game demos Archives

BetaBeacon

March 12, 2026

Try before you buy: Google Play is adding game trials

Google is introducing game trials on Google Play to allow users to try out paid games before purchasing them. The trials will start on mobile and will eventually be available on PC as well. Additionally, Google is adding new paid indie games and the AI-powered Sidekick feature to select paid games on the platform.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Steam Next Fest is full of Balatro-likes: here’s 7 demos I think you should try

Steam Next Fest features various new game demos inspired by Balatro, including: 1. Gambonanza: A strategic game set on a miniature chessboard where players use chess pieces to battle against the computer, with options to enchant tiles and acquire gambits after mini-matches. 2. Raccoin: A coin pusher arcade game where players drop coins to create chaos and push additional coins into a basket, featuring special coins with unique interactions. It is set to launch on March 31. 3. Coinsweeper: An enhanced version of Minesweeper that allows players to bail out mid-game, offering purchasable items and modifiers for bonuses. 4. Ultrapool: A pool game where players can upgrade and combine pool balls and increase pocket multipliers for higher scores. 5. Rogue Hanafuda: A game using hanafuda cards similar to poker, where players unlock more card plays as they accumulate wealth and can purchase stackable items for bonuses. 6. Capsulitas: A game combining gashapon mechanics where players buy capsules and manage inventory to enhance scoring chances in future rounds.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Steam Next Fest is back and you’ve once again got just 7 days to find your favorite demos among hundreds of choices

The Steam Next Fest is currently taking place, offering a week-long celebration of game demos. It features a wide variety of upcoming titles, including: - Prime Monster: A card-based political roguelike where political leaders are depicted as monsters. - All Will Rise: A narrative deck-builder focused on seeking justice for a slain god. - Vampire Crawlers: A card-based dungeon crawler from the creator of Vampire Survivors. - The Last Gas Station: A game where players control a red panda running a gas station in an electric vehicle-dominated world. - Windrose: An open-world PvE pirate survival game with "soulslite combat" and sea shanties. - Tap Tap Loot: An action-packed game featuring a character reminiscent of Bongo Cat. - Phonopolis: An adventure game from Amanita Design. - Titanium Court: Highlighted as the "first must-play demo" of the event. The Steam Next Fest runs until March 2.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Free PC Game Offering Is a Cozy Animal Crossing Competitor

The ongoing Steam Next Fest runs until 2 March and features a variety of game demos. One highlighted game is Collector’s Cove, a free demo developed by VoodooDuck, where players manage a floating farm aboard a ship, exploring islands and gathering crops and fish. The demo allows players to grow crops, fish, craft items, and personalize their ship, with the goal of becoming a Named-Collector. Progress made in the demo will carry over to the full game, which includes access to the first seven in-game days. Collector’s Cove is compatible with the Steam Deck. Other demos featured in the event include Romestead, The Witch’s Bakery, and Witchspire.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

Resident Evil Requiem is this week’s headline PC game but don’t forget the Witchers, pirates and pinballs

Steam Next Fest is currently taking place, showcasing a variety of game demos. This year, the focus is on highlighting exciting demos rather than creating a wishlist. Some notable games featured include: - A game inspired by hiding spiders under cups at holiday parties, which includes power-up cards that are not microtransactions. - Rise Of Piracy, an early access RTS by MicroProse, where players command a fleet of corsairs and can engage in diplomacy and trading. - Emberbane, a 2D metroidvania with elemental martial arts elements. - Reigns: The Witcher, a deck-building narrative game set in the Witcher universe, where players control Dandelion. - Utawarerumono: ZAN 2, an anime-style hack-and-slash game with base management and humorous elements. - Spellcasters Chronicles, a 3v3 wizard MOBA from Quantic Dream. - Tales of Berseria Remastered, a revamped action-RPG from Bamco. - Snägäri Pinball, a pinball game themed around Finland’s late-night snack kiosks. - Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom's latest horror installment featuring both third-person and first-person gameplay. - Arrow World, a sokoban-style game with conveyor belt mechanics. The RPS team is actively playing Resident Evil Requiem and sharing their experiences.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

February is surprisingly light on cozy game launches but we’re looking forward to these chill picks you shouldn’t miss

Cozy gaming is gaining popularity within the PC gaming community, characterized by charming aesthetics and relaxing gameplay. A special section is dedicated to cozy games, highlighting smaller titles. The Steam Next Fest on February 23 will feature many cozy game demos. Notable cozy game picks for February include: - Reigns: The Witcher: A game that parodies Tinder's swiping mechanics with moral dilemmas faced by Geralt. - Creature Kitchen: A puzzle game where players cater to whimsical characters through cooking and problem-solving. - Bento Blocks: A puzzle game focused on slicing and arranging sushi ingredients into lunchboxes, evoking nostalgia. - Reanimal: A game with horror elements that offers a captivating experience, diverging from typical cozy aesthetics.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Nioh 3’s demo just hit Steam, and it’s achieving higher peak player counts than some full games

Game demos are becoming popular again, particularly during events like Steam Next Fests. A demo for Nioh 3, set to release on February 6th, is available for download on Steam and has reached a peak of 19,590 concurrent players, indicating its success in generating interest. The demo's player count has surpassed that of many full-sized games over their entire lifespan, showcasing its effectiveness as a marketing tool. Nioh 3 offers challenging gameplay with faster combat mechanics and a Diablo-inspired loot system. Feedback has been positive, with some suggesting it could rival games from FromSoftware. Players can add Nioh 3 to their Steam wishlist to receive notifications upon its release.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

I’m bothering the gods in Roman Empire city builder Nova Roma’s new demo, and it might not be the best idea

In the video game Nova Roma, players engage with the Roman Pantheon while managing city-building elements like production chains and supply lines. The demo is available on Steam, with the full game set to launch on January 22 across Steam, GOG, and the Microsoft Store, and will be accessible to PC Game Pass subscribers from day one. Players must balance the demands of the gods with the needs of their settlement, as neglecting divine requests could result in negative consequences.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

You can finally play that Minecraft-style fantasy RPG we keep going on about

Everwind is a game that combines elements of crafting from Minecraft and combat from Skyrim, offering a unique gameplay experience. Players can now try the first playable demo, which features blocky weapons and cooperative play for up to four players. A notable feature of Everwind is the ability to craft large blimps, adding a steampunk element to the game. The demo has received positive initial impressions and is currently ranked third in the 'Top Demos' list for Steam Next Fest, attracting over 8,000 players on its opening day. The game is set to enter early access soon, with the demo available until October 20.

AppWizard

October 13, 2025

Steam Next Fest is back with a trove of demos in tow, and the highlights range from a new Heroes of Might and Magic to physics-based combat sims

Steam Next Fest features a variety of new game demos, including Bubsy 4D, which has received positive feedback. The top trending demos include Olden Era, a prequel to Heroes of Might and Magic with a Mostly Positive user rating, and Half Sword, a physics-based medieval combat simulator. Other notable titles are Yapyap, a multiplayer wizarding game using voice chat for spellcasting; Final Sentence, a typing-based battle royale; Skate Story, praised for its unique tagline; and Let It Die: Inferno, a sequel to a popular roguelike. The event is currently live, allowing players to explore these new gaming experiences.