He is Coming: Dark Retro Auto Battler Unveils Expanded Demo for Steam Next Fest

With its nostalgic visuals and auto battler gameplay, you might initially think He is Coming is a simple throwback to the early days of gaming, complete with vintage sound effects as you watch battles unfold. But you’d be mistaken. The upcoming gem from indie publisher Hooded Horse spices things up with roguelite components, introducing unpredictable playthroughs, 30 formidable bosses, and an impressive array of items. Dive into the experience yourself with the demo available for the upcoming Steam Next Fest.

Hooded Horse has an eye for discovering indie greats. Their crowning achievement, Manor Lords, is well-known, but their lineup includes many other fantastic titles, both released and forthcoming. Recently acquired, He is Coming is already enjoying the limelight at the Steam Next Fest.

Striving to stand out among the best auto battlers, He is Coming operates on a day-night cycle. By day, players roam the world to gather potent items, but when night falls, the struggle against corrupted foes begins. Every few nights, one of the game’s 30 challenging bosses emerges. True to its roguelike roots, the identity of these bosses isn’t revealed ahead of time, making each playthrough a fresh adventure reminiscent of Darkest Dungeon, but with its own distinct flair.

This element of surprise means you need to stockpile items and familiarize yourself with each foe as you meet them, staying ready for whatever comes your way. As an auto battler, you can’t rely on deft maneuvers or clever battle tactics—preparing your champion is crucial, and you have to hope your strategy holds up in combat.

Once you’ve mastered the use of 350 items and conquered every boss, the final challenge awaits: taking down the Demon King, the mastermind of the world’s dark fate.

It all shapes up to be an electrifying adventure, and there’s no need to wait. A demo for He is Coming is available right now, lasting until the end of Steam Next Fest on Monday, March 3.

The demo doesn’t only showcase the single-player mode; it also debuts the game’s asynchronous multiplayer mode, Kingmaker. In this mode, player-created builds are sent out to challenge others in a test of strategic genius. I personally adore a good invasion mechanic.

If tactical combat or treasure hunting is your thing, have a look at our top picks for strategy games and the best RPGs.

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