9 Kings is one of the rare Early Access games whose demo is still standing. Many studios pull the free version once the paid build starts selling; Sad Socket kept theirs up. It lives on Steam as its own store entry (app ID 3122250), downloads separately from the full game, and costs nothing.
How to get the demo
- Open the 9 Kings Steam page and look for the "Download 9 Kings Demo" section, or search "9 Kings Demo" directly in the Steam client.
- Click Download, and it installs as its own entry in your library.
- Play. The demo runs its own save, separate from the full game.
The demo is Windows and macOS, same as the full game, and the system requirements are light enough for nearly any machine from the last decade.
What players say about it
The demo's own store page carries an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating: at our last fact-check it held roughly 778 reviews with about 95% positive. That is a useful signal, because a demo rating measures first impressions from people who owe the game nothing. The full game's 23,000-plus reviews sit at 92.5% positive, so the free sample is, if anything, slightly better liked than the paid product.
Demo save questions
A question that shows up on the forums: what happens to a demo save when you buy the full game, or when the demo build ages past a patch? There is no official announcement covering demo save transfer or cleanup. Treat your demo kingdom as a taster, not a legacy.
⚠️ Unconfirmed. Whether demo progress carries into the full game is not documented anywhere official. If you plan to buy, expect to start your first real run from scratch, which is how the game is designed anyway: every run is a fresh kingdom.
Free on phones too, soon
When the mobile version arrives on October 8, 2026, it will follow the same philosophy: the download is free, the trial is genuinely playable, and a single purchase unlocks everything. If October 8 feels far away, the release date page has the full timeline, and the gameplay guide explains what you will actually be doing in your first demo runs.
FAQ
Is the 9 Kings demo still available?
Yes. At our most recent fact-check the demo store page was live and the download worked. This page carries the fact-check date for exactly this reason: demos get delisted, and if this one ever does, we will say so here first.
Is the demo the same as the full game?
No. The demo is a limited slice: fewer kings, fewer systems. It exists to teach you the loop and let you judge the game, not to replace the paid version. The full game adds the complete nine-king roster, the quest and endless modes and the multiplayer system.
Do I need the demo if I already own the game?
No. The demo is a separate store entry meant for people deciding whether to buy.