Order of the Sinking Star Demo Update: New Content & Fixes

Order of the Sinking Star demo update delivers fresh heroes, over 100 puzzles, and performance fixes that matter for Steam Deck players. Discover what changed and how to access the beta branch today.

What Jonathan Blow's Part 2 Update Actually Added

The Order of the Sinking Star demo update labeled as Demo Part 2 introduced substantial content that expands the puzzle count from 75 to over 100 puzzles. This content drop added two playable characters and new zones where the story hints at colliding worlds. Players who enjoyed the initial build will find the additional layers meaningful because the design team focused on mechanical depth rather than filler. According to the official Steam news shared during June Next Fest, the expansion also brought fresh lore snippets that contextualize the cosmic threat approaching the sinking star setting. The update arrived as a thank you to the community after the demo cracked the top five most played single-player demos of that event.

The Bard and The Druid Abilities

The Bard charms other units and manipulates crystals while performing music, creating rhythmic puzzle solutions that were impossible before. The Druid accidentally transmutes friends and objects in his path, which can be both a hazard and a tool for creative players. These heroes represent the order of the sinking star demo new heroes that community members tested during the extended Next Fest period. Their movement mechanics differ from earlier cast, so reviewing the new heroes demo overview helps you plan crystal routes. Each character interacts with the environment in ways that reward experimentation, and many late puzzles require their unique skills to reveal hidden paths.

Puzzle Count Growth to Over 100

The jump from 75 to over 100 puzzles marks the most obvious metric of the order of the sinking star demo 100 puzzles milestone. The extra challenges include hidden rooms and optional objectives that extend replay value for completionists. Below is a comparison of the pre-update and post-update demo structure that illustrates the scope change brought by the order of the sinking star demo part 2 rollout.

This table demonstrates how the order of the sinking star demo part 2 expanded scope without compromising the core logic puzzles. The added zones are accessible from the hub after completing the first act, and they introduce environmental hazards that the original pair of heroes cannot bypass alone. Players reported that the new puzzle types feel distinct rather than reskinned, which aligns with the developer's stated goal of showcasing mechanical variety before the full launch on October 8, 2026.

Post-Update Secrets Buried in the New Areas

Many fans search for the order of the sinking star demo secrets that lie beyond the main path. The recent content drop sprinkled hidden puzzles in corners of the new areas, often requiring the Bard's charm or the Druid's transmutation to reveal. Player reports on community forums indicate that some crystals only appear when music plays near a specific wall, a classic order of the sinking star demo hidden puzzles interaction. Exploring thoroughly is rewarded because completionists need every tile to reach full clear, and the demo tracks a separate secret counter that does not show in the standard percentage.

Locating Secret Crystals

Secret crystals often sit behind illusory barriers that break when a hero uses a specific ability. For example, the Druid can morph a blocking object into a staircase, exposing a cache that contains bonus gems. Community data suggests at least five such caches exist in the expanded demo, and they are distributed across the three new zones rather than clustered in one place. Mapping these efficiently requires switching characters at key junctions because the Bard's song radius is limited to a small grid.

Community Reported Easter Eggs

Beyond puzzles, players discovered lore tablets that reference the full game's antagonistic force. These world secrets are optional but enrich the narrative for those tracking the demo completion path. One reported easter egg involves a collision rift at the end of the third new area that plays a short teaser cutscene when both new heroes stand on adjacent pads. Such findings confirm that the order of the sinking star demo secrets are woven into the level geometry rather than tacked on as pop-up text.

This table shows the variety of hidden puzzles available in the updated demo. The order of the sinking star demo secrets encourage alternate hero usage, making the new characters essential for full exploration. Players who ignore these will finish the main line at roughly 80 percent completion, leaving the final stretch of achievements locked until they return with the right abilities.

Clearing All 105 Puzzles After the Part 2 Update

Achieving order of the sinking star demo completion requires solving every available challenge, including the post-update additions. The order of the sinking star demo 100 puzzles threshold is now the baseline for a perfect demo run. According to the Steam store page, progress made in the demo carries over to the full release scheduled for October 8, 2026, so effort invested now is not wasted. The completion guide breaks down efficient routing for players aiming to clear all tiles before the full launch. Because saves transfer, the time you spend mastering the Bard's rhythm puzzles directly benefits your full game starting state.

Tracking Your Completion Rate

The demo interface shows a percentage that updates as you finish zones. Reaching 100 puzzles solved means you have likely found most hidden puzzles as well. Players should revisit earlier hubs after gaining the Bard and Druid because some original rooms have new interaction points that were previously inert. Community testers noted that the completion screen only celebrates the milestone after all secret crystals are collected, so the visible number can lag behind actual progress until a zone reset.

Save Data Carry Over Details

The official store listing confirms that demo saves transfer to the full game on October 8, 2026. This means your demo completion status will reflect in the launch version, granting any unlockable cosmetics tied to puzzle counts. The carry-over is automatic and does not require manual export, which reduces friction for players who sampled the demo on Steam Deck and plan to continue on PC. The table below outlines the milestone benefits that persist.

Planning with this table helps prioritize the order of the sinking star demo 100 puzzles goal. The carry-over system rewards early investment, and the developer stated that no progress will be wiped during the transition to the full release. For players chasing the order of the sinking star demo completion badge, the extended demo window means there is ample time to map every cache before October.

Technical Fixes in the Order of the Sinking Star Demo Update Beta Branch

Alongside content, the Order of the Sinking Star demo update shipped a technical beta branch aimed at performance. As noted on the Order of the Sinking Star Demo on Steam, the build adds optimizations for lower-end devices and a new Very Performance graphics preset. This is vital for Steam Deck owners who reported frame drops in the original demo during dense puzzle scenes. The public-testing branch is open without password, letting anyone opt in via game properties, and it runs parallel to the standard demo so you can compare both versions on the same hardware.

How to Access Public Testing

To join, right-click the game in Steam, open Properties, navigate to Game Versions & Betas, and select public-testing. No code is required. This delivers the frame rate improvements immediately, and you can revert to the default branch at any time without losing saved data. The beta is especially useful for players on integrated graphics because the new preset lowers background detail while keeping puzzle elements readable. Community feedback indicates the opt-in process takes less than a minute.

Frame Rate Improvements Measured

Community reports indicate 60fps on most levels on Steam Deck after the patch. The table below compares settings observed by players during the beta trial period. The original demo often dipped below 30 on handheld, but the Very Performance mode stabilizes animation during crystal transmutation sequences that previously caused stutter.

The order of the sinking star demo update thus benefits both content seekers and performance focused players. The beta is separate from the main demo, so you can switch back anytime if you prefer higher fidelity over frame rate. Developers confirmed that the optimization pass will eventually merge into the primary build after further testing, meaning the improvements are not exclusive to beta participants long term.

Why the Order of the Sinking Star Demo Update Matters for New Players

Newcomers who missed June Next Fest can still download the demo because the window was extended twice, first to June 22 then June 26 at 10am PT, and it remains available with full controller support. The order of the sinking star demo update essentially doubles the value of trying the game before the October full release. For pacing insights, the demo time to beat analysis estimates clear times across skill levels and shows how the new heroes affect completion speed. The extended availability means latecomers get the same enriched build that wowed festival players.

Starting Tips for Demo Part 2

Begin with the original heroes to learn base mechanics, then switch to The Bard for charm-based puzzles. Use the Druid cautiously because his transmutation can accidentally block paths if you move carelessly. The order of the sinking star demo part 2 content assumes familiarity with push and pull concepts, so reviewing the tutorial echoes in the hub will save time. Players who rush into the new zones without the Bard often stall at music-gated crystals.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Players noted in reviews that dialogue during puzzles felt immersion-breaking, so skip optional story pop-ups if you prefer flow. Also, don't ignore hidden puzzles since they count toward the 100 puzzle total. The table below contrasts productive habits with errors that lengthen a run.

This guidance ensures the order of the sinking star demo part 2 experience is smooth. The update overall enriches onboarding by giving newcomers more content to sample without overwhelming them, and the controller support makes it approachable on living room setups. Which new hero are you most excited to try in the Order of the Sinking Star demo update? Share your plans with the community on Steam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Order of the Sinking Star demo update?

The Order of the Sinking Star demo update adds two heroes, The Bard and Druid, raises puzzles to over 100, and introduces new areas with lore. A separate beta branch delivers performance fixes including a Very Performance graphics setting for Steam Deck. This content is free for existing demo users and expands the base experience significantly.

How do I access the beta branch for the demo?

Open Steam Properties for the game, choose Game Versions & Betas, and select public-testing with no password. This beta contains optimizations that achieve 60fps on most Steam Deck levels according to community reports. You can switch back to the standard branch anytime without losing saved progress from the main demo.

Does demo progress carry over to the full game?

Yes, the official store page confirms saves transfer to the full release on October 8, 2026. Your demo completion percentage and unlocked bonuses remain intact, so solving all order of the sinking star demo 100 puzzles now pays off later. The carry-over is automatic and requires no manual export from the player side.

Are there hidden puzzles in the demo update?

Absolutely, the order of the sinking star demo hidden puzzles include secret crystal caches triggered by Bard music or Druid transmutation. Community players have mapped at least five caches that contribute to full order of the sinking star demo secrets discovery. These optional challenges are required for the true completion badge in the demo.

What are the new heroes in the demo?

The order of the sinking star demo new heroes are The Bard, who charms and moves crystals with music, and The Druid, who accidentally transmutes objects. Both expand puzzle solutions and are detailed in the new heroes demo overview. They were added in the Demo Part 2 content drop during the extended Next Fest period.