The top Steam Next Fest demos: experience these 10 games for free right now.

      The first of many Steam Next Fests set for 2025 is here, offering more game demos than anyone can try. The latest version of the PC storefront’s event showcasing upcoming titles with playable demos runs from February 24 to March 3, but where should you begin? Notable early highlights include the quirky Skin Deep and the turn-based strategy game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown. These barely scratch the surface of what Next Fest has to offer. To simplify things, here are ten fantastic demos to consider if you're feeling overwhelmed.

      Demon Tides

      If you're craving more 3D platforming action after experiencing Astro Bot last year, check out Demon Tides. This cartoonish adventure takes place in a world filled with islands and open seas, presenting a responsive and fast-paced platformer that shows great potential. Although the demo doesn't provide an in-depth look at how Demon Tides will develop its narrative, the platforming experience offered is solid enough to land this game on my wishlist after playtime.

      Despelote

      I first encountered Despelote at the 2023 Tribeca Festival and was immediately drawn to this semi-autobiographical slice-of-life game. Set during Ecuador’s first World Cup qualifying run in 2001, Despelote is a thrilling video game documentary that immerses players in a community experiencing cultural change. Exploring the small town in Despelote and discovering the various tasks an 8-year-old can engage in feels mundane yet profoundly immersive.

      Fellowship

      While I appreciate MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV and World of Warcraft for their high-end raids, I recognize that not everyone can dedicate hundreds of hours to these thrilling encounters. This is where Fellowship shines. This co-op game allows players to assume traditional roles such as healer, tank, or damage dealer to form teams and tackle MMO-inspired dungeon challenges. Once completed, players can dive into new dungeons or revisit previous ones with new modifiers that subtly alter the difficulty and mechanics, creating a game that is endlessly replayable and makes one of the best aspects of MMOs more accessible.

      Gothic 1 Remake

      I admit I wasn't familiar with the original Gothic from 2001 when I downloaded the demo for its upcoming remake. However, I found myself engrossed in the captivating world of Myrtana during the brief experience Gothic 1 Remake offers at Steam Next Fest. The visuals receive a modern upgrade, while the essence of the classic 2001 RPG remains intact. Gothic 1 Remake adopts a more hands-off approach with players, allowing them to influence the world through both mechanical and narrative choices, but it makes the environment more perilous. This is ideal for anyone who enjoyed recent titles like Dragon’s Dogma 2 or Avowed.

      Is This Seat Taken?

      Everything has its place, and that’s the concept behind the logical puzzle game Is This Seat Taken? Each compact level in the demo presents players with a scene filled with people looking for their spots, whether it’s in a restaurant, a movie theater, or on a bus. To arrange everyone appropriately and complete a level, players must consider each character’s quirks. For instance, some individuals will only sit by a window on a bus. This is just one example of the types of constraints players must navigate. The result is a series of charming, quirky, and delectably challenging puzzles. If you enjoy this style of gameplay, you might also like While Waiting.

      Moves of the Diamond Hand

      Cosmo D, known for 2022’s Betrayal At Club Low, returns with another dice-based RPG that promises to be just as engaging. Moves of the Diamond Hand centers around a player's quest to join a traveling circus. To achieve this, players explore the low-poly landscape of Off-Peak City and find their way into the circus. This is accomplished through dice checks for every action. Talking to characters? Roll the dice. Making a sandwich? Roll the dice! Disguising yourself? You get the idea. Even in demo form, Moves of the Diamond Hand already displays an impressive level of depth in its world and the influence players wield due to its dice-based mechanics.

      Skulker

      Krow Game

      I'm fond of fishing in video games, making Skulker one of my top discoveries during this Next Fest. This relatively tranquil game focuses solely on the pleasure of casting a line and catching fish. Although the entire game can be played with one hand, the mechanics of fishing are by no means simple. To keep the gameplay fresh, Skulker incorporates various randomized fishing mini-games, so players never know what to expect with each cast. There’s a Stardew Valley-style target-following mini-game, a word search, and more unexpected fishing twists that make Skulker an excitement for any fishing enthusiast.

      Static Dread: 15 Nights at the Old Lighthouse

      Promoted as “Lovecraft meets Papers, Please,” Static Dread is perfect