This is the first part of a series that I may eventually post on my website that's under construction but I wanted to post it here first.


We all took part in the demo event 2022 but, contrary to what some gamers know, there are still many demos that are live for you to try! Here's a look at some of them that are available still, right now. These demos are free to try and the developers need feedback so consider joining their Discords to hang out!


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1593170/Veil_of_Dust_A_Homesteading_Game/

Tags: Farming Sim, Story Rich, Dating, Romance, Life Sim, Building, Fantasy, Female Protagonist, Multiple Protagonists

Veil of Dust is a two-person effort between married couple Mike and Elle Caputo from Calamity Bay Games. It's already in Early Access for you to try but in the meantime, the demo takes place over the first chapter in the overarching story in the game and gives you an introduction to the characters, mechanics, and story.

In the future, there will be two playable characters, a kind witch named Aine and her strong, caring brother Shane. Right now only Aine's story is playable but the two's stories parallel one another and intersect in an overarching narrative. However, you still have much freedom in how and when you do events in the game.

Wake up and check your crops, do some magic to make them grow faster, then go off to hunt rabbits with the help of your woodland creature friends before finally settling down to talk with one of several planned romanceable NPCs. (You have the option of having a LGBT romance too!)

As this is in Early Access, free updates will apply. More features are planning to be added to this game, including as mentioned playing as Shane, a day/night cycle, and possibly even caring for animals at the farm, so be sure to check out the Discord here[discord.gg] to keep tabs.

You can import your progress from the demo into the full game, should you choose to buy later. In fact, I recommend trying the demo first to see if you like it and continue your progress from there.


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1700870/Clanfolk/

Tags: RPG, Adventure, Strategy, Simulation, Colony Sim, Survival, Sandbox

This Early Access game takes its inspiration from colony sims such as Rimworld and if you've played that, you'll be right at home here except there is not as much focus on base safety against enemies. Instead, you'll be looking at safety from the elements, fires, and famine all set in the rural medieval Scottish highlands.

Later on, more features will be added to the game such as the ability to meet neighboring clans, intermarry with them, and even run an inn. The members of your clan age, grow up, grow old, and die, meaning you will be responsible for carrying on the next generation.

The demo takes place across the first ten days the day and night cycle of the tutorial and is jam packed with features already, such as base building, setting priority tasks, cooking, catching eels, farming, and many more. This one is definitely one to keep an eye on for release if you like simulations like this.

This game also will let you continue your progress to the full game when it launches on July 14. Be sure to consider joining the Discord here[discord.gg] and look at the announcements channel for info on how to join the free secret beta!

*The first iteration of this post implied that Veil of Dust does not already have a day/night cycle. It does, of course, we meant to write seasons. Sorry for any errors!