Lily, to save your mother in a race against time”.
“Overcome fierce enemies, wield the magical piano, and claim your destiny as a Rhythm Master,” reads the synopsis.
This next title instantly drew me in with its colourful aesthetics. Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime is part strategy RPG, part creature collector.
Bonnie finds her self-worth at an all-time low, and the only way to fix this, apparently, is with a game of Frogtime.
You’ll want to grab your toadbag and set off on a journey, exploring various islands, collecting frogs, and playing plenty of rounds of Frogtime as you do so.
Finally, I’ll round out this list with Shadows of Wyrmwood, a roguelike adventure RPG.
In this title, you’ll use a mixture of spells, your sword, and strategic thoughts to defeat a number of fantasy-inspired corrupted foes.
There are four procedurally-generated maps to conquer, with each victory securing you new weapons and armour.
This one looks a tad more rough around the edges compared to some of the other games on this list, but there’s a nostalgic charm to it. My mind drifts back to the PlayStation 1 era.
Hopefully within this list lies a bit of entertainment to keep you busy this weekend.