Slayblade demo channels Y2K Beyblade vibes at Steam Next Fest

Henry’s House released a demo of Slayblade as part of Steam Next Fest. The demo is available to download and test on Steam and presents a battle-top roguelite with low-fidelity PS1-era visuals and sound meant to evoke early-2000s hardware.

In the demo, players begin in a neighborhood hub and progress through a local circuit. Early runs require earning money from small jobs such as mowing lawns and by winning street matches to buy upgrades for a spinning top. The campaign includes an investigation thread about the player character’s missing father that unfolds as players climb the tournament ladder.

The game uses a roguelite structure. Challenging opponents beyond a build’s capability can lead to quick defeats that return the player to the title screen. The demo does not unlock the opening tournament but includes playable matches and the hub systems that support a full run.

Customization is a core mechanic. Tops are assembled from 60 parts divided into heads, bodies and tips. Each component applies modifiers that change match conditions. Examples shown in the demo include a winged Vampire body that reduces an opponent’s spin by 50% in night battles and a Dart Lord body that generates arena barriers to limit knockouts. Parts can grant mid-round power-ups and persistent auras to create themed or situational builds.

Some part effects in the demo lack detailed descriptions, which encourages experimenting to learn interactions. Henry’s House has not announced a release date for the full game.

The demo pairs short, arcade-style duels with a collectible-parts progression loop. The build is available on Steam while Steam Next Fest runs.