Another Labor Day weekend, another unforgettable PAX West in the books. Over 120,000 fans descended on the Seattle Convention Center(s) to celebrate all things gaming—panels, tournaments, music, indie gems, AAA blockbusters, and the ever-growing gaming community. As always, there was far too much to see in just a few days. From thought-provoking panels to chaotic show floor demos, PAX never fails to overwhelm in the best possible way. Here are some of the most memorable hands-on demos Bigshinyrobot.com experienced at PAX West 2025.
The Secret of Weepstone
Every year, I try to find that one surprise game, the hidden gem that pulls me in unexpectedly. This year, it was The Secret of Weepstone. A dungeon crawler with a striking black-and-white aesthetic, the game cleverly frames itself as a literal D&D campaign. When you hit the map button, the camera pulls back to reveal your tabletop, complete with rulebooks and dice—an immersive and fun little twist. Set in the once-great town of Weepstone, now crumbling under mysterious illness, your party of villagers explores a long-abandoned keep in search of a cure for Lord Byron. Guided by a narrator, dice rolls determine outcomes in classic D&D fashion—whether you’re avoiding traps or ambushes. I battled goblins, giant insects, and eventually took down the dungeon boss. It’s still unclear when the game launches, but I’m sold—it’s a day-one pickup for me.
Borderlands 4
If Borderlands 4 had a thesis, it’d be “controlled chaos.” My demo was frequently interrupted by the deafening glass-shattering sounds from the on-site Rage Room (yes, really), but somehow that just felt… right. The gunplay remains sharp and satisfying—very much in line with Borderlands 3—but there are welcome tweaks. You now have three action skills: two with short cooldowns, and one traditional ultimate-style ability. It’s a fun addition that adds more flexibility to combat. The demo had me and another player blasting our way through wave after wave of enemies, swapping between elemental weapons to break shields and armor. It’s undeniably more Borderlands—in all its wild, chaotic, loot-filled glory. And I’m more than ready for the full game.
Swap Meat
Ever wondered what you’d look like with mantis legs, a skeletal torso, and an eyeball for a head? No? Well, Swap Meat will make you ask anyway. This gloriously unhinged co-op shooter tasks you and three friends—employees of Rangus Meats—with harvesting alien body parts to become the ultimate protein specimen. Each mission drops you onto a bizarre planet with unique objectives: smashing eggs, rescuing researchers, and surviving endless hordes of grotesque enemies. The body-swapping mechanic is wild, allowing for absurd, Frankensteined loadouts that change your movement and abilities. It’s fast, freaky, and a ton of fun. Bonus points for its horrific, surreal creature designs—think floating eyeballs, flying turkey corpses, and flesh tanks. No chill, all chaos.
Ninja Gaiden 4
After a 13-year hiatus, Ninja Gaiden is back—and it’s sharper than ever. Ninja Gaiden 4 hands the reins to PlatinumGames and introduces newcomer Yakumo, a ferocious ninja with a unique playstyle and the devastating “Bloodbind Jutsu.” My demo had me fighting atop a speeding train before diving into a high-security facility. The difficulty is classic Ninja Gaiden—fast, brutal, and unforgiving—but Yakumo feels agile and powerful, especially once you get the hang of his skillset. Combat is tight, fluid, and stylish, and the new protagonist brings fresh energy to the series. It’s unmistakably Ninja Gaiden, with just the right dose of Platinum flair. October can’t come soon enough.
Hank: Drowning on Dry Land
Weird, ambitious, and completely original, Hank: Drowning on Dry Land is part fever dream, part puzzle-platformer. Created by the team behind Tales from the Arcade: Fart Mania (yes, really), this Polish studio dives into new territory with a drunken vigilante plagued by delusions and hunted by his nemesis, the Unraveler. Gameplay blends time-travel mechanics with puzzle-solving, as Hank confronts alternate versions of himself in surreal, abstract environments. It’s bold, strange, and refreshing in its refusal to play it safe. Not your typical PAX demo—and that’s what makes it memorable.
Love Eternal
Every time I visit Ysbryd Games at a show, I know I’m in for something special. Love Eternal is that game this year. A psychological horror platformer with haunting pixel art and gravity-shifting puzzles, it caught me completely off guard – in the best way. You play as Maya, a girl ripped from her family and thrust into the realm of gods. The world is twisted, dreamlike, and deeply atmospheric. Every sound—whether footsteps or music—feels intentional, adding to the tension and wonder. It’s hard to say much without spoiling it, so here’s my recommendation: go in blind. Don’t read the Steam page. Trust me.
RollerGirl
RollerGirl is cozy, vibrant, and completely heartfelt. You play as Naomi, a rollerblader whose car breaks down, prompting her to explore the neighborhood on skates, doing odd jobs for locals. Her MP3 player lets her shift the mood (and dialogue options) with her music choices. The game explores coming-of-age themes through the lens of a Black female protagonist, and it’s all wrapped in an autumnal color palette and chill vibes. The mechanics are simple, but emotionally rich. The demo was short but full of promise. I’m eager to see what more this soulful adventure has in store.
The Fading of Nicole Wilson
A slow-burn folk horror experience, The Fading of Nicole Wilson puts you in the shoes of Brit, a teenager assisting a ghost-hunting filmmaker. When her boss is injured in a derelict hotel, it’s up to her to finish the job—and survive. Rather than relying on cheap scares, the game builds dread over time. Tools like cameras and audio recorders help you uncover paranormal clues, and the shift from eerie quiet to full-on hauntings is wonderfully paced. My demo ended just as things started getting seriously spooky. A promising, atmospheric title I can’t wait to return to.
Resident Evil: Requiem
This was easily one of the standout demos of the show. You start as Grace, strapped to a gurney in a pitch-black hospital. Once free, you’re forced to navigate dark halls filled with puzzles—and hunted by a blind monster that hates the light. The classic Resident Evil formula is here: collect key items, solve environmental puzzles, and try not to die. You can switch between first- and third-person perspectives, but first-person heightens the horror in all the right ways. It’s intense, creepy, and left me wanting more—especially a peek at the Raccoon City Police Station (sadly not in the demo). Resident Evil: Requiem drops February 27, 2026, and it’s already shaping up to be a must-play.
Draco and the Seven Scales
Draco and the Seven Scales is a love letter to the Game Boy era, combining retro visuals with modern gameplay design. You play as a pirate captain sailing across pixelated seas, searching for sacred scales to fulfill a dark pact. Between naval exploration and dungeon-crawling, the game strikes a strong balance between combat, puzzle-solving, and storytelling. Think Link’s Awakening with ships, branching paths, and a strong sense of adventure. The green dot-matrix visuals are pitch-perfect, and the tight scope keeps the game focused and engaging.
PAX West 2025 proved once again that the gaming industry is alive with creativity—whether it’s the return of iconic franchises, new experimental indies, or genre mashups that defy categorization. Count us in for another trip to the Emerald City in 2026!