Looking for some fresh games to try this weekend? Thanks to a wave of demos that just dropped in the past few days, there’s no shortage of new titles to sink your teeth into.
Between TurnbasedThursday Fest, Summer Game Fest, and Steam Next Fest, it wasn’t just about announcements; these events also unleashed a flood of new demos. You know that moment when you cram too much into a closet and everything spills out when you open it? That’s exactly what it felt like: tons of new playable builds just waiting to be released, and, more importantly, played.
So here I am, diving into this avalanche of fresh demo releases to give you a quick recap and a few suggestions on what’s worth trying. Most of these demos should stay available even after Steam Next Fest wraps up, but a few might disappear once the event ends.
I begin with a game that may have flown under the radar for many. NOMIA, a turn-based tactics roguelite that puts two heroes at the center of its deck-driven combat. The system is divided between persistent Actions and draw-based Gambits, encouraging a blend of planning and improvisation, with telegraphed enemy behavior and a focus on positioning and synergy. NOMIA balances mechanical challenge with narrative development between runs. I think it deserves a try.
Speaking of strong tactical foundations, Frosthaven adapts Isaac Childres’ acclaimed board game into a digital format under the direction of Julian Gollop’s Snapshot Games. This isometric RPG retains the deep, class-driven gameplay of its tabletop counterpart while introducing quality-of-life enhancements for both solo and co-op players.
With outpost upgrades, character progression, and a branching campaign, Frosthaven aims to deliver long-term strategic engagement, though its Early Access date is still pending.
Let’s add Synchro to the mix, because if you’re looking for something that twists the usual turn-based formula, this one might catch your attention. Set in a gritty cyberpunk city scarred by corporate abuse and experimentation, Synchro introduces a synchronous combat system where both players and enemies act simultaneously.
Rather than reacting, you’ll need to predict and pre-empt, creating a battle dynamic that rewards timing and foresight. Outside of combat, you’ll manage a resistance HQ, train up fighters from 10 different classes, and explore a world filled with androids, mutants, and mafia enforcers. I tried it this morning, and I have to say, I really liked it.
From mutated enemies to alien invasions, Every Day We Fight drops players into a looping battle against an extraterrestrial threat. Combining real-time exploration with turn-based tactics, this roguelite places a small squad of resistance fighters in a war-torn city.
As players improve their skills and gear across loops, they also peel back the layers of the game’s narrative, which ties character development closely to the larger mystery behind the invasion. The game does a few cool things, like its take on Overwatch, not turn-based, but instead a slow-motion mechanic where you have to aim carefully and stay sharp or risk losing your target. It’s original and definitely worth checking out, in my opinion.
Themes of loss are explored further in Death Howl, a supernatural deck-builder where battles play out on grid-based arenas. Set in a spectral world, players guide Ro, a grieving mother seeking to defy death.
With a focus on card crafting, totem synergy, and enemy adaptation, Death Howl blends tactical planning with emotional storytelling. The game leans heavily into atmosphere and symbolism while maintaining a focus on player agency through combat mechanics. I tried it a few months ago and even mentioned it in my preview, describing it as a sort of Souls-like meets tactical RPG.
If you prefer something more grounded in tabletop roots, Dark Quest 4 might be the right pick. Modeled after classics like HeroQuest, this dungeon crawler lets you guide a party of three heroes through handcrafted missions. With animated figurines, grid-based movement, and a voiced dungeon master, the game emulates the feel of a physical board game. Added features like online co-op and a level editor extend the experience beyond the campaign.
I haven’t played it yet, but having grown up with HeroQuest, I’m naturally drawn to this title, and I can’t help but recommend it.
A more traditional CRPG approach can be found in Titans of the Past. This first-person dungeon crawler embraces classic design philosophies with modern flexibility. Featuring a “time moves when you move” system, detailed class and spell progression, and a persistent town hub for upgrades, Titans emphasizes deep character building and theorycrafting. For players seeking layered mechanics and the feel of Might and Magic or Wizardry, this one aims to deliver.
On the minimalist end of the spectrum sits Jupiter Hell Classic, a demake of the 2019 game Jupiter Hell, which itself was a spiritual successor to the cult roguelike DRL.
Despite the layered history, the core experience is straightforward: fast, grid-based, turn-based combat in a sci-fi setting. With top-down visuals and procedural generation, it offers short, intense runs where positioning and quick thinking are key. Traditional Roguelikes are one of my favourite genres, so that’s why Jupiter Hell Classic is here.
Those looking for a strong story arc within a tactical framework and something with a Fire Emblem-style may be interested in Gales of Nayeli. Set in the fantasy realm of Iuven, the game follows Nayeli and her growing party as they face a creeping darkness.
With over 35 recruitable characters, branching dialogue, and combat outcomes that affect growth, it sits firmly in the tradition of story-driven strategy RPGs. Strategic flexibility and long-term consequences are at the heart of the experience.
And my final recommendation for this article is a game that resembles an FTL-style game, but with a pirate theme, so no space or aliens, but instead buccaneers and ships. Red Rogue Sea offers a unique blend of pirate adventure and roguelike tactics. Players manage a ship and crew while exploring a procedurally generated archipelago, making decisions that affect each run’s narrative and rewards.
The combat combines deck-building with ship management, and each captain offers a different path to survival against rival factions and the threat of Admiral White.
These are a few recommendations, and as I mentioned at the start, there’s no guarantee these demos will still be available after Steam Next Fest ends, so try them out soon, and let me know what you think.
- NOMIA
Release date: Q4 2025 - Frosthaven
Release date: To be announced - Synchro
Release date: To be announced - Every Day We Fight
Release date: 10 Jul, 2025 - Death Howl
Release date: To be announced - Dark Quest 4
Release date: Sometimes in 2025 - Titans of the Past
Release date: To be announced - Jupiter Hell Classic
Release date: Q3 2025 - Gales of Nayeli
Release date: 23 Jun, 2025 - Red Rogue Sea
Release date: Q3 2025
