Rusty Rabbit

• Developer: Nitro Plus
• Publisher: SoFun
• Release Date: Out Now!
• Platforms: PC(Steam), PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch

Another ice age has driven humanity from Earth, and the new custodians of the planet are… rabbits?!

Take on the role of Stamp, a grouchy rabbit with a heart of gold, and his D.I.Y. mech, Junkster, in this side-scrolling action adventure game. Smash and drill your way through maze-like environments, destroying blocks of junk and collecting the treasures they hide. Help Stamp as he tries to find his estranged daughter and discovers secrets about the world that came before.

Use a variety of tools and weapons to fight off enemies and traverse the world. Upgrade Junkster with parts and materials you find on your journey, and level up Stamp to unlock new abilities. Complete with a fully voiced cast of cute characters, Rusty Rabbit is a fun and action-packed adventure.

Demo available on PC(Steam), PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.

9 Kings

• Developer: Sad Socket
• Publisher: Hooded Horse
• Release Date: Out Now! (Early Access)
• Platforms: PC (Steam)

9 Kings is a fast-paced kingdom-building roguelike developed by Sad Socket and published by Hooded Horse. The game combines deck-building mechanics with tower defense elements, challenging players to grow their empire while battling against nine powerful rival kings. Players start with a limited set of cards, including buildings, troops, enchantments, and tomes, which they use to expand their kingdom and strengthen their forces. As they progress, they acquire new cards from defeated opponents, allowing for increasingly complex strategies and synergies.

The gameplay revolves around tactical decision-making, where players must carefully manage their resources and adapt to the unique abilities of each rival king. Battles unfold dynamically, with units engaging automatically while players influence the battlefield through strategic card placement and special abilities. The game encourages experimentation, offering thousands of possible builds that can drastically alter the course of play.

With its engaging mechanics and deep strategic elements, 9 Kings provides a challenging and rewarding experience for fans of roguelike and kingdom management games.

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Persona 3: Reload

• Developer: ATLUS
• Publisher: SEGA
• Release Date: Out Now!
• Platforms: PC(Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X/S

An older one, but definitely worth a look, especially if you're a fan of JRPGs. 

Persona 3 Reload is a modern remake of the classic RPG Persona 3, bringing updated visuals, refined gameplay mechanics, and enhanced storytelling. Players step into the role of a high school student who discovers the mysterious Dark Hour – a hidden time between days when supernatural creatures known as Shadows emerge. To combat them, the protagonist joins the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (S.E.E.S.), a group of Persona users dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the phenomenon.

Like all of the Persona titles, the game blends turn-based combat with social simulation, allowing players to forge bonds with classmates and allies while battling Shadows in the towering Tartarus. Reload introduces quality-of-life improvements inspired by later Persona titles, making exploration and combat more fluid. With a fresh art style, reworked voice acting, and a remastered soundtrack, Persona 3 Reload revitalises the beloved story for both newcomers and longtime fans.

Demo available on PC(Steam), Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5.

Voidsayer

• Developer: Pavel Auseitasau
• Publisher: Indie.io
• Release Date: Out Now!
• Platforms: PC(Steam)

Move over Pokémon, there's a new, darker, and slightly creepy creature collector coming to town! Another Pax East favorite, Voidsayer is set in a world cursed by the Abyss, where you look to tame powerful monsters to help you survive. There are over 100 tameable monsters, and these monsters come with their own skills and, of course, the power to be evolved or enhanced. The combat, much like Pokémon, is turn-based, and each creature will come with its own attributes and traits. Strategic thinking is the key to victory and getting through your exploration phases outside of town. 

Another fun aspect you'll see in the demo is all the areas you'll find as you explore the map. You'll find quite a few different areas within the demo alone as you navigate the world looking for materials, safe passage home, and additional monsters to add to your ever-growing army. The zones you explore will continue to shift in each run, so you don't have to worry about your paths becoming too repetitive along the way. 

You'll then need to bring back resources to continue upgrading your base of operations. The more you upgrade your base, the better options you'll unlock in terms of equipment and other resources. For those who have always wanted a bit of eldritch horror in their Pokémon, this is the game for you.

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Section 13

• Developer: Ocean Drive Studios
• Publisher: Kakao Games
• Release Date: Out Now!
• Platforms: PC(Steam)

Section 13 is a roguelite twin-stick shooter that can be played solo or in a group of up to 3 players (crossplay not supported). As an Agent of the S2P Corporation, it's up to you to investigate a crisis at the most top-secret facility of a company whose whole thing is keeping secrets.

Step into the shoes of Agents Red, Boy Scout, Beaker, and Scalpel, as they fight to unearth the buried secrets of Section 13... and solve a few personal mysteries of their own. Collect data on paranormal entities running amok and find out what it all has to do with you.

Select your loadout of customisable weapons, genetic modifications, and Synaptic Enhancements for each run as you and your team fight off hordes of creepy cryptids. Unlock permanent upgrades between runs in the shifting facility, adjusting how you play and your chances of success. But keep an eye on your Fear level, or risk a debilitating mid-mission panic attack!

Read our Section 13 Review to get our full thoughts on the game.

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Forgotlings

• Developer: Throughline Games
• Publisher: Hitcents
• Release Date: 12th June
• Platforms: PC(Steam)

Forgotlings is a cinematic action-adventure set in a world where lost objects come to life, each searching for meaning and purpose. Developed by Throughline Games, the story follows Fig, a doll who captains the sentient ship Volare. As he travels through this enchanted realm, he encounters warring tribes, hidden dangers, and forgotten relics, all while uncovering the mysteries that shape their existence.

The game blends exploration, stealth, and combat, allowing players to choose how they interact with the world. Some encounters require diplomacy, while others demand quick reflexes and strategic thinking. The semi-open world design encourages discovery, with richly detailed environments that feel like stepping into an animated film. Every character Fig meets has their own motivations, and players can engage in conversations or challenge them to INA, a popular game in the realm.

With hand-drawn animation, full voice acting, and a haunting musical score, Forgotlings looks to be worth checking out!

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Hell Clock

• Developer: Rogue Snail
• Publisher: Mad Mushroom
• Release Date: June 2025
• Platforms: PC(Steam)

"What if a Path of Exile league or Diablo IV season only took 20 minutes?!" This is the question that Hell Clock is looking to answer. More importantly, it answers it well. Hell Clock is historical fiction set in 19th-century Brazil at the site of the War of Canudos, where you'll play as Pajeú, a man on a mission. How you choose to play this demo is up to you, as the demo provides you with both the roguelike hardcore option, where once you die you must start from the beginning. Alternatively, choose the roguelite softcore option, where when you die the run ends but you keep your progress. You can also make this easier if necessary with relaxed mode, where you'll remove the timer from the game, but this is Hell Clock after all...

The demo allows you to get up to the first 14 floors of Act 1. To start, you'll be in search of the counselor, and you'll dive into the descent to save him. Along the way, you can anticipate leveling up your attacks a bit fairly easily, as there are many monsters to be found. Your descent is over when you die, but don't worry, time will find its way to run backwards and allow you on your next run, if you choose the softcore option. You lose your trinkets, experience, and gold, but people you save will be back in town and help you along your overall journey. At least if you choose to! If you're a fan of Path of Exile, Hades, or any other roguelike, this is definitely one to check out.

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Demonschool

• Developer: Necrosoft Games
• Publisher: Ysbyrd Games
• Release Date: Summer 2025
• Platforms: PC(Steam), PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch

One of our favorites from PAX East is Demonschool. Freshman year can be a nightmare, but for Faye and her friends, it's not something to just wake up from. As the last living heir to a forgotten family of demon hunters, Faye and crew find themselves being the barrier between hell and humanity. Spend time with your friends, play mini games, but don't forget the most important part: dealing with demons. 

Demonschool plays like a blend between Persona games with friendly links and tactical battles found in your traditional Fire Emblem games. One difference is you'll be able to plan out your actions before having them actually occur, so you don't have to worry about wasted turns or wishing you'd done something differently. Seal up the areas where hell is finding its way to campus, solve mysteries such as the woman who lost her face, and learn more about the summoning rituals happening in the cemetery. Demonschool has just enough horror to have you slightly unsettled without keeping you up at night. Play with 15 characters throughout the game and find your favorite combination for strategic combat and exploring the world. 

The demo on Steam will take you through about a week of the game and drop you in after the first mission, so you'll already have some friends with you and a teacher helping you get your credits for defeating demons. Spend your time fishing, exploring the open parts of town, or jump straight into the main quest to get a feel for the game. The demo will take you as long as you'd like, so enjoy!

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Metal Eden

• Developer: Reikon Games
• Publisher: Deep Silver
• Release Date: Q3 2025
• Platforms: PC(Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S

Metal Eden is a game I've had my eyes on for some time. A Titanfall-like parkour and FPS fusion with unique gameplay elements that oozes style and impressive visuals is completely up my alley. Metal Eden's two-stage demo offered forty minutes of action-packed traversal shooting that was equal parts fun and engrossing. 

What impressed me most about my time with the generous demo was the story and narrative. Often in fast-paced shooters of this kind, the story is entirely filler, but playing as a Hyper Unit tasked with rescuing citizens’ "˜cores' from the futuristic city of Moebius adds some purpose to the adventure.

The game does have some minor control issues on the controller (demo played on Xbox Series X), in that aim acceleration needs adjusting to ensure the "˜twitchyness' of the FPS remains. This is a common issue according to user reviews online. But I am confident Reikon Games can work on this ahead of launch now that Metal Eden's launch was pushed to Q3.

Demo available on PC(Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series.

Don’t Die, Collect Loot

• Developer: Dan Marchand
• Publisher: indie.io
• Release Date: Summer 2025
• Platforms: PC(Steam)

Don't Die, Collect Loot was another fantastic PAX East demo we tried. In Don't Die, Collect Loot, a self-proclaimed retro arcade roguelite RPG developed by a solo developer, you'll play until you eventually die. Find as much loot as you can, avoid or destroy the enemies who are coming after you, and build your powers to the best of your ability. The game itself is fast-paced, so be prepared not to blink as you move closer towards your goal of having all the loot you can hold. You'll also get the opportunity to customize your hero to decide the best loadout for yourself. 

The longer you survive, the stronger you'll become, the more loot you'll get. Prove all of those non-believers wrong as you move through this nostalgic world. The full game will have five hero classes for you to play and see what your best build is. Make sure you're ready to not blink and deal with that bullet hell as it comes your way. This was a lot of fun for players who want the challenge to see how far they can go. Or, if you're this reviewer, a great filler for those who enjoy these games but know your runs are only a few minutes long. Will you possibly make it to the end and find the hidden frozen world? It's only possible if you Don't Die, Collect Loot!

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Hell Is Us

• Developer: Rogue Factor
• Publisher: Nacon
• Release Date: September 4th, 2025
• Platforms: PC(Steam), Xbox Series, PlayStation 5

Hell Is Us, the single-player 3rd-person action adventure game from Rogue Factor, combines rewarding exploration with riveting melee combat. With no compass, map, or quest markers to show players where to go, it is up to you to explore your surroundings, finding secrets and stories aplenty.

While a civil war is dividing the country, the region is under the effects of a mysterious calamity, which has given rise to supernatural creatures that no modern weapon can defeat. Your drone and sword from a different age are your only tools to cut a path through lands infested with terrifying chimeras and try to unravel the mystery of their appearance.

Available for a limited time as part of Steam Next Fest, the Hell Is Us demo is available on PC(Steam) until June 16th, and lets players experience the opening moments of the game. Try out Hell Is Us before it releases on September 4th, 2025.

Demo available on PC(Steam) until June 16th.

Kejora

• Developer: Berangin Creative
• Publisher: Soft Source
• Release Date: September 4th, 2025
• Platforms: PC (Steam)

If Hayao Miyazaki ever opted to make a creepy film, we'd imagine that Kejora would possibly be the final product! An adventure platformer set in a peaceful, tropical village. You assume the role of Kejora, who has discovered that her small village is reliving the same day again and again. Kejora, along with her friends Jaka and Guntur, must dispel the curse that is affecting their home and free everyone from the terrorizing monster who has been seen in the forest.

This platformer meets point-and-click adventure game will test your problem-solving skills. Be sure to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way and embark on this amazing adventure this coming fall!

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Disaster Arms

• Developer & Publisher: PD_CGT
• Release Date: Q4 2025
• Platforms: PC(Steam and itch.io)

Disaster Arms is a 2D run-and-gun boss rush loaded with giant enemies inspired by 90s action games. Shoot and punch your way to the center of a geopolitical crisis.

As the Earth teeters on the edge of apocalypse, a lone boy with revenge in his eyes dares to take on KasierCorps, the weapons tech giant at the centre of this calamity. Blast your way through 8 levels of bullet hell madness, facing down 30 bosses in 1-on-1 duels. Master controls that let you strafe and aim at the same time so you never have to stop shooting, and target enemy weakpoints to score massive damage!

Learn the backstory of the main character, Geverel, the hollow soldier, in a world realised in a brash comic book art style, with a soundtrack using YM2151+SN76489, the signature sound hardware of the 16-bit MD/GEN consoles.

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Last Moon

• Developer & Publisher: Sköll Studio
• Release Date: 2025
• Platforms: PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X/S

Last Moon is an action RPG developed by Sköll Studio that embraces the spirit of classic 90s titles while introducing modern mechanics and a richly detailed world. Set in a land threatened by lunar corruption, the game follows a Lunar Knight tasked with restoring balance as the Moon begins to fall, unleashing tainted creatures and chaos upon the world.

Players explore a vast, interconnected environment filled with dangers, secrets, and opportunities for growth. Combat is fast-paced and strategic, requiring precise dodging, blocking, and mastery of various weapons. The game features a deep progression system, allowing players to upgrade their abilities, forge weapons, and equip powerful runes to adapt their playstyle. The world itself reacts to the passage of time, with a dynamic day-and-night cycle that alters enemy behavior and reveals hidden paths.

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Bytebond

• Developer: DVD Unicorns
• Publisher: Anshar Publishing
• Release Date: 2025
• Platforms: PC (Steam)

Find a spot on the couch for a friend in this upcoming puzzle game where you two play as an antivirus duo looking to regain control of the CPU. Bytebond doesn't have timed trials, so your focus will really be on the teamwork between the two of you. This is really a game for those who are fans of It Takes Two, Portal Two, and this year's hit Split Fiction. 

The puzzles are pretty easy to begin with, and grow in difficulty as you progress through the game. At first, it is as simple as trading energy back and forth to unlock doors to progress to the next level. As you move forward, you'll also be using that same energy trading mechanic not only to squeeze through doors but also to destroy virus villains who will get in your way. Work together to solve puzzles and achieve your goal of saving the PC. Bytebond is definitely best experienced in couch co-op style, but is playable online as well.

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Heroes of Mount Dragon

• Developer & Publisher: RuniQ
• Release Date: Summer 2025 on PC, September 2025 on Switch
• Platforms: PC(Steam), Switch

Here's another great couch co-op for you, your friends, and your family. Heroes of Mount Dragon is an indie beat ’em up adventure that supports four players at a time. Build up your dragon powers, transform, and take out enemies from the sky. This game allows you to not only fight against the villains, but also to play in a variety of modes, such as competitive mode with up to three friends to see who is the top-scoring dragon. Use your power-ups to shrink your rivals or electrocute them. Find power-ups to make yourself stronger than ever, maybe even stronger than your party members. 

This game felt so nostalgic for those who enjoyed games like Shredder's Revenge, The Simpsons, and other beat ’em up favorites. Heroes of Mount Dragon is based on a board gam,e which also inspired books, so there is lots of lore to find with this series once it sinks its claws into you. While the game will launch with four playable characters, there will be four additional characters that arrive in future updates.

The team at RuniQ boasts an impressive background, with members of the team having worked on games such as Guitar Hero, Crash Bandicoot, and Call of Duty. These industry veterans are branching out and ready to have their first self-published game make quite the impact. With each character having their own abilities and fighting style, try out a few different characters and see if you can be one of the next Heroes of Mount Dragon!

Demo available on PC(Steam).

Steel Carnelian

• Developer & Publisher: Catbird Soft
• Release Date: N/A (Episodic)
• Platforms: PC(Steam)

Steel Carnelian is a high-octane shoot-em-up set in the near future. Cassandra "Cass" Harrison is a mech-suited mercenary for hire. Join her and her loyal crew as they embark on the most dangerous mission of their lives – rescuing a VIP held hostage inside an automated weapons factory.

Boost, slide, and jump around waves of bullets while parrying kinetic attacks, knocking projectiles back at your enemies! Pinpoint weak spots, unleash barrages of missiles, and finish off with powerful punches to smash your robot enemies to pieces! Improve your SYNC RATE and go for the high score!

Steel Carnelian is a first for the GSC Demo Disc, as it is the first episodic game to feature in our monthly round-up of demos! The pilot episode of the game is available to try, with subsequent chapters set to release later this year.

The Pilot Episode of Steel Carnelian is available on PC(Steam).