It’s that magical time of year again. Steam Next Fest has opened its floodgates, unleashing literally thousands of free demos for upcoming PC games. It’s a glorious, chaotic celebration of creativity where you can discover your next obsession before anyone else. But let’s be real, with over 3,000 games to try, it’s also completely overwhelming. Where do you even start?
Don’t worry, we’ve plunged into the digital depths for you. We sifted through the noise, the weird, and the wonderful to bring you a curated list of the demos that are generating the most buzz and are absolutely worth your download time. From clumsy physics brawlers to haunted convenience stores, here are the can’t-miss experiences of the October 2025 Steam Next Fest.
1. Half Sword
Leading the charge as the most-played demo is this hilarious and clumsy physics-based medieval combat game. It’s less about elegant swordplay and more about wobbly, frantic duels where you swing a giant weapon around like a drunk toddler. It’s pure, unadulterated fun and proves that sometimes, the best games are the silliest.
2. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
Nostalgia is a powerful force, and this prequel to the legendary turn-based strategy series has fans incredibly excited. Despite a recent delay, the demo is showing huge promise, capturing the magic of the originals while introducing its own story. If you grew up building armies of griffins and skeletons, this is a must-play.
3. Everwind
What if you mixed the sandbox freedom of Minecraft with the combat of Skyrim and then added customizable airships? You’d get Everwind. This game is a recipe for success, and the demo delivers on its ambitious promise. It’s a huge, engaging world that you can get lost in for hours.
4. Constance
For the Metroidvania fans out there, Constance is a beautiful, painterly adventure that feels like a breath of fresh air. You play as an artist using a magical paintbrush to navigate a stunning world and battle inky monsters. With an emotional story about mental health and goopy, satisfying paint powers, it’s a true work of art.
5. The Midnight Walkers
In a festival packed with extraction shooters, this one stands out. It’s a gritty, zombie-filled FPS where you and your team have to scavenge, survive, and escape a city overrun by the undead. It’s tense, tactical, and has a great atmosphere that will appeal to fans of games like Hunt: Showdown.
6. Final Sentence
Ready for a battle royale that tests your brain instead of your aim? Final Sentence is a competitive typing game where speed and accuracy are your only weapons. It’s a brilliantly unique concept that’s both educational and intensely competitive. Prepare for your WPM to be put to the ultimate test.
7. Misery
If you’ve been craving a S.T.A.L.K.E.R.-style survival experience, look no further. Misery drops you into a procedurally generated post-nuclear wasteland on scavenging runs inspired by Lethal Company. It’s bleak, unforgiving, and lets you smoke cigarettes in first-person. What more could you want from a survival game?
8. Goodnight Universe
From the creators of the innovative webcam game Before Your Eyes, this might be the most unique demo of the entire festival. You play as a telepathic baby, and using your webcam, you manipulate the world just by looking at it. It’s a mind-bending, award-winning concept you have to see to believe.
9. Roadside Research & Hellmart
We’re cheating and grouping these two because they share a wonderfully bizarre theme: the ‘messed-up convenience store simulator.’ In Roadside Research, you’re an alien running a gas station to prepare for an invasion. In Hellmart, you’re stocking shelves for haunted customers. Both are hilarious, creepy, and a little too close to the real retail experience.
10. Cursemark
This action-exploration roguelite features gorgeous pixel art and deep, customizable magic. You fuse runes and modify elemental effects to create your own spell builds while exploring eerie, shifting landscapes. It’s a moody, fluid, and deeply satisfying experience for anyone who loves a good roguelite.
FAQs
What is Steam Next Fest?
It’s a week-long online event hosted by Steam that features hundreds of free, playable demos for upcoming PC games. It also includes developer livestreams and chats.
When does the October 2025 Next Fest end?
The festival runs until October 20, 2025. After that date, most of the demos will be removed, so play them while you can!
Are the demos completely free?
Yes! Every demo available during Steam Next Fest is completely free to download and play.
How many demos are there?
This event features over 3,200 demos, making it one of the biggest Next Fests ever.
What’s the best way to find good demos?
Besides lists like this one, you can browse Steam’s ‘Most-Played’ chart on the Next Fest page. The best method is often to just scroll and download anything that catches your eye. You never know what you’ll find!
Do I get to keep the games after the festival?
No, these are just demos. They are temporary access to a slice of the game. If you enjoy one, be sure to add it to your Steam Wishlist to be notified when the full game is released.
Conclusion
Steam Next Fest is the best kind of chaos. It’s a rare chance to peek behind the curtain and see the future of PC gaming, one free demo at a time. This list is just a starting point-the real magic is in the discovery. So clear some space on your hard drive, dive in, and find your new favorite game before the week is over. Happy gaming!