The adorably spooky Haunted Paws has released a free demo on Steam, giving players a chance to team up as two puppies on a mission to find their missing owner.
In Haunted Paws, you play as two adorable pups who wake up at home to find the place trashed and their owner nowhere to be found. Naturally, the pair set off to solve the mystery. There’s also plenty of time for the important stuff, like peeing on fire hydrants and sniffing out treats along the way.
The short demo packs in a surprising variety of gameplay. We tackled some light platforming, investigated our surroundings, and even jumped into a car for a spot of driving. In a very It Takes Two fashion, one player controlled the pedals while the other took charge of the steering wheel.
The demo also feels impressively polished. The playful interface, spooky but not-too-spooky soundtrack, and adorable visuals all help bring the world to life. We particularly loved the little details in the dogs’ animations, from their idle scratching to how they held the flashlights horizontally. Even our own dog Winston seemed to approve, sitting and watching us play through the entire demo.
There are several dog breeds to choose from, with even more expected at launch. I went with a Bull Terrier, while my girlfriend opted for a Spaniel. You can also find hidden treats throughout the levels, which unlock cute cosmetics to customize your pups. Because saving your missing owner is important, but looking adorable while doing it is even better.
The Haunted Paws demo is available now on Steam, with demos for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox also on the way. There’s no release date for the full game just yet, but if you fancy a co-op adventure that mixes cozy exploration with a little bit of horror, it’s well worth giving the demo a go.
You can also wishlist Haunted Paws on Steam to keep up with future updates.
