There’s always something exciting about game demos. It’s the little sneak peeks of gameplay or testing that hypes you up before the full experience. And 2025 is shaping up to be a great year for indie gaming, which is why we will list demos you should keep an eye out for. So, let the gaming begin!
King of Retail 2
From Steam Official Website
Simulator games are still as popular as ever, so if you enjoyed or encountered the first King of Rertail, you’ll want to check out its sequel. What’s new? The second version takes everything from the original game and dials it up—better store management, deeper customization, and improved AI for your employees and customers. If you like to take the helm as a manager or corporate shark, you can do so now. This demo will give you a taste of how the revamped mechanics work.
Although it is rough around the edges now, I enjoyed the store customization it offered. Even though it didn’t have chairs as decorations, I was able to create marble seats that made my store pop.
Cairn
From Steam Official Website
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to scale a mountain with nothing but your hands and sheer–flippin—determination? Cairn is a beautifully stylized indie game that puts you in the shoes of a solo climber facing nature’s challenges.
The demo will let you experience its physics-based climbing mechanics, where every movement matters. It’s not just about reaching the top—it’s about how you get there. If you enjoy methodical, immersive experiences, this game is worth a climb.
I'm sending a shout-out to my sister, who recommended this because I was pleasantly surprised.
Haste: Broken Worlds
From Steam Official Website
If you love fast-paced movement and chaotic worlds, Haste: Broken Worlds will be right up your alley. This game throws players into collapsing environments where speed and precision are EVERYTHING. The demo showcases its intense traversal mechanics, letting you parkour, dash, and react in real-time to shifting terrain. If racing through fragmented worlds while avoiding destruction excites you, this is a must-try. How did I encounter this? Well, it closely resembled Surfers, and I thoroughly enjoyed that game during my elementary days. So, give this game a go.
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AUTHOR
Louigi Balao
Content Writer
Louigi, better known as Gi, is a content writer for Next Upgrade’s Tech and Gaming sections. In his free time, he enjoys long strolls in his house, loves fantasizing about anime ships that will never bear fruit, and constantly complains about his scuffed Korean backdashes. If you need a quick 3 AM chit-chat, he is your guy.
