INTI CREATES has dropped exciting news for fans of retro-inspired action: a playable demo for their 2D action Metroidvania, Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark, is now available as part of Steam Next Fest.

This sneak peek offers a taste of the gothic adventure awaiting players before its full release on March 27, 2025. Alongside the demo, pre-orders are open on Steam, featuring a 10% discount off the $29.99 base price and an exclusive “Demon Maid’s Trusty Tools Set” bonus DLC, packing extra sub-weapons for early buyers.

Note that this DLC will be available for purchase separately after launch, making the pre-order deal a sweet bonus for jumping in early.

Building on the success of Gal Guardians: Demon Purge, Servants of the Dark takes players deep into the Demon Realm. Here, you’ll guide two new protagonists, demon maid sisters Kirika and Masha Kurashiki on a mission to resurrect their fallen master, Demon Lord Maxim.

Expect vast, interconnected maps filled with secrets, brutal enemies, and an upside-down world that flips the script on the series’ gothic roots. These sisters aren’t just fighting for survival; they’re clashing with rival Demon Lords, human Demon Hunters, and other supernatural threats in a chaotic power struggle almost certain to delight.

Personally, I’ve always admired Inti Creates for their knack at blending retro charm with top-notch quality, what with the studio being behind such classics as Mega Man Zero and Azure Striker Gunvolt, Servants of the Dark looks like another gem in their crown.

In an industry increasingly watered down by ESG-driven blandness, their commitment to fanservice and creative integrity seen in their refusal to censor Gal Gun Returns on Xbox, opting to instead cancel the release and prioritize PC and Switch instead sets them apart as a studio that truly knows its audience.

The Steam Next Fest demo drops you right into the action, as Kirika and Masha struggle to recover from Demon Lord Maxim’s crushing defeat at the hands of the ruthless Lyzenorg. This tense opening sets the stage for their journey, blending fluid combat with the promise of an expansive adventure.

  • Demon & Demon Hunter Battles – Face off against an intense mix of enemies from rival demon lords to relentless human hunters, in fast-paced, high-stakes encounters.
  • Expanded Metroidvania Gameplay – The game evolves beyond its action-platformer roots, offering a fully interconnected Demon Realm packed with secrets to uncover.
  • Dual Protagonists – Swap between Kirika’s long-range demonic firearms and Masha’s close-combat whip, each with their own distinct playstyle and traversal abilities.
  • Local Co-op Mode – Join forces with a friend in two-player local co-op, fully supported in the demo.

Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark launches digitally on March 27, 2025, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, with physical editions for PS5 and Switch arriving soon after. Inti Creates delivers yet another retro-inspired gem, blending pixel-perfect visuals, intricate labyrinthine maps, and a distinctly Castlevania-esque atmosphere with modern refinements.

As mentioned before, pre-ordering the game now will offer a 10% discount, bringing the price down to $26.99 USD along with an exclusive bonus DLC featuring additional sub-weapons when the full game arrives. This is just a glimpse of the customization depth awaiting players, with a variety of sub-weapons and “Demon Relics” to collect, craft, and combine to fit your playstyle.

With recent successes like the deck-building Card-en-Ciel. a fanservice-laced title boasting a 93% rating on Steam from over 615 reviews and Umbraclaw (88% from 94 reviews), Inti Creates continues to stand out. Their passion for retro aesthetics and unapologetic fanservice is on full display here.

Whether you’re scouring the Demon Realm for Maxim’s scattered bones, reviving vassals to rebuild your castle, or seamlessly switching between sisters in slick two-player co-op action, Servants of the Dark is shaping up to be a must-play for retro gaming enthusiasts.