For years, PC gamers have hoped to one day be able to explore Hyrule without going through emulation. Nintendo, faithful to its principles, jealously guards its licenses, making any port of Zelda on other platforms impossible. However, some teams of developers are taking up the challenge: capturing the essence of a modern Zelda, while injecting their own vision. This is exactly what we offer Cloudheiman independent game whose demo is available for free on Steam.
Cloudheim, a magical world between adventure, commerce and chaos
Visually inspired by Breath of the Wild, Cloudheim immerses players in a bright and colorful universe, supported by an assured artistic direction. The game combines exploration, cooperative fighting, dungeons to clear, and… management of a traveling business. An original concept that does not lack ambition.
In Cloudheim, the player plays one of the 15 playable characterseach with their own skills. Alone or in multiplayer, the objective is to repel a mysterious corruption by fighting hordes of enemies. All in a dynamic environment, where spells and explosions have a real physical impact: the ground cracks, the walls fall, and the decor reacts to each blow.
But beyond the combat, the game offers a system of store management. And not just any one: it is installed on the back of a ancestral giant tortoisewhich tasks you with saving the world through trade. The player can craft their own weapons and armor, or sell them to a gallery of colorful characters.
An accessible and well-designed experience for multiplayer
Cloudheim doesn’t rely solely on its visuals or its atmosphere. The game was designed to be playable solo or in co-opwith an accessible approach, halfway between casual hack-and-slash and fun management game. The universe seems calibrated to appeal to a wide audience, fans of Zelda for lovers of cozy games or exploration.
The demo currently available on Steam already allows you to explore a portion of the world, test the first mechanics and familiarize yourself with the combat and crafting systems. If you’re interested in open-world adventures, wacky physics mechanics, or simply curious to see what Zelda could give on PC, it’s a nice surprise to discover.
Release planned for December: why you should keep an eye on it
The full version of Cloudheim is expected on December 4, 2025. In the meantime, the free demo remains accessible on Steam, without restriction. It offers a generous taste of the final content, and has already aroused the enthusiasm of many players, seduced by its balance between rhythmic action and relaxed management.
With its polished visuals, cooperative system, turtle shop and Nintendo-inspired DNA, Cloudheim ticks all the boxes for a successful indie game. And for those who can’t wait any longer for one Zelda-like playable on PC, it’s probably the best free alternative to try right now.