Xbox is leaning into the try-before-you-buy mindset, and honestly, it’s a breath of fresh air. In a time when gamers are overwhelmed by backlogs and new releases popping up like mushrooms after rain, this approach is not just welcome — it’s necessary.
Players can now dip their toes into five new demos, all available on Xbox right now, without spending a dime. Some are big names, others more under-the-radar, but each has something special to offer. Let’s break it all down.
A Nightmare Worth Facing: Through the Nightmares
This one’s not for the faint of heart — or for those who prefer their sleep uninterrupted. Through the Nightmares is what happens when you cross an emotional platformer with mechanics designed to test your patience in all the best ways.
You play as a dreamlike guardian trying to save children from their worst fears. What makes it stand out is the movement: you can shrink, grow, and manipulate your body to reach places you probably shouldn’t.
Two sentences in? Already stressful. But in a good way.
Visually, it’s got that moody, almost dreamlike art style, and if you’ve played Celeste or Inside, you’ll feel right at home here.
Just be warned — the difficulty curve doesn’t ask politely. It grabs you and tosses you headfirst into the deep end.
Final Fantasy XVI Makes Its Xbox Tease
Yep, it’s finally here — sort of. Square Enix’s once PlayStation-exclusive Final Fantasy XVI now has a demo on Xbox, and fans are… curious, to say the least.
Clive Rosfield takes center stage in a world where political alliances are as volatile as the elemental beasts (Eikons) who dictate fate. The demo offers a pretty generous chunk, covering the early story beats and giving players a solid grip on the flashy combat system.
It’s fast. It’s cinematic. It’s full of lore that’ll either pull you in or leave you scratching your head.
But here’s the thing — you don’t have to guess whether it’s your kind of game anymore. Now you can just see for yourself. And that alone makes the demo worth checking out.
EDENS ZERO: Anime Fans, This One’s For You
Not every anime adaptation turns out great. Some, well… we don’t talk about them.
But EDENS ZERO? This one might surprise you.
Based on Hiro Mashima’s space fantasy manga, it mixes lighthearted story beats with over-the-top, third-person action gameplay. What’s interesting here is the ability to control different characters, each with their own set of combat styles and special moves.
And here’s the twist: the full game doesn’t even release until July 15.
So if you’ve ever wished you could play something before launch, this is your shot.
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Playable ahead of official launch on July 15
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Features characters from the original manga/anime
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Set across multiple planets with unique bosses
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Ideal for fans of Tales of Arise or Scarlet Nexus
The devs have promised post-launch updates too, so this might be one to keep your eye on long-term.
Coffee Talk Tokyo: A Warm Cup of Weird and Wonderful
Need a break from sword fights and saving the world? Coffee Talk Tokyo is the equivalent of a hot drink on a rainy day — and yeah, sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Set in an alternate version of Tokyo, where humans and yokai (Japanese folklore spirits) share the same space, you run a cozy little café. The gameplay is slow, intentional, and reflective. Think less “boss fight” and more “emotional storytelling.”
The demo is short but sweet. It sets the tone with a new cast, a few familiar faces, and some interesting social topics wrapped in casual dialogue.
And if you’ve played the first Coffee Talk, this one feels like coming home.
Only thing missing is the actual coffee smell.
Day of the Shell: Godlike Roguelite Chaos
Alright, this one’s kind of nuts.
Day of the Shell throws you into a drowned world filled with angry deities, revolvers, and moral decisions that don’t always have happy endings. It plays like a cross between Hades and Dead Cells, with faster reload times and even faster deaths.
The twist? Every run changes not just the environment but also how gods interact with you. Some will help. Some will haunt. Some just want to watch the world burn — again.
Here’s a quick look at what you’re getting into:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Genre | Tactical Roguelite |
| Setting | Shattered, flooded world |
| Weapon System | Revolver-based combat |
| Influence System | Gods dynamically shape your run |
| Visual Style | Hand-drawn, post-apocalyptic aesthetic |
It’s challenging, but addictively so. Think you can make it to the final temple? Good luck. You’ll need it.
Why These Demos Matter More Than Ever
Let’s face it — the price of games isn’t getting any lower. With AAA titles creeping toward the $70 mark and indies fighting for scraps of attention, being able to try before you buy feels less like a marketing gimmick and more like a public service.
These demos also serve another purpose: they shine a light on smaller or weirder titles that might not have been on your radar otherwise.
You might not have known about Through the Nightmares yesterday. Today? You’re considering it for your wishlist.
And that’s the beauty of it.
