Here's a top ten list of the most popular computer game demos on About.com Computer Action Games website. This list provides a brief summary and links to the demo profile page to each game which contains more information and download links for the computer game demo.
Updated: May 2009
1. Battlefield 1942
Release Date: Sep 19, 2002
Genre: Action - First Person Shooter
Theme: World War 2
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Battlefield
Demo Page
The Battlefield 1942 is a great World War 2 first person shooter that is mostly geared towards online multiplayer battles. There is a Battlefield 1942 demo for both the single player and multiplayer portion of the game. The single player demo takes place on the Tobruk map while the multiplayer demo is played on the Wake Island map.
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Genre: Action - First Person Shooter
Theme: World War 2
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Battlefield
Demo Page
The Battlefield 1942 is a great World War 2 first person shooter that is mostly geared towards online multiplayer battles. There is a Battlefield 1942 demo for both the single player and multiplayer portion of the game. The single player demo takes place on the Tobruk map while the multiplayer demo is played on the Wake Island map.
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2. Diablo II
Release Date: Jun 29, 2000
Genre: Action RPG
Theme: Fantasy
Rating: M for Mature
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Diablo
Demo Page
An unknown force of evil has swept across the land that has set you on a quest to uncover the mysteries behind a king's missing son and a mysterious archbishop. The Diablo 2 demo puts you in the role of the Barbarian as you journey through the lands of Sanctuary to battle Blood Raven in one mission from the full version of the game.
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Genre: Action RPG
Theme: Fantasy
Rating: M for Mature
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Diablo
Demo Page
An unknown force of evil has swept across the land that has set you on a quest to uncover the mysteries behind a king's missing son and a mysterious archbishop. The Diablo 2 demo puts you in the role of the Barbarian as you journey through the lands of Sanctuary to battle Blood Raven in one mission from the full version of the game.
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3. Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
Release Date: Sep 30, 1999
Genre: Real Time Strategy
Theme: Historical
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Age of Empires
Demo Page
The Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings demo gives you the a look into what you can experience in this class real time strategy game from Microsoft and Ensemble Studios. The demo includes the William Wallace learning campaign which is a basic tutorial, a random map skirmish game and a four player multiplayer game on a random map.
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Genre: Real Time Strategy
Theme: Historical
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Age of Empires
Demo Page
The Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings demo gives you the a look into what you can experience in this class real time strategy game from Microsoft and Ensemble Studios. The demo includes the William Wallace learning campaign which is a basic tutorial, a random map skirmish game and a four player multiplayer game on a random map.
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4. Medal of Honor Allied Assault
Release Date: Jan 22, 2002
Genre: Action - First Person Shooter
Theme: World War 2
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Medal of Honor
Demo Page
Medal of Honor Allied Assault has two seperate demos for the single player and multiplayer portions of the World War 2 first person shooter. In the single player demo, players lead a small group of troops behind enemy lines to destroy a Nebelwerfer 41 six-barreled rocket launcher. The multiplayer demo contains one map playable in one of the four game play modes that are included in the full version of the game.
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Genre: Action - First Person Shooter
Theme: World War 2
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Medal of Honor
Demo Page
Medal of Honor Allied Assault has two seperate demos for the single player and multiplayer portions of the World War 2 first person shooter. In the single player demo, players lead a small group of troops behind enemy lines to destroy a Nebelwerfer 41 six-barreled rocket launcher. The multiplayer demo contains one map playable in one of the four game play modes that are included in the full version of the game.
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5. Left 4 Dead
Release Date: Nov 18, 2008
Genre: Action - First Person Shooter
Theme: Survival Horror
Rating: M for Mature
Game Modes: Co-op multiplayer
Demo Page
The Left 4 Dead demo gives you the opportunity to play two levels from one of the game's four storylines in either multiplayer and single player mode. The multiplayer portion of the demo however, will be shut down once the game hits general release on November 18th.
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Genre: Action - First Person Shooter
Theme: Survival Horror
Rating: M for Mature
Game Modes: Co-op multiplayer
Demo Page
The Left 4 Dead demo gives you the opportunity to play two levels from one of the game's four storylines in either multiplayer and single player mode. The multiplayer portion of the demo however, will be shut down once the game hits general release on November 18th.
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6. Age of Empires
Release Date: Oct 15, 1997
Genre: Real Time Strategy
Theme: Historical
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Age of Empires
Demo Page
Age of Empires is the computer game that helped the real time strategy genre become popular. Covering thousands of years, players lead there civilization out of the stone age.
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Genre: Real Time Strategy
Theme: Historical
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Age of Empires
Demo Page
Age of Empires is the computer game that helped the real time strategy genre become popular. Covering thousands of years, players lead there civilization out of the stone age.
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7. Empire: Total War
Release Date: Mar 3, 2009
Genre: Real Time Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy
Theme: Historical
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Total War
Demo Page
In Empire Total War players command factions through the eighteenth century Age of Enlightenment as they attempt to conquer the globe. For the first time, players will be able to command real-time 3D naval sea battles with individual ships and large fleets of 18th century galleons.
Genre: Real Time Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy
Theme: Historical
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Total War
Demo Page
In Empire Total War players command factions through the eighteenth century Age of Enlightenment as they attempt to conquer the globe. For the first time, players will be able to command real-time 3D naval sea battles with individual ships and large fleets of 18th century galleons.
8. Star Wars: Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast
Release Date: Mar 28, 2002
Genre: Action First Person Shooter
Theme: Sci-Fi
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Star Wars
Demo Page
The Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast demo contains a level not found in the original retail version of the game. In the demo the main character, Kyle, has access to five different weapons, his lightsaber and a good range of Force powers including jump, push, heal and mind trick.
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Genre: Action First Person Shooter
Theme: Sci-Fi
Rating: T for Teen
Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
Series: Star Wars
Demo Page
The Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast demo contains a level not found in the original retail version of the game. In the demo the main character, Kyle, has access to five different weapons, his lightsaber and a good range of Force powers including jump, push, heal and mind trick.
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9. Max Payne
Release Date: Jul 25, 2001
Genre: Action Third Person Shooter
Theme: Crime
Rating: M for Mature
Game Modes: Single player
Series: Max Payne
Demo Page
Max Payne tells the story of a New York cop who is on a crusade for the revenge of the death of his family by a drug gang. The Max Payne demo lets you play a portion of the full version of the game from 3D Realms.
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Genre: Action Third Person Shooter
Theme: Crime
Rating: M for Mature
Game Modes: Single player
Series: Max Payne
Demo Page
Max Payne tells the story of a New York cop who is on a crusade for the revenge of the death of his family by a drug gang. The Max Payne demo lets you play a portion of the full version of the game from 3D Realms.
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10. Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Release Date: Jul 25, 2001
Genre: Action First Person Shooter
Theme: World War II
Rating: M for Mature
Game Modes: Single player
Series: Wolfenstein
Demo Page
Released way back in 2001, Return to Castle Wolfenstein graphics may not be up to snuf with the newer titles in this list but the exciting storyline, level design and gameplay are second to none. In it you'll play B.J. Blazkowicz, as he fights his way out of of Castle Wolfenstein and investigate the SS Paranormal Division.
Genre: Action First Person Shooter
Theme: World War II
Rating: M for Mature
Game Modes: Single player
Series: Wolfenstein
Demo Page
Released way back in 2001, Return to Castle Wolfenstein graphics may not be up to snuf with the newer titles in this list but the exciting storyline, level design and gameplay are second to none. In it you'll play B.J. Blazkowicz, as he fights his way out of of Castle Wolfenstein and investigate the SS Paranormal Division.
