Demos—post game demos here

[Brian Boru]

Empires of the Undergrowth

Haven't had a chance to play this RTS demo yet, but perafilozof's video makes it sound like fun …or therapy

It's all insects, you're an ant colony struggling in a dangerous world—so it scores on theme rarity alone.

 

[Brian Boru]

Will give this one a spin later:

SEASON: A letter to the future on Steam

Leave home for the first time to collect memories before a mysterious cataclysm washes everything away. Ride, record, meet people, and unravel the strange world around you. Immerse yourself in the world of Season, a third-person meditative exploration game.

store.steampowered.com

 

[Brian Boru]

give this one a spin

Well Season was a waste of time—no workable KB & Mouse control I could find, only controller.

Couldn't get out of it either, had to kill via Task Manager

 

[Brian Boru]

A Guidebook Of Babel Demo

Hmm, this wouldn't let me leave either, but I was able to kill it via the Taskbar after Ctrl-Esc.

Exiting is one of the first things I check with any new piece of software. If that doesn't work, then I dump it.

 

[ZedClampet]

Save 40% on Strategic Mind: Spirit of Liberty on Steam

Prove to have a true Strategic Mind! Spirit of Liberty will put your strategic planning skills to the test. It’s a hardcore, turn-based, historically accurate strategy game set in WWII. Lead Finnish forces against an overwhelming threat through the Winter War, Continuation War, and Lapland War.

store.steampowered.com

Haven't played this, but it looks good to me. There are four other games in this series, and I believe they all have demos.

 

[Imperial2023]

Check out Weather Dominance (the demo) here https://store.steampowered.com/app/2422990/Weather_Dominance

 

[Brian Boru]

Weather Dominance

"2D action side scroller game where you play as a cloud and you try to help the npcs with platforming and save the environment from the eco-disasters"

 

[ZedClampet]

Demos I came across at Epic:

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/crying-suns--demo

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/aeterna-noctis

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/bonfire-peaks

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/unmetal--demo

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/chorus--demo

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/the-last-friend--demo

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/hundred-days-winemaking-simulator--demo

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/ghostrunner--demo

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/startup-panic

Edit: Ew that's terrible. I was expecting it to bring in formatting and blurbs like Steam does.

 

[Brian Boru]

I was expecting it to bring in formatting and blurbs like Steam does

@CParsons Hey Chris, is this a forum or Epic thing? "unfurl" is set to 'true'. Epic sometimes shows blurbs in the free games thread, sometimes doesn't.

Epic uses a different product page for the demo, whereas Steam doesn't—ie the demo is available from the main product page.

Testing with Vivaldi browser:

Epic demo

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/crying-suns--demo

Epic main page

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/crying-suns

Steam page

Save 70% on Crying Suns on Steam

Crying Suns is a tactical rogue-lite that puts you in the role of a space fleet commander as you explore a mysteriously fallen empire. In this story rich experience inspired by Dune and Foundation, each successful run will uncover the truth about the Empire... and yourself as well.

store.steampowered.com

ETA @CParsons When I posted above, the 2 Epic links displayed a "loading…" text for a second or two before providing just the links. So maybe there's something in forum settings which chokes Epic's way of doing things

 

[Pifanjr]

I can recommend Crying Suns by the way. The gameplay is pretty simple but there's quite a lot of variety in playstyles you unlock throughout the game. I also really liked the story.

 

[CParsons]

@CParsons Hey Chris, is this a forum or Epic thing? "unfurl" is set to 'true'. Epic sometimes shows blurbs in the free games thread, sometimes doesn't.

Epic uses a different product page for the demo, whereas Steam doesn't—ie the demo is available from the main product page.

Testing with Vivaldi browser:

Epic demo

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/crying-suns--demo

Epic main page

https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/crying-suns

Steam page

Save 70% on Crying Suns on Steam

Crying Suns is a tactical rogue-lite that puts you in the role of a space fleet commander as you explore a mysteriously fallen empire. In this story rich experience inspired by Dune and Foundation, each successful run will uncover the truth about the Empire... and yourself as well.

store.steampowered.com

ETA @CParsons When I posted above, the 2 Epic links displayed a "loading…" text for a second or two before providing just the links. So maybe there's something in forum settings which chokes Epic's way of doing things

Epic uses an age gate. The forums won't show that page because it offers no real preview. They're doing something else odd too though, you can see it in action here. Test a Steam page and then an Epic page, the Steam page will work and the Epic will likely fail, so not sure I can fix it here since it's not entirely an us thing.

 

[Brian Boru]

Test a Steam page and then an Epic page, the Steam page will work and the Epic will likely fail

Same 2 Crying Suns pages as post #159. Steam works, Epic gives:

So Epic is sending something different out. Thanks for checking Chris, hope you had a nice holiday

 

[ZedClampet]

ARTIFICIAL on Steam

ARTIFICIAL is a physics based first-person puzzle platformer inspired by Portal & Half-Life series. Interact with the environment, pick up and throw objects, sneak around enemies, control intricate physics-based mechanisms and learn how to survive in the underground colony of the Asteroid 2031 XT

store.steampowered.com

Haven't tried this yet, but the people on Steam forums love the demo. I've even seen it called "the new Portal". The trailers look great. Remarkably it's made by a "tiny team" or possibly even just one guy (I looked but couldn't find clarification).

There is also a free prequel that is coming some time in October.

 

[ZedClampet]

Three colony sim/city builder demos mentioned in the PCG article that I linked to in the other thread:

Pioneers of Pagonia on Steam

This city builder challenges you to build a thriving community while facing the dangers of an untamed land. Lead your people to success in a procedurally generated and dynamic world. Construct detailed settlements, defend against emerging threats, and optimize resource management.

store.steampowered.com

Dotage on Steam

Village elder, help us! The Apocalypse is approaching, and we need your guidance to survive. Assign your workers and build a thriving village against the pending doom. DotAGE is the merciless survival roguelite turn-based city builder. Will you fulfill the Prophecy?

store.steampowered.com

Laysara: Summit Kingdom on Steam

Build and expand your very own settlements in high mountains! Carefully plan production chains and satisfy various needs of your three-caste society while dealing with mountain hazards such as weather breakdowns and avalanches. Are you skilled enough to make your town thrive?

store.steampowered.com

I'm going to get around to trying Pioneers and Laysara (I can't do the graphics in Dotage) sometime in the next 24 hours. If I notice anything important, I'll update this post.

 

[Brian Boru]

I'm going to get around to trying Pioneers

I watched a 9m video of Pioneers of Pagonia by Peter of perafilozof channel a few days ago, looks good.

 

[ZedClampet]

I watched a 9m video of Pioneers of Pagonia by Peter of perafilozof channel a few days ago, looks good.

It took less than 5 minutes in the demo to know I'm ready to send them my money

 

[ZedClampet]

The Talos Principle 2 on Steam

The Talos Principle 2 is a thought-provoking first-person puzzle experience that greatly expands on the first game's philosophical themes and stunning environments with increasingly mind-bending challenges.

store.steampowered.com

I didn't see this posted before. The first one was one of my all-time favorite games. I did maybe 8 or 9 puzzles in the demo, but whether I want this sequel was never in question, so I quit the demo to avoid spoilers (although the demo does say at the beginning that it has been changed from the full game to avoid spoilers).

Is this another Patient Gamer game @Brian Boru or do you sometimes make exceptions? Can you be Bold and Decisive Gamer instead?

 

[Brian Boru]

Hah, the 20GB demo download is why 'Reply' with quote didn't work! Oh well, you can wait…

Can you be Bold and Decisive Gamer instead?

You realize you're asking me to become a BAD Gamer—get thee behind me Santa, that's your province!

Is this another Patient Gamer game

I've mostly gone off puzzle games in the past year or so—eg got bored with The Witness after~½ hour. But I like what the blurb about TTP2 says…
"Finish the game without solving every puzzle"
…which should mean we won't be held hostage by a stumbling block.

Oh dear, my 1060 is well behind the recommended 3070—but above minimum 970, so maybe the demo will play.

Tempting—TTP1 is my #1 puzzle game of all, but yeah, another patient game. Why on earth would I want it now, if I want some Talos action I can replay 1 and Gehenna since I've forgotten all the details? TTP2 will be just as good in 2025 as it will be this year

Okay, downloaded, time to explore…

 

[neogunhero]

Currently Steam is holding another Next Fest showcasing thousands of different games and their demos. Most of these game demos are very early versions, so they are usually unpolished. I’ve checked out a couple so far, here are my initial thoughts.

SENTRY on Steam

SENTRY is an action-defense first person shooter where you defend your spaceship against a relentless alien threat. Use traps, turrets and environmental destruction to repel invading hordes and engage the enemy in fast-paced FPS action across a dynamic singleplayer or co-op campaign.

store.steampowered.com

SENTRY - Sentry is a FPS wave based defense game. It feels a bit like tower defense, but instead of a set path, you are on a randomly generated spaceship level where you must place traps and defenses to help you take out the waves of enemies that are about to come. The shooting feels great and there is a nice variety of traps and weapons you can use. The enemy types have nice variations and unique abilities, but I haven’t played too much so I am not sure how many more enemies there are. It was a pretty fun experience, although maybe not exactly what I want to play. Could be more fun in coop.

Pre-purchase Gangs of Sherwood on Steam

Fight the armies of the Sheriff of Nottingham and lead the rebellion, solo or in co-op with up to 4 players. Play as one of the Merry Men, combine your attacks, and free the people in this futuristic dystopia inspired by the legend of Robin Hood.

store.steampowered.com

GANGS OF SHERWOOD - This is a third person, co-op action game based on the world of the Robin Hood books. You play as one of four mercenaries who steal from the rich and give to the poor. The setting, graphics and story are all pretty interested for a co-op action game. However, the same can’t be said for the gameplay. It is pretty generic, just mash buttons to hit enemies, occasionally hit a different button to do a different move. The animations and effects are nice, but from what I have played, there isn’t much strategy involved. I was easily able to mow through the first level just mashing left and right click. This feels like a definitive Game Pass title, but instead it is being sold for $40. I think it could be a big hit on GP if it had cross-play multiplayer as a fun dumb action game to play with friends. The store and customization features seem interesting but I did not get that far.

 

[ZedClampet]

Enshrouded on Steam

You are Flameborn, last ember of hope of a dying race. Awaken, survive the terror of a corrupting fog, and reclaim the lost beauty of your kingdom. Venture into a vast world, vanquish punishing bosses, build grand halls and forge your path in this co-op survival action RPG for up to 16 players.

store.steampowered.com

This demo is my 2023 Game of the Year.

I'm only barely kidding. I absolutely love it. Game is supposed to release into early access some time this year. I will immediately forget every other game I own and play this for hundreds, maybe thousands, of hours. Finally a new, great survival game. There hasn't been one since V-Rising in May of 2022.

 

[Pifanjr]

Enshrouded on Steam

You are Flameborn, last ember of hope of a dying race. Awaken, survive the terror of a corrupting fog, and reclaim the lost beauty of your kingdom. Venture into a vast world, vanquish punishing bosses, build grand halls and forge your path in this co-op survival action RPG for up to 16 players.

store.steampowered.com

This demo is my 2023 Game of the Year.

I'm only barely kidding. I absolutely love it. Game is supposed to release into early access some time this year. I will immediately forget every other game I own and play this for hundreds, maybe thousands, of hours. Finally a new, great survival game. There hasn't been one since V-Rising in May of 2022.

I have this one wishlisted from when I saw the trailer. I should give the demo a try.

 

[Pifanjr]

I have this one wishlisted from when I saw the trailer. I should give the demo a try.

The demo just straight up told me my graphics card sucked too much and refused to start. It was just a Windows error message too, so I couldn't even see the main menu screen or anything else.

 

[ZedClampet]

The demo just straight up told me my graphics card sucked too much and refused to start. It was just a Windows error message too, so I couldn't even see the main menu screen or anything else.

I saw a developer talking about this. They weren't able to optimize the game for older GPU's before releasing the demo for the NEXT Fest. They apologized and said that they were still working on it, and it would definitely be done before release. Apparently there are some NVIDIA things that they put in the game that require a lot of work to make them compatible with older cards.

Generally speaking, they still have most of the optimization left to do. I was getting 45 FPS at a reduced resolution (1080p).

 

[Pifanjr]

I saw a developer talking about this. They weren't able to optimize the game for older GPU's before releasing the demo for the NEXT Fest. They apologized and said that they were still working on it, and it would definitely be done before release. Apparently there are some NVIDIA things that they put in the game that require a lot of work to make them compatible with older cards.

Generally speaking, they still have most of the optimization left to do. I was getting 45 FPS at a reduced resolution (1080p).

I'm not very hopeful about being able to play the game on this machine regardless. I'm hoping we can buy a new one in about a year, maybe two.

 

[ZedClampet]

Festivals - Headliners on Steam

Design your Event Sites, Book Artists, Build your Career as a Promotor and Produce your own Festivals!

store.steampowered.com

I'm linking this to NOT recommend it and possibly save you some time. As of 10/13/23 this demo is so basic that it's not worth your time. You place a few buildings down, wait 15 minutes of real time while your workers build what you placed (there's no way to speed up time), and then watch for a few minutes as some low poly character dances on the stage.