There are countless demos available every day. Just scroll through the Steam store for a bit, and you’ll find thousands. It’s a trend that almost all indie developers are embracing—and honestly, I think it’s great.
Trying out a demo, whether it’s for a game you’ve been following for a while or one you just discovered, immediately gives you a sense of what it’s made of. Today, I want to highlight two highly intriguing strategy games that have recently released a playable demo.
The first one is Rogue Conflict, a coming soon turn-based tactical strategy roguelite that combines traditional wargame mechanics with procedurally generated maps. Developed by solo developer Frans Wikman, the game puts you in the role of a war general leading various military units—from infantry to tanks—across seven unique battlegrounds. In the demo, you start with a mission briefing and deploy your units strategically to complete objectives while managing limited turns and adapting to changing terrain.
Players choose from three distinct factions: one focused on artillery, one built around tanks, and a balanced option. Each faction offers its own strengths and challenges, forcing you to tailor your strategy. Completing missions earns you Requisition Points to upgrade your forces and unlock advanced equipment, adding depth and progression to your gameplay experience. Maybe it’s the art style, but I find it really fascinating.
The other recommendation is for a title I’ve been following for a long time (and there’s still no release date yet) and had previously mentioned when its demo was first announced. It’s called Anoxia Station and is a mining management game set in 1988 in a near-past dystopia. After a supervolcanic eruption renders the surface uninhabitable, nations rely on Terranauts—miners sent into the depths—to extract petroleum.
You lead an international crew sent to a demilitarized neutral zone, where you explore an abandoned mining station and search for a large crude oil deposit essential for survival. The game features randomized maps that challenge you to manage resources and crew safety amid hazards like extreme pressure, heat, radiation, and unstable terrain.
Every decision in Anoxia Station impacts your crew and operations. Injuries and deaths permanently reduce your workforce, affecting resource extraction and mission progress. The game also introduces internal conflicts among crew members from different nations, each with secret goals that influence station management. With an isometric visual style and immersive soundscape, the game focuses on sustaining continuous mining operations in a hostile environment to secure the future of humanity. Unique in its blend of strategy and horror, this game could be a great pick for your weekend.
