Hela: of Mice & Magic Demo
Ends Oct 26A free playable demo of Hela: of Mice & Magic is live on Steam through Steam Next Fest, ending October 26, 2026. Here is what's inside, how co-op works, and what to expect.
Status checked October 21, 2026.
Demo at a glance
| Available | Now until October 26, 2026 (Steam Next Fest) |
| Price | Free |
| Platform | PC only (Steam). No console demo. |
| Players | Solo, or 2-player local split-screen co-op |
| Content | Standalone side story with an exclusive map (not the full game's opening) |
| Steam Deck | Playable (verified in the Next Fest build) |
What's in the demo
The demo is a standalone side story with its own exclusive map. It is not a slice of the full game's opening chapters. Treat it as a self-contained taste of Hela's co-op puzzle gameplay: gather ingredients, brew remedies and work together (or with your own Shades) across a map unique to the demo.
Because the demo area does not appear in the main game, nothing you explore there spoils the full release. It is built to show off the mechanics the studio is proudest of: the Froggy backpack movement kit and puzzles that scale from one player to two.
Co-op rules in the demo
- Solo or 2-player local co-op. The demo does not include the full game's up-to-4-player online co-op.
- Form your team before starting. Per the developers' pinned post, players must group up before a session begins; you cannot join a demo session midway.
Solo players get the complete demo experience. For how the full game expands this with online play and the Shade System, see the co-op & multiplayer guide.
Limitations and unknowns
- Progress carryover from the demo to the full game has not been officially confirmed either way.
- Playtime: no official length figure has been published.
- Game Pass: confirmed. The full game launches day one on Xbox Game Pass (Xbox Series X|S and PC) at no extra cost for subscribers, per the September 3, 2026 announcement. The demo itself is not on Game Pass.
- PC performance: the system requirements skew high for a cozy game, and several outlets flagged this from the demo build. If the demo runs poorly on your machine, check our system requirements page for what the targets actually mean.
After the demo: the full game
Hela: of Mice & Magic launches December 1, 2026 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2, with a physical Harmony Edition for collectors. Details in our release date guide and editions & pre-order comparison.
Demo FAQ
? Is the Hela: of Mice & Magic demo free?
Yes. The demo is completely free on Steam, available through Steam Next Fest until October 26, 2026.
? When does the Hela demo end?
The demo runs until October 26, 2026, alongside Steam Next Fest. Whether it returns closer to the December 1 launch has not been announced.
? Is there a demo on PS5, Xbox or Switch 2?
No. The demo is PC only (Steam). Console players wait for the full game on December 1, 2026.
? Can I play the Hela demo solo?
Yes. The demo supports solo play and two-player local split-screen co-op. The full game adds online co-op for up to four players.
? Does the demo support Steam Deck?
Yes, the demo is playable on Steam Deck, which was verified during the Next Fest build.
? Is the demo part of the full game?
No. The demo is a standalone side story with its own exclusive map, separate from the full game's opening chapters.