Six killer free game demos
Added 2025-03-11 04:01:01 +0000 UTC
Don't get us wrong, we've enjoyed swimming in the flash flood of big-budget games. But after sinking dozens of hours into not one, but two massive RPGs inspired by marine biology, it's a relief to splash about in something smaller. Shorter. Free-er.
Steam Next Fest arrived at the perfect time. And though the thrice-a-year demo drop is technically complete, most of its best demos remain on Steam. We chat about six favorites, including a new trend in tower defense, a love letter to early '00s open-worlds, and a local multiplayer riff on arcade basketball.
Steam Next Fest demos
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Comments
What are the two “massive rpgs inspired by marine biology” that they reference in the episode description?
ThanaThots
2025-03-19 14:08:52 +0000 UTCA little late to the party but has anyone checked out the demo for Megabonk? Super wacky third person survivors game with PS1-like graphics. I’ve put close to ten hours into it!
Nigel Highton
2025-03-18 11:53:45 +0000 UTCHell yeah thanks so much!
Landon Pate
2025-03-12 15:23:41 +0000 UTCagreeing people should check out he is coming. i think it still has some stuff to work out, and it could do with a bit more tutorialization of some stuff, but honestly the vibe is fun and the runs are quick and simple and enjoyable
Nicolas Barreto
2025-03-12 03:03:16 +0000 UTCLoved the demo! Can’t wait for the full game.
Colton Butcher
2025-03-12 01:06:23 +0000 UTChttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1bflT9r77mHv9odDNbbEj03H_njnZOMRdWL9CvO2isg4/edit?usp=sharing
Chris
2025-03-11 23:24:48 +0000 UTCHee's an itinerary i put together that's basically a combo of various trips I've taken. Lots of fun stuff -- though triple check that stuff that interests you is still open! The guide is from right before covid.
Chris
2025-03-11 23:24:44 +0000 UTCCame here to plug this. It has that great gamefeel where you can just have a lot of fun moving around the world. I spent like 10 minutes running around the starting area.
Devin White
2025-03-11 23:09:03 +0000 UTCLoved the Game Center guide plug, I’m going to Tokyo in a few weeks and wondered if y’all could share some other resources yall used/trust when visiting? Obviously your own recommendations I wouldn’t find anywhere else would be huge.
Landon Pate
2025-03-11 20:06:14 +0000 UTCJeanne Dielmann on a video game podcast?? Immaculate taste!
Colton Butcher
2025-03-11 17:45:54 +0000 UTCHe Is Coming is a really rad early PC / Atari era looking auto battler where you kind of play as a knight going around what I can best describe as a Mario map but will occasionally meet enemies or points of interest where it becomes an auto battler. It has a day night system and after 5 days a bit boss comes and time only moves when you move across the map. Really really cool game. ALSO TMNT Tactical Takedown is so read it's just a turn based tactics game but you're ninja turtles the game is amazing. Finally I'd say SKIN DEEP is an amazing comedy Deus Ex like, where you can throw banana's to make enemies slip and has an absurd cat based story. It's made by the folks that made Quadrilateral cowboy, rad stuff
Ethan Holland
2025-03-11 17:43:08 +0000 UTCI assumed but definitely needed to check that you somehow didn't miss this one. Looking forward to it!
Jesse Koechling
2025-03-11 15:16:11 +0000 UTCI'm enjoying that the more Plante shares about movies, the more of a caraciture of himself he becomes.
IHaveARussFrushtickBodyPillow
2025-03-11 13:46:47 +0000 UTCNot sure this is the best avenue to ask this: Justin’s niche tech adventure is inspiring me and I was curious what sources he’s using to learn all this stuff. I’m starting with a raspberry pi and branching off from there but was curious about learning materials and sources he (or you) find helpful. I am a 40 dummy with very little experience in this realm so emphasis on helpful and learning.
Nick B
2025-03-11 13:05:25 +0000 UTCI really enjoyed Is This Seat Taken? Super cute and chill.
beampatrol
2025-03-11 08:28:21 +0000 UTC!!!!!
Chris
2025-03-11 06:20:59 +0000 UTCWe’ll definitely be talking about this game soon!
Chris
2025-03-11 06:20:42 +0000 UTCMan, you guys need to check out the Haste demo! It’s Sonic Adventure meets Tiny Wings and just feels like a perfect Resties demo for this. As soon as I played it I thought of you all. Can’t wait for the full release!
Aeide
2025-03-11 04:51:09 +0000 UTCI keep expecting you all to talk about the Blue Prince demo
Jesse Koechling
2025-03-11 04:27:09 +0000 UTC9 Kings rules. I've also been really enjoying He Is Coming... great, fast paced retro-styled roguelike
Kerry Benton
2025-03-11 04:04:43 +0000 UTC
