Every once in a while, a game like Vampire Survivors comes along and reminds everyone just how addictive a simple, chaotic gameplay loop can be. Naturally, that success has helped spark a wave of new horde survivor games, and Steam Next Fest is packed with demos trying to put their own spin on the genre.
Some lean harder into sci-fi, some add squad-based mechanics, and some find clever ways to make the formula feel a little more active. If you’re looking for a few horde survivor demos to try, here are three that stood out.
Spaceborn Awakening
Spaceborn Awakening is a sci-fi horde survivor that keeps things pretty simple, and for the most part, that works in its favor.
The demo does open with a bit of an exposition dump, and I wasn’t fully sold on how that information was delivered. The voice sprites can also be a little brash, so if you’re playing with headphones, you may want to turn the volume down before jumping in.
Once the actual gameplay starts, though, Spaceborn Awakening becomes a straightforward and fun sci-fi survivor. You move, shoot, survive waves of enemies, and slowly build yourself up as the screen fills with more chaos. It does not reinvent the genre, but it understands the basic loop well enough to make the demo enjoyable.
What I will say is that the demo felt very easy compared to some of the other horde survivors I tried during Steam Next Fest. That is not necessarily a bad thing, especially for players who want something more casual, but I do hope the full game ramps up the challenge a bit more over time.
Still, if you want a simple sci-fi horde survivor that is easy to pick up and play, Spaceborn Awakening is worth giving a shot.
Eldritch Escape
Eldritch Escape was much closer to the kind of horde survivor I personally gravitate toward.
Right away, the art style stood out to me. It has a darker, more distinct look that makes it feel different from the many survivor games trying to chase the same visual style. That alone made me more interested in sticking with it, but the gameplay also has a strong hook.
Instead of picking up a ton of random weapons as you play, Eldritch Escape gives you a team of three characters, each with their own weapons and role in the squad. From there, you upgrade both their weapons and the team itself, which gives the game a more focused sense of progression.
I really liked this setup. It makes each run feel less like you are just collecting whatever the game throws at you and more like you are building up a specific squad. The map also feels huge, which helps the demo feel more open and dangerous as the run goes on.
More importantly, Eldritch Escape actually starts to get difficult. The enemies begin to put real pressure on you, and that challenge makes the upgrades feel more important. Out of these three demos, this is the one that clicked with me the fastest.
If you like horde survivors but want something with a stronger squad-based twist, definitely give Eldritch Escape a go.
Luminas Parasite Reign
Luminas Parasite Reign immediately caught my attention because of its Pokémon-like vibe mixed with a cubed art style. It has a creature-focused look that helps it stand out, especially in a genre that can sometimes blur together visually.
Like Eldritch Escape, this one also uses a squad of three, but Luminas Parasite Reign leans even harder into building up your team. You are not just controlling a group of characters; you are unlocking abilities, improving their kits, and shaping how the squad plays as you move through the run.
That creature-collecting energy gives the demo an interesting hook. It does not feel exactly like Pokémon, but it definitely has that same appeal of building a team and watching them grow stronger. The cubed art style also gives it a distinct look that works better than I expected.
Compared to some horde survivors, Luminas Parasite Reign plays itself a bit more than most. Your squad attacks automatically and much of the combat unfolds without direct input, leaving you to focus on positioning, upgrades, and managing your team between encounters. While there are still meaningful decisions to make, it leans further into the auto-battler side of the genre than many of its contemporaries.
I’m not sure it fully grabbed me the way Eldritch Escape did, but it is interesting enough to recommend. If you like autoshooters, creature collecting, and squad-building mechanics, Luminas Parasite Reign is absolutely worth trying during Steam Next Fest.
Final Thoughts
Steam Next Fest is a great place to see how many different directions the horde survivor genre can go, and these three demos all bring something a little different to the table.
Spaceborn Awakening is the most straightforward of the three, offering a simple sci-fi survivor loop that could be a good fit for more casual players. Eldritch Escape was my personal favorite thanks to its darker art style, three-character squad system, and stronger challenge. Luminas Parasite Reign stands out with its Pokémon-like creature vibe, cubed visuals, and more involved squad-building.
If Vampire Survivors got you hooked on the genre, these are three Steam Next Fest demos worth adding to your list.
For more upcoming games, demos, previews, reviews, and release coverage, be sure to check out our June 2026 video game and tech release calendar.
