11 Must-Try Free Game Demos from Steam Next Fest
The demo for Monaco 2 introduces players to four different classes of thieves, each with their own clever strategies to outsmart guards. I found the socialite class particularly entertaining; she cleverly uses a toy poodle to charm the guards nearby, making them ignore her antics. Then there’s the tech specialist, who can operate a drone to help manipulate doors and other objects while keeping a safe distance from the guards. This approach to gameplay introduces a fresh way to solve problems and adds variety to the experience.
In this updated version, the game shifts from a simple overhead view to a more modern 3D perspective. While some fans of the original may miss the charming simplicity of the old design, the new graphics enhance the contemporary gameplay. It’s also a game that you can easily jump into, especially when playing with friends in cooperative mode, which makes it an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Monster Train 2 is a sequel that promises to bring even more excitement than the original Monster Train, which happens to be one of my top five favorite games on Steam. Just within the first thirty minutes of playing the demo, I found myself repeatedly thinking, "This will be my last round." I had to force myself to stop playing to avoid losing track of time, even after the last round led me to want to shop for upgrades.
As with its predecessor, Monster Train 2 combines turn-based strategy with deck-building elements, all wrapped up in a whimsical story about the battle between heaven and hell. In the game, enemies board your train and try to climb up through three decks, each turn becoming more challenging. You build your deck with demonic creatures to place across the train’s levels, alongside spells that can strengthen your monsters or weaken the angels opposing you. The high-energy metal soundtrack adds to the excitement, while the artwork really stands out, making it an immersive experience. The core challenge remains: balancing immediate dangers with the need to prepare for tougher enemies in the future.
This sequel includes not just new monsters and cards, but also new mechanics that might feel overwhelming at first. For instance, you can now control hero-type creatures with abilities that have cooldowns. There are also new card types that can enhance your creatures and allow you to apply abilities on your train’s different floors. Additionally, you can customize your train and improve its core pyre with various upgrades. While testing out the demo, I found myself forgetting about some monster abilities and struggling to decide where to focus my efforts for upgrading. Despite feeling somewhat overwhelmed, I still enjoyed the gameplay and expect that I would gradually learn how to use the new strategies more effectively. After all, in the game, slow progress could lead to failure. Overall, both Monaco 2 and Monster Train 2 stand out as fun and engaging games that offer plenty of replay value and excitement.
