Now that Steam‘s summer sales are coming to a close, demos have once again become the best way to find your next must-play game. Unfortunately, however, when it comes to the cozy corner of gaming, there seems to be a never-ending number of options to choose from, making it hard to narrow down the ones that are a right fit for you.
That being said, one way to make that process significantly easier is through demos. Demos offer the perfect chance to test out a game with no financial commitment. Plus, since not every game has one, it also reduces the overwhelming amount of options to help you find the perfect game.
10
Challenge Yourself With Star Birds’ Beautifully Designed Puzzles
Genre: Strategy Builder | Demo Length: 1–5 Hours | Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive
While Star Birds has not officially been released yet, it is among the list of 2025 video game releases, and so, the demo is already available for players to get an idea of what’s to come. Beyond its vibrant colors and adorable cartoon-style design, Star Birds offers players a casual resource management experience that takes place in space.
Related
Creators Behind 2024’s Viral Horror Hit Have A FREE Steam Game You Can Download Now
This free horror game on Steam comes from the dev behind last year’s viral hit—and it’s every bit as disturbing, unsettling, and worth your time.
As a crew of personable little astronaut birds, your job is to mine asteroids and harvest materials. The gameplay is casual, but still thought-provoking, and pairs nicely with the overall design of the game to give you a sense of intergalactic peace as you navigate the galaxy with your new feathered friends.
9
Final Fantasy XIV Online’s Demo Is A Full Experience
Genre: Fantasy MMORPG | Demo Length: 150+ Hours | Steam Rating: Very Positive
While FFXIV‘s demo may not technically be a demo and is more of a free trial, there’s still a portion of the game that’s available to you for free, so you can get a feel for it. However, compared to the others on this list, this MMORPG is certainly the largest time commitment, even if you only play the free content.
Free Trial players are barred from some in-game features, but do not subscribe until you are ready. If you start paying for the subscription and then cancel, you will not be able to play for free again, even if you haven’t exhausted the free content.
Overall, the free trial is honestly closer to the equivalent of two full JRPGs with how much content you’re receiving, with even more after that if you choose to sign up for a subscription afterward. While a bit different than a typical demo, this iconic and well-loved MMORPG’s free trial is the best way to find out if MMORPGs might interest you without paying a single penny, and FFXIV could not be a more perfect cozy fantasy world to escape into.
8
Fae Farm Is A Magical Take On A Classic Sub-Genre
Genre: RPG Farming Sim | Demo Length: 1–2 Hours | Steam Rating: Mostly Positive
While there are hundreds of farming simulators on the market, there’s also no denying that farming simulator life-sims make for some of the best cozy games. Something about the slow process of growing and harvesting crops while tending to a small farm and frequenting markets makes for extremely relaxing content, and Fae Farm is no exception.
Related
Fae Farm Review: Fantasy At Its Finest
Fae Farm is a magical farming game that overcomes its handful of glitches through its boundless creativity, otherworldly ambiance, and sheer cuteness.
While it is hard to compete with the big names out there, like Stardew Valley, plenty of games do attempt to offer a more unique take on the traditional farming experience to stand out. In Fae Farm, you’ll explore the enchanted island of Azoria and embrace the world of farming through the eyes of a magical Fae being. Although this fantasy take on a traditional sub-genre may not be for everyone, Fae Farm’s demo is a great way to find out as you play through the first several days of the game.
7
The Possibilities In Tiny Glade Are Only Limited By Your Imagination
Genre: Sandbox Builder | Demo Length: 2+ Hours | Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive
If you’re a fan of constructing elaborately cozy dioramas, Tiny Glade might just be the perfect game for you, as that is essentially all this sandbox game is. At a minimum, you’ll probably spend between 1–2 hours getting an idea of whether the full version may interest you, but it’s also possible to spend a lot more if you find yourself getting carried away.
Demos often appear in a green tab on the game’s main page, but they may also occasionally appear on the right side under “Is This Game Relevant To You?”, as Tiny Glade‘s does for me, so be sure to check both if you have trouble finding the Demo.
However, some players have even treated the demo like its own game and spent 10+ hours inside it, further supporting just how addictive this builder can be. Ultimately, the game focuses on constructing the most beautiful cottages, towns, and castles you can imagine, which could be especially helpful if you’re a writer or Dungeon Master who has trouble visualizing your worlds, but is great for anyone looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
6
Clean Up Polluted Ocean Planets In Loddlenaut
Genre: Underwater Survival | Demo Length: Under 1 Hour | Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive
When it comes to the cozy genre of gaming, design is everything. Gameplay can be masterful, but bad design can turn players off to a game rather quickly, and I’d even argue that players are less likely to overlook a game with a great design even if they’ve never heard of it, which brings me to Loddlenaut.
Related
10 Greatest Cozy Games On Steam For Less Than $10
You don’t need a big budget to enjoy cozy gaming—discover adorable and relaxing games on Steam that cost less than $10, some of which are even free.
One look at this game, and you instantly feel welcomed into its beautiful atmosphere, which is especially impressive given that it takes place in an ocean, something people tend to frequently fear. However, between caring for the adorable axolotl-like creatures and cleaning up the polluted ocean, I can promise that Loddlenaut is anything but scary.
5
Help Characters Find Where They Belong In Is This Seat Taken?
Genre: 2D Puzzle | Demo Length: Under 1 Hour | Steam Rating: Not Yet Rated
Similarly to Star Birds, Is This Seat Taken? has not yet been released, but is planned for a 2025 release with a demo available for players who would like to test it out. Within its charmingly unique 2D style, Is This Seat Taken? challenges players to solve puzzles designed around figuring out where characters belong in various scenes based on clues.
Related
10 Best Steam Games That Are Completely, 100% Free
There are plenty of free-to-play titles on Steam, but there are also some excellent truly free games, and these 10 are worth a playthrough.
While placing things in the scenes, you’ll be provided reactions, requests, and complaints from the various characters to help you solve puzzles. The idea is incredibly unique, and the puzzles are just the right amount of difficulty to keep the experience engaging, but not frustrating. With this cozy game planned for release next month, now is as good a time as any to give it a shot and see what you think.
4
Find Your Eye For Photography In TOEM
Genre: Puzzle Adventure | Demo Length: Under 1 Hour | Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive
While a lot of cozy games often go the more obvious route of sticking to the simulation genre, it is refreshing to see cozy games that break tradition and attempt something more unique. TOEM is almost the complete opposite of everything you’d expect something in the cozy genre to be, with its adventure gameplay and black and white color palette, and yet it still somehow works perfectly.
As a small photographer, you’ll explore the world of TOEM, working to complete tasks and solve puzzles by snapping photos with your camera. The relaxing nature of the tasks and the primary focus on exploration make TOEM a truly incredible experience to de-stress with, but if you’re concerned about TOEM‘s differences not being the right fit for you, the demo is the best way to find out.
3
Spiritfarer Will Break Your Heart In The Best Way
Genre: Management | Demo Length: Under 1 Hour | Steam Rating: Overwhelmingly Positive
At first glance, death is probably not the first thing you think of when you think of a comfortable way to wind down after a long day, but Spiritfarer‘s beautiful storytelling somehow manages to pull it off. As a ferryman, your job is to help various adorable spirits into the afterlife after getting to know them, and it is just as heart-wrenching as it sounds.
Related
The Biggest Lie in Cozy Gaming
Cozy gaming isn’t always what it seems—and the biggest lie is one we’ve all bought into.
As you continue to build your boat and meet new spirits, this story-rich experience quickly becomes something you can’t seem to step away from. The demo doesn’t quite prepare you for how emotional Spiritfarer can be in its strongest moments, but it does give you a good idea of whether the overall slow-paced gameplay is something that might be a good fit for you.
2
Tiny Bookshop May Be Cozy Gaming At Its Peak
Genre: Management Life Sim | Demo Length: Under 1 Hour | Steam Rating: Not Yet Rated
Scheduled for full release on August 7th, 2025, Tiny Bookshop is an exciting upcoming life sim game focused on running a bookshop on the coast. Although it may not sound like much, don’t let the name fool you, as numerous things constantly need your attention at any given time in Tiny Bookshop.
While getting to know the locals passing through your tiny bookshop, you’ll be able to assist them with all their bookish needs. By managing your inventory and customizing your shop, you have the opportunity to make your new business venture the talk of the town in this charming game demo that combines perhaps two of the coziest things I can think of: books and beautiful scenery.
1
Embrace The Quiet Life Of A Magical Shopkeeper In Teddy’s Haven
Genre: Fantasy Shop Simulator | Demo Length: Under 1 Hour | Steam Rating: Very Positive
With different shop simulator games on the rise in the cozy market, it’s become even more difficult for some of the more original ones to stand out, which unfortunately includes Teddy’s Haven. As opposed to the more traditional concept of running a supermarket or pop-culture shop, Teddy’s Haven offers players the opportunity to create and manage their very own fantasy store.
Teddy’s Haven is currently in Early Access, so please keep that in mind if you opt to purchase the full game after completing the demo.
Say goodbye to trading cards and cereal boxes and hello to potions and daggers as you embark on an incredible fantasy business venture. Additionally, as if the fantasy take on the sub-genre and art style reminiscent of World of Warcraft weren’t enough, the world is surprisingly large for this type of game, with plenty to discover.
If you’ve ever dreamed of being the knowledgeable, mysterious shop owner that the heroes in high-fantasy stories often rely on, Teddy’s Haven is a Steam demo you won’t want to miss.
