The Bornless, a horror extraction shooter by Cathedral Studios, is now free to play for a full week during Steam Next Fest. From June 9 to June 16, players can step into this unique blend of shooter, strategy, and supernatural chaos. The demo is now available to download on Steam and gives a complete look at the game's intense core mechanics.
The Bornless is a first-person multiplayer game that combines PvPvE combat with occult horror. You play as a Seeker, part of a duo exploring the haunted Farmouth Island in the 1960s. Your goal: survive, perform a ritual, and extract with your life. But this is no ordinary extraction shooter.
Every match includes up to eight duos, each working to summon and defeat a demon before turning on each other to be the last pair standing. The eerie setting mixes old diners, shrines, and firelit ruins to create an environment that feels alive with dread.
Each match in The Bornless is a Ritual, and it unfolds in three stages.
Phase One: Loot and Explore.
You start in a quiet cabin with your partner. The first task is to search the island for gear, guns, items, and a special resource called Incense. While scavenging, you'll also face AI cultists who defend sacred spots on the map. Incense is essential for what's to come.
Phase Two: Start the Ritual.
When you've found enough Incense, you head to a Demon Gate. These massive, horned altars require three skulls, collected by activating incense totems. If you survive the cultists and other players long enough to do this, you summon a demon. Defeat it, and you'll earn a powerful item called a Sigil.
Phase Three: Hunt or Be Hunted.
With a Sigil in hand, the game changes. Your location is now visible to all players, and you can temporarily transform into a demon. This gives you an edge, but also makes you a target. Other players will try to take your Sigil, and the only way to win is to hold it and escape.
The gameplay changes constantly, and alliances can shift mid-match. You'll need to decide when to fight and when to run, making each game feel fresh and unpredictable.
The Bornless isn't just about guns. Players can use Black Magick: special powers that add a supernatural layer to combat. From Hellfire Grenades to Sigil Shields, each ability opens new strategies.
You'll also face or become one of several terrifying demons. There's Orobas, a fast, brutal beast; Phenex, a fire demon with area damage; and Belial, who manipulates blood and darkness. Each has different strengths, and more are coming in future updates.
The Bornless already held a Fractured Souls Playtest from June 7 to 8. It added quests, a merchant named Haag, trading, and updated visuals using ray tracing and Nanite. Players could unlock up to 10 Seekers and 3 Demons, and all progress carries over to the public demo.
During Steam Next Fest, anyone can play the new demo. Just search for "The Bornless Demo" on Steam and install the updated version. This is not the same build as older playtests, so make sure you get the current demo for this week's event.
You don't have to play alone. Inside the game's Discord server, players can team up using the Shepherd system. You can either "Call a Duo" to find a partner or "Call a Shepherd" if you want guidance from a veteran player.
Once paired, you can hop into voice chat and explore Farmouth together. For any issues, the team has set up channels for live updates, bug reports, and suggestions.
With its dark setting, changing objectives, and a mix of shooting and sorcery, The Bornless stands out during Steam Next Fest. Whether you're drawn to its Lovecraftian themes or its tactical gameplay, now is the time to enter the ritual.
And if you're looking for something more fast-paced, Sparkball, a competitive 4v4 sports brawler mixing LoL and Rocket League, is also free to try this week on Steam.
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