In celebration of the June 2025 edition of Steam Next Fest, PQube has rolled out playable demos for three upcoming titles, offering players a preview of three experiences set to be available to purchase soon – ranging from classic horror to retail simulation and visual novel drama. These demos, created in collaboration with development teams Dual Effect, Crinkle Cut Games, and MAGES, are now live on Steam.
First up is Tormented Souls 2, the follow-up to the survival horror game by Chilean studio Dual Effect. Players return to the role of Caroline Walker, who must navigate the decaying halls of Villa Hess in search of her missing sister. Armed with improvised weapons and facing nightmarish creatures, Caroline finds herself in a race against time amid occult threats. The demo includes the first hour of gameplay and gives a taste of the atmospheric tension that awaits when the full game launches in late 2025 on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, the Epic Games Store, and GOG.com.
For those seeking something more grounded – though perhaps no less dramatic – Discounty offers a tongue-in-cheek take on retail life. This narrative-driven management sim from Danish developers Crinkle Cut Games lets players run a discount supermarket in the quaint coastal town of Blomkest. The demo covers around 45 minutes of the first act, providing a look at shop design, community interactions, and economic choices. Discounty is scheduled for release on 21 August 2025 on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Rounding out the selection is Iwakura Aria, a suspenseful visual novel by MAGES. The story follows Ichiko, a young maid who enters the Iwakura mansion seeking safety, only to uncover unsettling truths and develop a complicated relationship with the household’s daughter. The demo features several early gameplay hours and curated scenes that tease future developments in the full narrative. Iwakura Aria is set to launch on 14 August 2025 on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
