A guide to the best demos of the October 2025 Steam Next Fest

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This week marks the last Steam Next Fest of the year! You can download hundreds of free game demos right now on Steam. Next Fest showcases all the exciting games coming soon. With so many demos available, this guide is here to help you choose the best ones to try, as you likely won’t have time to play them all in just one week. Keep in mind that while some demos may still be available after October 20th, many will disappear after the event ends.

A helpful guide to October 2025’s Steam Next Fest: check out these free demos

I recently shared a collection of demos that I thought were particularly interesting. If even that smaller selection feels like too much, it’s a good place to begin your search. The demos are grouped by genre and type to help you find games you’ll like, though the categories aren’t always exact. If you try a demo that isn’t on the list and think it should be, please let me know in the comments!

Action / Adventure

Defining this type of game is tricky, but seeing so many demos at Next Fest made it easier to pick out some really good ones. If you enjoy adventure games, quick action, or a mix of both, I suggest checking out these demos!

Horror

It’s Halloween time, and while demos on Steam aren’t usually associated with this kind of content, there are still a few really good ones worth checking out.

Party / Co-op

This Steam Next Fest has a fantastic range of multiplayer games to check out. You’ll find a sequel to a popular party game, a new title from the creators of Peak, and another exciting beat ‘em up from experienced developers.

Adventure

These games are similar to action-adventure, but with less focus on intense action. They usually center around characters embarking on a journey, prioritizing exploration and a compelling story over constant fighting.

Simulator / Cozy

You don’t always need fast-paced action in a game. These demos are perfect if you want something calm and relaxing – maybe to play during a break from more exciting games.

Puzzle Platformer

I didn’t stumble across a ton of games like this, but these two really stood out and deserve their own special mention. Honestly, a big part of the challenge isn’t *what* you’re solving, but *how* you actually move around to do it.

Tactical / Strategy

This week’s Steam Next Fest has a lot to offer fans of tactical and strategy games, including exciting tactical RPGs, roguelike deckbuilders, and a visually stunning CRPG set in a dark fantasy version of Japan.

Story Driven

Many video games focus on letting players experience a story, and these demos are no different. Be warned though – if you enjoy them, you might have to wait a bit for the complete game to be released!

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2025-10-16 04:02