Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The Rifted Skies’ free Steam demo is no longer within its advertised window. Developer DreamVR said the Next Fest demo would be playable from October 12 through October 26, 2026. Because that date has passed, access may no longer be available; DreamVR did not publish a confirmed local-time shutdown hour. The demo offered a compact introduction to the physically active VR parkour action roguelite, while the full game is planned for SteamVR and Meta Quest in fall 2026. A firm launch date remains unannounced.
When did The Rifted Skies demo end?
DreamVR’s official Steam community announcement specified that its Next Fest demo would be playable “between October 12th – October 26th.” October 26 was the end of the announced availability window, not a guarantee of a particular time of day in every region. On October 28, the evidence available for this article does not establish that the demo remains downloadable or playable.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe demo opened on Steam before Steam Next Fest itself. If Steam still shows an install or launch option in your library, that would be a platform-side exception rather than a newly announced extension. DreamVR has not established a permanent demo, a new end date, or a standalone Quest demo release.
What kind of game is The Rifted Skies?
The Rifted Skies is an active VR parkour action roguelite set in a long-abandoned world. You play a lone warrior who fights through runs, falls, returns with new powers and races against a Rift that is swallowing reality. DreamVR describes the experience as “an active VR parkour set in a long-abandoned world,” and the Steam demo page frames every run as a race against that advancing threat.
Popular on Amazon
- NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Game, play and explore immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
- 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
- EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Take gaming to a new level and blend virtual objects with your physical space to experience two worlds at once in your VR headset.
- 2+ HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Charge less, play longer and stay in the action with an improved battery that keeps up. *Based on the graphic performance of the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform vs the Meta Quest 2 platform.
- 33% MORE MEMORY — Upgrade your VR game system with 8GB of RAM. Enhanced memory delivers a next-level experience fueled by sharper graphics and more responsive performance.
Steam labels the demo VR Only, Single-player, Game demo and Tracked Controller Support. It is not a conventional flatscreen action game with an optional headset mode.
What is included in the demo?
The playable slice follows the opening of the first biome and introduces the game’s movement, combat and progression systems.
A narrative tutorial and the first biome
A narrative-driven tutorial teaches the basic controls before sending you into two locations within the first biome. The demo covers part of The Village, the first of three planned biomes, and introduces the first of six unique enemies.
Also popular on Amazon
- NEARLY 30% LEAP IN RESOLUTION — Experience every thrill in breathtaking detail with sharp graphics and stunning 4K+ Infinite Display.
- NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Game, play and explore in immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
- 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
- EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Blend virtual objects with your physical space and experience two worlds at once in your VR headset.
- 2+ HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Charge less, play longer and stay in the action with an improved battery that keeps up.
Arm-swinging parkour
Movement is designed around physical actions: sprint by swinging your arms, jump by throwing your arms upward, then leap, slide, glide, climb and wall-run through the environment. UploadVR’s reviewer played through a Meta Quest 3 using Virtual Desktop and reported that jumping and squatting also had controller-based alternatives. That is one reviewer’s observation, not a promise that every setup will recognize gestures identically.
Combat with a sword and rifters
Combat encounters appear in arenas and during runs. The demo gives you a sword that supports melee attacks and ranged combat; Steam’s description says swordplay can send enemy projectiles back at their owners. The first enemy type is a rifter, encountered in both dedicated arenas and traversal sections.
Wings and run upgrades
The first meta-progression ability is wings, introduced with a flight tutorial. DreamVR also lists more than 20 run upgrades, reworked after recent playtests. These upgrades are part of the roguelite loop: a run changes as you acquire enhancements, while failure sends you back to try again with new options.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Also popular on Amazon
- NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Game, play, exercise and explore immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
- 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the SnapdragonTM XR2 Gen 2 processor.
- EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Take gaming to a new level and blend virtual objects with your physical space to experience two worlds at once.
- 2+ HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Charge less, play longer and stay in the action with an improved battery that keeps up.
- 33% MORE MEMORY — Elevate your play with 8GB of RAM. Upgraded memory delivers a next-level experience fueled by sharper graphics and more responsive performance.
What PC and VR hardware does the Steam demo require?
The Steam version is a Windows PC VR title. A Quest headset can serve as the display and tracking device, but the demo still requires a capable Windows gaming PC, an OpenXR runtime and motion controllers; it is not a standalone Quest download according to the available listing.
| Requirement | Steam listing |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 or higher |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 Comet Lake-equivalent or better |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070-equivalent or better |
| Graphics API | DirectX 12 |
| Storage | 5 GB available space |
| VR standard | OpenXR |
| Input | Motion controllers required |
Steam lists support for Meta Quest 2 or newer, Rift S, PICO 4 or newer, Valve Index and Vive headsets. Compatibility with a listed headset does not remove the Windows PC requirement for this demo.
How demanding and comfortable is the movement?
The design expects active upper-body movement and repeated crouching, jumping and climbing, so clear floor space and a secure play area matter more than they do in a seated VR game. UploadVR reported that arm-swinging and squat recognition could trigger generously during its play session; the reviewer advised pausing before reaching for a drink or adjusting a headset. Treat that as an individual hands-on impression rather than a benchmark or universal behavior.
Also popular on Amazon
- NEARLY 30% LEAP IN RESOLUTION — Experience every thrill in breathtaking detail with sharp graphics and stunning 4K Infinite Display.
- NO WIRES, MORE FUN — Break free from cords. Play, explore and exercise in immersive worlds — untethered and without limits.
- 2X GRAPHICAL PROCESSING POWER — Enjoy lightning-fast load times and next-gen graphics for smooth gaming powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor.
- EXPERIENCE VIRTUAL REALITY — Blend virtual objects with your physical space and experience two worlds at once.
- 2+ HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Charge less, play longer and stay in the action with an improved battery that keeps up.
Players who prefer less physical movement should look for the controller alternatives reported in that coverage, but the supplied evidence does not document a complete comfort menu, teleport mode or adjustable locomotion setting. Motion-sickness tolerance can vary substantially with continuous running, gliding and wall-running.
Is The Rifted Skies coming to Meta Quest?
DreamVR’s current platform plan names both Meta Quest and SteamVR, with a fall 2026 target. UploadVR also lists the full game for Steam and Quest with the release date marked TBA. That makes a Quest version an announced intention, not a confirmed launch appointment or proof of a standalone demo.
For now, the documented demo route is Steam on a Windows PC using a supported OpenXR headset and motion controllers. Wait for a separate store listing or developer announcement before assuming the finished Quest edition will run without a PC.
Also popular on Amazon
- Unmatched Visual Acuity with 50 PPD: Aspherical lenses deliver 50 Pixels Per Degree, eliminating the screen-door effect for true edge-to-edge sharpness.
- QLED & Mini-LED Display: 3840x3840 per eye with Local Dimming. Combines OLED-level blacks with QLED brightness via Mini-LED technology.
- Expansive 140° Wide Field of View: Break free from tunnel vision,Ultra-wide 140° field of view expands peripheral vision, maximizing situational awareness in simulators.
- Precision Inside-Out Tracking: Flexible tracking,ensures low-latency, responsive motion capture, allowing you to jump into the action instantly.
- High Refresh Rate: Supports up to 90Hz (and beyond), ensuring buttery-smooth gameplay for fast-paced action and racing,for professionals and sim racers demanding absolute precision and immersion.
What is known about development progress?
DreamVR said nearly half of 60 people who requested a playtest shared feedback. That is a development-feedback figure, not a sales total, concurrent-player count or popularity measure. The team also said the demo’s run upgrades were reworked after recent playtests, indicating that the systems shown in the demo may continue to change before release.
What should you do if you missed the demo?
- Check The Rifted Skies’ Steam page and DreamVR’s official announcements for any extension or replacement build.
- Do not buy a Quest headset solely for the demo: the documented Steam version still needs a Windows PC that meets the listed specifications.
- Watch for a confirmed full-game date and a standalone-versus-PC requirement before planning a purchase around the fall 2026 target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still download The Rifted Skies demo after October 26?
The announced window ended October 26, 2026, and no extension is established in the available information. Steam may show different availability by account or region, so the store page is the only reliable place to check your access.
Recommended Free Tools
Does The Rifted Skies support seated play?
The published description emphasizes arm-swinging, jumping, sliding, climbing and wall-running. A review reported controller equivalents for jumping and squatting, but the available material does not confirm a complete seated-play mode.
How large is The Rifted Skies demo download?
Steam lists 5 GB of available storage as a requirement. That figure describes required free space, not necessarily the exact download size after installation.
How many biomes will the finished game have?
The demo takes place in part of The Village, identified as the first of three biomes. The available information does not describe the contents or size of the other two.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
