A new free demo has just been released on Steam, and it seems like the perfect cosy treat for Christmas.
With the Christmas holidays quickly approaching, developers are winding down on new releases and instead launching free demos and first looks of upcoming games slated for 2026 on Steam.
It’s a good way of getting eyes on your game during a time where people aren’t going to be spending money on new games, but might have free time to check out any free downloads that become available.
Elfgineer is one such game, which is not yet ready for a full release but has a nice new demo for players to check out ahead of time. And given the Christmas theming around Elfgineer, now might be the best time to play the demo.
The demo for Elfgineer features seven levels, the first stages of the month-long run Elfgineer has to save Christmas. Alongside this is a timed roguelike Christmas Crunch mode, adding a bit of urgency to your playthroughs.
Although the demo only launched this week, there are already quite a few positive reviews on the store page. Many are calling it easy to grasp, but it has a decent learning curve too.
The full release will include many more levels and features, along with more ways to enjoy it through alternative game modes and options.
The official blurb on Elfgineer reads: “The Grinch has struck the North Pole, poisoning every elf responsible for toy production. Every elf, except one.
“You are the last Elfgineer — a brilliant tinkerer determined to save Christmas. Forget handcrafting toys the old-fashioned way — it’s time to automate the magic.
“Build conveyor belts, design machines, and create sprawling production lines powered by festive energy. Combine resources like wood, copper, wool, paint, and even falling stars to craft toys, wrap gifts, and fill Santa’s sleigh before the big night arrives.”
It adds: “Manage your factory, optimize your layouts, and unlock wondrous new technologies as you fight to bring joy back to the world — all in the name of restoring Christmas spirit. Can one elf and a mountain of machines save Christmas?”
There’s no word yet on when Elfgineer will be released. It looks as though developer DigitalMishaps may be preparing for a 2026 release but that’s unclear for the time being. If it wants to fit in with the Christmas theme, I imagine we’ll see it closer to the end of next year.
