The wait for a new game isn’t too bad… unless it’s the one game you’re looking forward to more than anything else. If the top spot on your Wishlist never seems to get any closer to release, sometimes the best thing for it is to spend some time playing the demo. It may be short, but it’s free!
For this second midweek demo appointment, I’ve picked fifteen upcoming RPGs with demos to try, because frankly, we can’t wait for the full games to release.
Like last week, I think I’ve managed to round up a ton of interesting stuff again today, with a strong mix of genres and subgenres. Check them out for yourselves, and let me know what you think.
Wardrum
- Developers: Mopeful Games
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Mark this name down: Wardrum. I just tried the demo, and it made a huge impression on me. It already had a slight edge thanks to its pixel-art visual style, which immediately sets the tone and gives it that classic tactical vibe.
In any case Wardrum combines 2.5D tactical battles in a fantasy wasteland with rhythm game mechanics, testing your ability to keep a beat as much as your battlefield prowess. As the bearer of the titular instrument, you’ll lead your band in the face of certain death, empowered by the drum on a roguelike journey to save the world.
If you’re looking for some skull-festooned swords-and-sorcery with a bit of flair, Wardrum‘s demo is an exciting omen of things to come. It also teases plenty more content to look forward to in the full game, so for roguelike fans this is one to watch out for.
Terrinoth
- Developers: Artefacts Studio
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
- Steam Page
I introduced Terrinoth on TBL a few days ago, so there was no way it wasn’t going to show up in this recap of playable demos.
Board game fans might be familiar with Terrinoth already; it’s Fantasy Flight Games’ in-house setting for fantasy titles like Descent: Journeys In The Dark and Runebound. Based on the former of the two tabletop titles, Terrinoth is the first co-op TRPG in the digital space to use the setting.
Whether or not you’ve played the board games, Terrinoth should be a great dungeon crawler, especially with friends. It offers eight playable characters, so there will be loads of builds to try throughout the four story chapters.
Pluto
- Developers: Siege Wizard Interactive
- Release Date: 9 March, 2026
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Quite distinctive from a UI standpoint, this indie deckbuilder is as clever as it is irreverent. Its hand-drawn visuals feel like they’re straight out of the edgiest ‘90s dark fantasy games (in all the best ways, of course), and it uses a combo mechanic to make gameplay about much more than playing your hand each turn.
Spells are cast by flexing each of your character’s fingers in the right order, and incantations can be made simultaneously. With the right setup, you can pull off some truly impressive magical feats.
The only way to really get it is to try the demo and see for yourself… especially since Pluto‘s launch is only a few weeks away.
The Severed Gods
- Developers: Topebox
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Octopath Traveler turns into a roguelite where you roam the battlefield hacking enemies apart, severing their limbs piece by piece. In short, that’s the core pitch behind The Severed Gods and the kind of experience it aims to deliver.
It adds a bit of roguelite flavor to its pixelated quest. Its battles against oversized foes make you rely on targeting their limbs and other appendages, cutting them down to size to make the fight a bit more manageable.
In true roguelike fashion, the world changes with each new run. You can expect to fall on your first few attempts, and the map, story, and even shop inventory will evolve with each new iteration. We likely won’t see the full implications of this until the full version launches later this year, but for now, the demo shows promise.
Vena
- Developers: loerting
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Indie project Vena is like Dorfromantik meets Factorio, challenging you to build a city tile-by-tile. Each new district provides additional outputs while requiring inputs, and naturally, the whole thing gets more complex the longer your run goes.
Between its thought-provoking gameplay and classic aesthetic, this is one demo we won’t be able to get enough of while we wait for launch.
LumenTale: Memories of Trey
- Developers: Beehive Studios
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
Monster collectors don’t always have the strongest plotlines, focusing more on gameplay and exploration, though we’re definitely seeing that change in recent years.
LumenTale: Memories of Trey looks to be a part of that growing trend. With a world built on ancient history and a protagonist who seems to be more than just a self-insert for the player, it could be the next adventure for players looking for something more.
Of course, you can’t have a monster-catching game without the monsters, and LumenTale‘s Animon have everything you’d expect: 13 elemental types built around emotions, a robust roster of 140 critters, and trading with your friends.
BURNED HORIZONS
- Developers: Burned Horizons Studio
- Release Date: April 2026 (Early Access)
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Up until now, I’d only been able to appreciate Burned Horizons through a handful of screenshots and concept art, but over the past few hours the playable demo for this promising tactical title has finally dropped.
Deep and gritty, Burned Horizons aims to be the last word in realistic modern warfare when it comes to turn-based battles. Its massive campaign system simulates entire theatres of war, with battlefields permanently changed by the operations that take place in them, and individual soldiers can see their traits and personalities changed by what they experience.
The alpha build of Burned Horizons is entering Early Access this spring, and a demo is available now. There’s still a lot to be done, of course, but we’re expecting a massive game that rewards those who stick with it.
Fate of Fire: Kyvedy Guardiah
- Developers: Denis Johan Tales
- Release Date: 26 July, 2024
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Fate Of Fire isn’t technically new, but solo developer Denis Johan has been hard at work updating the game in the year-and-a-half since launch. With the recent release of the 1.9 Aurora update, this multi-protagonist epic is better than ever.
And since TBL and I are always committed to supporting developers who pour their heart and soul into their projects, I felt it was only right to introduce you to Fate of Fire, a title I hadn’t come across at all until now.
Fate of Fire tells the tale of a world with only seven days left before the end. Check out the free demo, but be warned, you’ll probably want to see the rest of the story once it’s done!
Vultures – Scavengers of Death
- Developers: Team Vultures
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Another title you absolutely need to try is Vultures, and it’s perfect for all the fans of classic Resident Evil and other survival horror classics from the PS1 era will want to check out Vultures, which blends the look and feel of those bloody ’90s gems with XCOM-style tactical battles.
Between the hidden documents, bloody environments and gloriously chunky polygons, you’ll feel like you’re back in the good old days.
Vultures looks chock-full of zombies, mutants and other horrors we likely haven’t seen. It’s a love letter to one of gaming’s most iconic genres, and we’re excited for more.
Diviner
- Developers: Born of Three
- Release Date: Q2 2027
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
This dungeon crawler has gone through a few gameplay changes, at least compared to the first build I tried a while back. I won’t break down exactly what’s different, but just know the adjustments are for the better, and that brings us to Diviner.
An RPG that blends Diablo-style isometric exploration and gear crafting with turn-based battles meant to challenge your build design as much as your tactical skills. The full game is still a long way out, but this ambitious indie title shows a lot of promise with its bleak, dark-fantasy world and smart gameplay systems.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can sign up for the Diviner playtest, but if you’re just looking for a taste of what’s to come, give the demo a try. If the developers can deliver on their promises, this game could be one of next year’s better indie RPGs.
The Life and Suffering of Prince Jerian
- Developers: Schisma Games
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
2021’s The Life And Suffering Of Sir Brante put you in the shoes of a knight, making choices from the cradle to the grave.
The upcoming sequel ups the ante by giving you real power from the very beginning; as heir to the throne, your decisions will carry far greater impact on the wider world. Of course, with “suffering” right there in the title, you’re unlikely to find that any choice is really the right one.
If story-driven games where choices matter are your jam, you won’t want to miss out on Prince Jerian’s journey. While you’re waiting, you can always go back and see what trouble you can get into with Sir Brante in the meantime.
Underkeep
- Developers: Rake In Grass
- Release Date: TBA
- Platforms: PC, Switch
- Steam Page
I wrote this article just a few hours after finishing the demo of Underkeep, and it felt like a dive into the past, actually, more than a dive, it was pure comfort. That is, except for the demo’s optional ending, which I’ll leave for you to discover on your own.
This handcrafted RPG blends the best of old-school first-person CRPGs with modern design sensibilities, giving you a world full of deep, intriguing dungeons to explore. Synergy between your party members is vital to surviving the game’s tense encounters, and there are secrets everywhere, from hidden passages to locked doors.
Underkeep is the kind of game that reminds us why weird is fun, especially in fantasy. Once you’ve left no stone unturned in the demo, you’ll probably want to add the game to your Wishlist.
Ex Sanguis
- Developers: Lightbulb Crew
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Ex Sanguis looks a lot like the stylish 2020 TRPG Othercide and, well, that’s because it’s from the same developers. Despite the similar color palette, gameplay, and themes, though, it’s not a sequel but rather a new game that seeks to refine and improve on Othercide‘s formula.
While it’s admittedly disappointing that we won’t be seeing more of the Daughters (at least for now), Ex Sanguis is still a welcome new project from Lightbulb Crew. Who knows? Maybe it will be even better!
Dungeons & Warbands
- Developers: Omer Erenturk
- Release Date: 11 March, 2026 (Early Access)
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
This impressive solo project is like a cross between Battle Brothers and classic open-world CRPGs. Alone or with your band of hired swords, you can explore the massive handcrafted world, fighting dangerous battles where each injury can impair specific body parts.
Dungeons & Warbands enters Early Access next month, and if you’re the sort of player who likes to watch big ambitious projects like this grow throughout development this should be a good one. The free demo is available now, so you can start dungeon delving and planning your strategies ahead of time.
Space Scum
- Developers: Sole Survivor Games
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PC
- Steam Page
Speaking of Battle Brothers, wouldn’t it be cool to take its hardcore mercenary-sim gameplay across the galaxy? Space Scum does exactly that, brutal kills and all.
If you’re somehow survived everything that Overhype’s low-fantasy meat-grinder has thrown at you and are looking for more challenges, Space Scum has everything you could want, now with energy shields and shotguns. I’m certainly amped up for it, even if it means dying over and over again.
A title I’ve been following very closely, one I have high expectations for and don’t hesitate to recommend you try.
That wraps up this midweek demos roundup. Now it’s your turn: drop your recommendations and let me know what you think about these 15 RPGs. I’ll see you on Twitter and Reddit. Catch you later. Ciao
