Demos to Play This Weekend: October 23 to 25

Thirty games we cover can be played for free this weekend, October 23 to 25. Most of the new ones are part of Steam Next Fest, and several games that are already out also have demos on Steam. The idea is simple: try the demo before you buy, and if the game is free to play, just play it.

Steam Next Fest ends on Monday, October 26 at 10:00 AM in Los Angeles (PDT), which is 1:00 PM in New York (EDT), 5:00 PM in London (GMT), 6:00 PM in Central Europe (CET) and 1:00 AM on Tuesday, October 27 in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei (GMT+8). Unless we say otherwise, the store pages give no end date for the demos themselves, so the weekend is the safe time to play.

ArcheAge Chronicles

The Next Fest demo has about two to three hours of quests in Auroria, starting from the first town. You can pick from four classes: Warrior, Ranger, Berserker and Mage. PvP is in a demo for the first time, and there is a high level dungeon, the Throne of Hinnon, outside the normal quest path. XL Games says the demo has no region lock, with servers in North America, Europe and Asia. One warning from the team: the screen can stay black for up to 10 minutes on first launch, so give it time. The demo is on Steam for PC. The full game is not out yet and has no release date. Try it if you want a classic fantasy MMORPG with action combat. Read more on our ArcheAge Chronicles page or grab the demo on Steam.

Isekai Guardians

This one is an open beta, not a demo. It opens on October 23 at 11:00 PM in Central Europe (CEST), which is 10:00 PM in London (BST), 5:00 PM in New York (EDT) and 2:00 PM in Los Angeles (PDT) on October 23, and 5:00 AM on Saturday, October 24 in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei (GMT+8). It runs until December 4. You play in your browser or with the desktop download from the official site, because the Steam release has been delayed. The game is free to play. Progress is reset before launch, but the Halloween skins and plushie you earn during the beta are kept. Full launch is set for December 18 at 11:00 PM in Central Europe (CET), which is December 19 in Asia. Try it if you like browser MMOs built around collecting and trading. See our Isekai Guardians page and the official open beta site.

Kitaria Fables 2

This is one of the bigger demos of the week, with over four hours of play according to the store page. You get the prologue, a main story mission, 22 side quests and 11 job quests, and you can reach level 18. Farming, the town vendors and local two player co-op with drop in and drop out are all included. The demo is on Steam for PC. The full game is not out yet and the Steam page lists Q2 2027. Try it if you want a cosy action RPG to play with someone on the same couch. Visit our Kitaria Fables 2 page or get the demo on Steam.

Scramble Knights Online

The demo comes with a reworked tutorial that introduces the world and story, plus cleaner menus for the blacksmith, upgrades and storage. The developer says your demo progress carries over to the full game. It is on Steam for Windows and SteamOS with Linux. The game is not out yet: Early Access starts October 26 in the US and Europe, which is October 27 in Asia, and it will be a paid game. The developer says the demo closes when Early Access opens. Try it if you plan to buy at launch, since your progress comes with you. More on our Scramble Knights Online page and the demo on Steam.

Emberville

The Next Fest demo covers the prologue, which introduces the world, the characters and the core systems. Saves from the demo carry over to Early Access. It is on Steam for PC. The game is not out yet: Early Access is set for October 27, and no time has been given yet for any region. Try it now if you want a head start when Early Access opens next week. See our Emberville page and the demo on Steam.

ReBlade: The Death Spiral

This demo is about combat only, with no story. You get three weapons, each with its own style, and three trials: one main trial and two side trials, each with a normal setting and three harder tiers. The developer suggests the Shield Axe if you are new. Demo saves do not carry over. The demo runs until November 10, with no time given for any region, so it stays up after Next Fest ends. It is on Steam for PC, and the full game is not out yet with no date. Try it if you like testing a combat system before anything else. Visit our ReBlade: The Death Spiral page or get the demo on Steam.

Edenfall: Legacy of the First Wardens

You play as Venya, who shifts between human, wolf, raccoon and raven forms, and each form moves and fights its own way. Beating enemies and bosses heals the corrupted land around you. Recent demo updates added a bigger flying area, side quests and an arena with two difficulty levels. The demo is on Steam for PC. The full game is not out yet, and Steam lists December 8, 2026. Try it if you like action games where changing shape is the main idea. See our Edenfall page and the demo on Steam.

Angelfall

You play an Archdemon who fights human and holy warriors, takes their souls and grows stronger. The demo has skills, Runes, Hellforge upgrades, a Corruption skill tree and a boss fight. It is on Steam for PC. The full game is not out yet and has no date. Try it if you enjoy playing the villain in a dark action RPG. More on our Angelfall page and the demo on Steam.

Dinghai: The Ocean Pillar

The demo page does not say what part of the game you get. The game itself is an action roguelike RPG based on the Classic of Mountains and Seas, with combat built on two weapons at once. The demo is on Steam for PC. The full game is not out yet and has no date. Try it if Chinese myth and run based combat sound good to you. See our Dinghai: The Ocean Pillar page and the demo on Steam.

DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World

The demo runs from the start of the story up to the events in Witherwood, and you can recruit, raise and synthesize monsters. Only rank G and rank F monsters can join you in the demo. If you keep your demo save, you can move up to eight monsters into the full game. They start again at level 1, and items and gold stay behind. You need to play both on the same platform and account. The demo is on Steam for PC. The full game is not out yet and comes out on December 3, 2026. Try it if you are not sure about buying, since your best monsters can come along. Visit our Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World page or get the demo on Steam.

Grimrain

This MMORPG demo starts with you waking in a forest clearing after a Ranger saves you. From there you get story quests, treasure maps that lead to loot and bosses, and dungeons. It is on Steam for Windows and SteamOS with Linux. The full game is not out yet and has no date. Try it if you want an old school style MMORPG to explore at your own pace. See our Grimrain page and the demo on Steam.

Helrift

Helrift has a demo on Steam for PC, but the store page does not say what it includes. The full game will be free to play and is not out yet. Steam lists Q4 2026. Since the game itself will be free, the demo is a good early look at an MMORPG you will not have to buy. More on our Helrift page and the demo on Steam.

XENOFALL

The demo has two hunters with different styles and two maps, each ending in a boss fight. Combat mixes melee, guns and fast movement, and each run gives you new upgrades, gear and events. The developer warns that demo progress may not carry over. It is on Steam for PC. The full game is not out yet and Steam lists January 2027. Try it if you like third person roguelite action. See our XENOFALL page and the demo on Steam.

Tactics of Scarlet

This early demo has a tutorial, the first two chapters and three extra chapters for each of the three factions, for 16 levels in total. The developer says some animations are missing and bugs may remain. It is on Steam. The full game is not out yet and Steam lists 2027. Try it if you like turn based tactics and don't mind rough edges. Visit our Tactics of Scarlet page or get the demo on Steam.

Shadow of the Road

A short demo set in a tea house and a manor, with three fights and one boss. It is on Steam for PC. The full game is not out yet and comes out on March 10, 2027. Try it if you want a quick look at its tactical combat. See our Shadow of the Road page and the demo on Steam.

Forge of the Fae

The store page has a demo download but does not describe what is in it. It runs on Windows, macOS and SteamOS with Linux, which makes it one of the few demos this weekend for Mac players. The full game is not out yet and has no date. More on our Forge of the Fae page and the demo on Steam.

UNDEFEATED: Genesis

The demo covers the start of the hero's story on the planet Voltissia. You can fly over part of the map, use superpowers on mutants and explore from the ground or the air, with limited areas, powers and enemies. Demo saves do not carry over. It is on Steam for PC. The full game is not out yet and Steam lists 2027. Try it if flying superhero games are your thing. See our UNDEFEATED: Genesis page and the demo on Steam.

FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE

The game came out this week, and its free demo lets you play the whole first chapter, with some level limits. Your demo save carries over to the full game. The demo is on Steam for PC. It is a paid game. Try it if you want to know whether the full game is for you before paying. Visit our FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE page or get the demo on Steam.

Stupid Never Dies

The First Bite demo has the opening story, basic combat with punches, kicks and parries, and the main systems: Bite, Style Eat for stealing enemy moves, Body Hack for upgrades and Davy Burst. You also meet your allies at the mall that works as your base. Demo saves carry over. It is on Steam for PC. The game just came out and is a paid game. Try it if you like loud, comic action. See our Stupid Never Dies page and the demo on Steam.

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse

The game is out and its Steam page has a demo download, but the page does not describe what the demo includes. It is on Steam for PC, and the full game is a paid game. Try it if you want to feel the combat before buying. More on our Castlevania: Belmont's Curse page and the demo on Steam.

DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered

The demo is the Battle of Hulao Gate, with six officers to choose from: Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, Xiahou Dun, Zhen Ji, Zhou Yu and Sun Shangxiang. Some settings like difficulty can be changed. Saves do not carry over to the full game. It is on Steam for PC, and the full game is a paid game. Try it if you want to see how the remaster feels against your memories. See our Dynasty Warriors 3 page and the demo on Steam.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

The Prologue Demo covers the opening of the story, the first four dungeons, seven of the Archetype classes and six followers. Your save carries over to the full game. It is on Steam for PC, and the full game is a paid game. Try it if you have been curious about this JRPG and want a long, real taste first. Visit our Metaphor: ReFantazio page or get the demo on Steam.

Monster Hunter Wilds

The Prologue Demo takes you from the start up to the To the Forest mission. Online play is not in the demo. You can move your demo save to the full game, but not if you already have a full game save. It is on Steam for PC, and the full game is a paid game. Try it if you want to check how it runs on your PC first. See our Monster Hunter Wilds page and the demo on Steam.

Nioh 3

The demo covers the opening part of the journey and needs an online connection. Saves carry over if you use the same Steam account and the same device. The store page warns the demo could be taken down without notice. It is on Steam for PC, and the full game is a paid game. Try it if hard action games are your thing. More on our Nioh 3 page and the demo on Steam.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword

The Steam page has a demo download but does not say what it includes. It is on Steam for PC, and the full game is a paid game. Try it to see whether the sword combat clicks for you. See our Onimusha: Way of the Sword page and the demo on Steam.

Gothic 1 Remake

The demo is the Nyras Prologue. The store page does not say more about what is in it. It is on Steam for PC, and the full game is a paid game. Try it if you remember the original and want to see the new look. Visit our Gothic 1 Remake page or get the demo on Steam.

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

The Steam page has a demo download but does not describe it. It is on Steam for PC, and the full game is a paid game. Try it if you played the first chapter and want to check the second before buying. See our Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter page and the demo on Steam.

Project: Gorgon

The demo lets you explore a large part of the world and learn dozens of skills, each capped at level 15. If you buy the game, you keep your demo character and the limits go away. It runs on Windows, macOS and SteamOS with Linux, and the full game is a paid game. Try it if you like sandbox MMORPGs with lots of skills to learn. More on our Project: Gorgon page and the demo on Steam.

SpiritVale

The Steam page offers a free demo but does not describe what is in it. It is on Steam for PC, and the full game is a paid game. Try it if you want a look at this MMORPG before paying. See our SpiritVale page and the demo on Steam.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online

This is a free trial, not a weekend demo, and it has no time limit. You can play up to level 80 through A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, Stormblood and Shadowbringers. Some features are locked, such as the Market Board, trading and PvP. It is on PC, Mac, Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and your trial character carries over if you buy. The full game is a paid game with a subscription. Try it if you have always meant to start this MMORPG. Visit our FINAL FANTASY XIV Online page or read about the official free trial.

Free to play, no demo needed

• AION 2 came out on Steam on October 5 and is free to play, so you can simply download it. See our AION 2 page.

NEXTARCA's take

Start with ArcheAge Chronicles. It is the biggest MMORPG demo of the weekend, it has no region lock, and it is part of Next Fest, which ends on Monday. Just be ready for that long black screen on first launch. If you want something calmer, Kitaria Fables 2 gives you four hours and couch co-op. Dragon Quest Monsters is the smart pick if you might buy it, because up to eight monsters carry over. Isekai Guardians is free, but beta progress is wiped before launch, so play it for fun and not to get ahead. Several demos for games already out are small slices, so treat them as a test of how the game runs on your PC.