12 Free Steam Demos That Are Actually Worth Playing

If you’re a variety gamer like me, you’re always on the lookout for new titles to try. But it’s tough to get a true feel for a game without playing it first, and with video game prices climbing across the board, picking the wrong one can be a costly mistake.

That’s where demos come in. They give you a free sneak peek at the gameplay, helping you decide whether it’s worth the full purchase. With that in mind, here are some of the best free demos on Steam that deliver impressive bang for your buck.

1

Dead as Disco

Described by its developers as “martial arts meets music video,” Dead as Disco is a rhythm-based beat ’em up where your punches, kicks, and combos land in sync with the soundtrack.

The demo includes a tutorial, a sample story mission, and an endless wave-based mode to test how long you can survive. There are 11 songs available by default, but the demo also lets you import your own tracks, adding surprising replay value to an already generous demo. And if you’re the competitive type, there’s even a global and friends leaderboard.

Dead as Disco is a stylish, creative concept that stands out on its own, and the fact that its free demo offers this much content makes it an easy recommendation.

2

BOTSU

BOTSU pits you against other players in ragdoll, physics-based battlesports. You can play split-screen with up to four friends, or head online to match up against other teams. It gives off serious Fall Guys and Party Animals vibes, featuring many of the same hectic game modes you’ll find in those titles.

That said, BOTSU isn’t just a copycat. It brings its own flavor to the genre, and it’s hard to get bored when you’re tossing people into lava or dunking basketballs on their heads. Best of all, you can do it all for free in the demo.

3

FUMES

FUMES will instantly grab the attention of any Mad Max fans out there. You play as a heavily armed, customizable car roaming the wasteland, battling enemies, completing quests and challenges, and taking on bosses. While you’re free to explore an endless, procedurally-generated world, there’s also a structured story to follow.

The demo wastes no time pulling you in. Within seconds, you’re being chased by enemy vehicles before entering into your first boss fight. Overall, it’s a fast-paced, chaotic ride that calls back to classics like Twisted Metal and Vigilante 8. Even if it doesn’t seem like your usual style, FUMES is unique enough that it’s worth checking out.

4

He is Coming

He is Coming is an intriguing mash-up of roguelike, RPG, and auto-battler elements. It features a retro, dark fantasy aesthetic and puts you in control of a lone champion tasked with growing strong enough to defeat the looming threat of the Demon King. Along the way, you’ll battle minions and collect powerful weapons and artifacts to improve your chances.

The demo for He is Coming might offer the most potential playtime of any on this list. Just check the Steam reviews: one user has logged over 170 hours, and several others have clocked in days of playtime on the demo alone. The gameplay loop is highly addictive, and the roguelike mechanics give you a compelling reason to keep coming back for another run at the Demon King.

He Is Coming

Systems

Released

2025

Publisher(s)

Hooded Horse

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Number of Players

Single-player

Steam Deck Compatibility

Unknown

5

The First Berserker: Khazan

The First Berserker: Khazan is a Soulslike action RPG with an anime-inspired art style, putting you in the shoes of General Khazan on a brutal quest for revenge. It’s a game that invites comparisons to Elden Ring and Lies of P, yet it’s flown somewhat under the radar.

With a $60 price tag for the standard edition, hesitation is understandable—especially given how saturated the genre is and how intimidating Soulslikes can be. But what sets The First Berserker: Khazan apart is its content-packed free demo. You get to explore multiple areas, battle several bosses, and experiment with various weapons, abilities, and skill trees.

It’s replayable, too, so you can dig into different builds and approaches. If you’ve ever been curious about the Soulslike genre—or you’re already a fan but were put off by the price—this demo is a risk-free way to see if it’s for you.

The First Berserker: Khazan

Released

March 27, 2025

Developer(s)

Neople

Publisher(s)

Nexon

6

Shape of Dreams

Another hybrid of a game, Shape of Dreams combines action-roguelike gameplay with MOBA-style controls and systems. This demo is lauded for how much content it offers; it almost feels like a full game already. There are multiple playable characters, each with distinct playstyles and build possibilities, plus four-player co-op multiplayer included right in the demo.

There are probably better comparisons, but to me, it reminds me of a roguelike lovechild of Path of Exile and League of Legends.

7

Resident Evil 7

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard broke new ground for the franchise, marking the first mainline entry to adopt a first-person perspective. Capcom nailed the execution; it’s still considered one of the best games in the series.

The demo offers less content than most others on this list, giving you about an hour of straightforward gameplay. But if you can stomach scary games and enjoy the classic Resident Evil formula, it’s a great, free introduction to one of the franchise’s standout titles.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Released

January 24, 2017

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Developer(s)

Capcom

Publisher(s)

Capcom

8

Haste

If I had to describe Haste, I’d say it’s like Sonic the Hedgehog—except you play as a human, the levels are procedurally-generated, and there are light roguelike elements. It’s a simple but fun concept, perfect for quick sessions and that irresistible “just one more run” feeling.

The demo includes a tutorial, a small hub world, a variety of levels and challenges, and a boss fight. Even after completing it, the procedural generation and the drive to ace challenges or improve your speed will keep you coming back. If you’re into high-octane, non-stop, “gotta go fast” action, Haste is definitely worth a download.

Haste

Systems

Released

April 1, 2025

Developer(s)

Landfall

Publisher(s)

Landfall

Steam Deck Compatibility

Playable

PC Release Date

April 1, 2025

9

Factorio

Factorio, the wildly popular automation, base-building, and resource management game, happens to have a pretty solid free demo. It essentially functions as the game’s tutorial, guiding you through a series of missions to help you get a feel for how everything works.

Still, it’s easy to sink double-digit hours into the demo—unless the urge to buy the full game kicks in first. If you do decide to purchase it, you’ll unlock Freeplay mode (the intended way to play), a deeper tech tree, multiplayer support, and access to an extensive modding community.

Factorio

Systems

Released

August 14, 2020

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood, Violence

Developer(s)

Wube Software

Publisher(s)

Wube Software

10

Twisted Tower

Twisted Tower wears its BioShock influence on its sleeve, but instead of an underwater dystopia or a city in the sky, this one takes place in an abandoned theme park. The demo drops you just outside the titular tower and lets you experience the first few floors, encountering a handful of enemies, weapons, and characters along the way.

What really makes Twisted Tower worth trying is how bizarre and out-there it feels. Its weirdness sticks with you, leaving you genuinely curious about what else might be hiding inside this unsettling, surreal tower.