Demos are incredibly useful if you’re trying to decide whether you really want to buy a game because you’re uncertain about some of its aspects. In recent years demos have regained some of their former glory, so much so, that Steam holds events dedicated entirely to demos.
Which demos are the best, though? Letting you test the game to a substantial degree and being entertaining in their own right?
Final Fantasy XIV Online Free Trial
| Release date: | 2010-09-30 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | SQUARE ENIX |
Final Fantasy XIV is a massive MMORPG which has charmed its audience with an epic storyline, great gameplay design, and a sprawling world.
It also has an incredibly generous trial version, giving you access not just to the base game, but also the first two expansions. There are some limitations, especially regarding social features, but you can play pretty much all of the game up through the Stormward expansion, hit level 70 and have up to 8 alts. It’s a ridiculously robust free trial.
You can download the free trial directly from the official website at Final Fantasy XIV Free Trial to start your journey in the world of Final Fantasy XIV.
Resident Evil 7 Teaser: Beginning Hour
| Release date: | 2016-12-19 |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Developer: | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
Resident Evil 7 was a big stylistic departure from the typical style of the series, and by all accounts, the experiment’s worked out quite well.
But everybody who’s uncertain about the first-person camera and Capcom’s ability to deliver scares this way, RE7 Teaser: Beginning Hour is a free demo which serves as a great representation of the gameplay and style. The best part is that it doesn’t even spoil the game, because it’s not a slice of the game cut out of the full product, more like an appetizer.
You can download the Resident Evil 7 Teaser: Beginning Hour demo directly from Steam at Resident Evil 7 Teaser: Beginning Hour.
Metaphor ReFantazio's - Prologue Demo
| Release date: | 2024-10-11 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Studio Zero |
The team behind the Persona series have set their sight on the more traditional fantasy.
The result is Metaphor: ReFantazio, a game about a seeking a worthy successor for the throne of a land bereft of its king. If it sounds interesting, but you’re unsure how well Atlus and Sega can tackle the topic and the new gameplay, there is a freely playable Prologue of the game (at the time of writing), which should be enough to provide a good insight into whether you’ll enjoy the full title or not.
You can download the demo directly from Steam at Metaphor: ReFantazio to explore the world of Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Metal: Hellsinger Demo
| Release date: | 2022-09-15 |
| Genre: | Shooter |
| Developer: | The Outsiders |
There is an element of art and elegance to some first-person shooters, but rarely does it take the form of a rhythm game the way it does in Metal: Hellsinger.
As with many gimmick-oriented games, it can be a little bit of a risky purchase, what if you don’t enjoy the experience after all? The demo is still up and available despite the game having launched in 2022, so you can check if your sense of rhythm is good enough to carry you through the game and its incredible, metal-as-hell soundtrack.
You can download the demo directly from Steam at Metal: Hellsinger to experience the rhythm-based shooter action of Metal: Hellsinger.
Monster Hunter Stories 2 Trial Version
| Release date: | 2021-07-09 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | CAPCOM |
Capcom is really good at demos, and this list could be mostly Capcom, oriented.
Take, for example, Monster Hunter Stories 2, an RPG spin-off from the main MH series, which plays a little bit like Pokémon, with turn-based battles, building a team of creatures, and all that. Its demo is effectively the full first region of the game, letting you try out several of the game’s systems, especially the combat system and managing the monsties (actual term used by the game). It’s easily several hours of gameplay!
You can download the demo directly from Steam at Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin to experience the RPG adventure of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin.
Street Fighter 6 Demo
| Release date: | 2023-06-02 |
| Genre: | Fighting |
| Developer: | CAPCOM |
Okay, one from Capcom. Street Fighter 6 demo is a really good presentation of what the full game is about.
First of all (depending on your priorities) it gives you access to Avatar Creation letting you create your own Street Fighter character and play a slice of the game in their body. You also get access to One on One battles, tutorial, two stages, and even limited commentary. Basically, all you need to get the gist of what SF6 is about, free of charge and easily available. A certified great Capcom demo.
You can download the demo directly from Steam at Street Fighter 6 to experience the fighting action of Street Fighter 6.
Octopath Traveler 2 Demo
| Release date: | 2023-02-24 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | SQUARE ENIX |
Unlike other demos on the list, Octopath Traveller 2’s demo is timed: specifically, it gives you three hours to get as much out of a playthrough as you can.
The number of playthroughs isn’t limited, so consider this a repeatable time challenge. You have eight characters to try out, OP2’s new mechanics to figure out, and a lovely world to experience. The demo’s worth checking out even if you know the original Octopath Traveller to gauge whether the changes sit well with you.
Download the OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Prologue Demo at OCTOPATH TRAVELER II.
Halls of Torment: Prelude
| Release date: | 2023-05-24 |
| Genre: | Bullet Hell |
| Developer: | Chasing Carrots |
What if Vampire Survivors took inspiration from Diablo, instead of Castlevania? Halls of Torment might be the answer.
There’s also a huge build potential thanks to nearly a dozen characters, hundreds of traits, and more. You don’t get access to ALL of that in the demo Prologue, there are only three characters, for example, and a fraction of all the quests present in the full title, but it’s excellent as an appetizer for what’s waiting for you in the main dish.
You can download the Halls of Torment: Prelude demo directly from Steam at Halls of Torment: Prelude.
Free trial before purchase? Objectively awesome
And so end our look at some of the awesome demos which offer plenty of good fun and information before you even need to consider buying the full thing. If any of these demos convince you to spend some money, consider checking out our Marketplace, there’s a very good chance you’ll be able to find a great deal.