RiftStorms Launches Steam Demo With PvE Co-Op and $10K Giveaway

RiftStorms is stepping into the spotlight with a public demo as part of Steam Next Fest, giving players a first taste of its PvE-focused squad shooter. The timing isn’t accidental. Alongside the demo, the developers are kicking off a wishlist giveaway with rewards that stretch up to five figures.

On the surface, this is a twin-stick, top-down action game. But under that layer is a co-op-centered design that leans into enemy waves, tactical loadouts, and a light story wrapped in a dark sci-fi world. It’s early access in the truest sense—raw, testable, and built for feedback.

Gameplay leans into PvE teamwork

The RiftStorms demo focuses on cooperative player-versus-environment missions. You drop into war-torn maps with a squad, take on AI-controlled enemies, and fight through waves while collecting resources and upgrades. It’s fast-paced but not chaotic, with enough room for roles to emerge organically—tank builds, support skills, damage bursts.

Each playable character brings a slightly different playstyle, and while the demo doesn’t open up a huge roster, there’s enough variation to suggest a class system with some strategic depth. Moment-to-moment combat is fluid, and weapons feel distinct enough to matter. From a mechanical perspective, it feels more like Helldivers than a traditional MOBA, though it keeps a smaller scale.

Visuals mix sci-fi grit with clean design

The game sticks to a stylized, isometric look that leans more readable than flashy. Environments carry a ruined industrial vibe metal corridors, broken facilities, and flashes of alien growths spreading through the architecture. Nothing feels overcrowded, which helps in a game where visibility matters.

Effects are restrained but effective. Abilities are easy to track. Enemy silhouettes are clear. This kind of legibility is essential for a top-down shooter, and RiftStorms seems to be dialing it in early. The art style doesn’t overextend, which keeps performance tight and frame rates stable, even during bigger enemy rushes.

Web3 layer is present but not dominant

While RiftStorms integrates Web3 elements, the demo itself doesn’t surface much of it. The blockchain mechanics appear to live mostly in the background for now. There’s talk of token-driven cosmetics, progression systems, and tradable items post-launch, but none of that is core to the current build. That could be a deliberate choice, keeping the barrier to entry low while the game builds out its core systems.

For now, the main Web3 component is tied to the wishlist giveaway. Players who engage with the event have a shot at earning token rewards, with tiers based on participation and referrals. It’s a model used by other hybrid titles like Shardbound or Champions Ascension, blending traditional wishlist marketing with blockchain incentives.

Steam Next Fest is a key testing moment

The Next Fest window isn’t just a marketing beat. It’s a way to see how the systems hold up with a broader user base. From network stability to UI clarity, this is the moment RiftStorms needs real input to shape its next development milestones. If the feedback loop works, the game could pivot, polish, or restructure—depending on what players signal through gameplay and retention.

The wishlist campaign tied to this phase sweetens the draw. It offers a tangible reason for users to engage beyond just testing, even if those rewards are gated behind future milestones.

RiftStorms is still early, but it’s moving with intent

There’s no shortage of squad-based action games in the market, but RiftStorms is staking a position by keeping its focus narrow and its gameplay immediate. Whether the Web3 layer becomes more visible later will likely depend on how players respond to this demo phase. For now, it’s the co-op loop and visual clarity that do most of the talking. The rest, including how token economies fit in, is still on standby.