Steam Next Fest is now underway and if you’re overwhelmed by the sheer number of game demos on offer, we don’t blame you. There are hundreds of demos to download and play. Some are taken from projects in very early development while others are from games that are almost ready to launch. After a few hours and dozens of demos, we have nailed down ten that you should try before the fest ends. These games are standouts for us and cover various genres too. Myself and Sam Aberdeen teamed up to put this list together so we could offer as much variety as possible.
The Spirit of The Samurai – Marco
This side-scroller is likely the most unique-looking demo I played on Steam Next Fest. The best way to describe the visuals is by comparing them to an old-school Diablo 2 CG cinematic but with an added stop-motion rhythm. But this isn’t a cinematic. In fact, the game includes this style across both its in-game visuals and cutscenes.
The developer, Digital Mind Games has put these excellent visuals alongside some intense side-scrolling hack-and-slash action to create a superb game. You’ll have to quickly dodge attacks, time your parries and slash enemies up to defend the village from mercenaries and Jorogumo. Find the demo here.
Project Mist – Sam
If we had to judge Steam Next Fest games with the most promising concepts, Project Mist would rank very highly. You play as a survivor stranded on a mysterious island that’s inhabited by all types of Lovecraftian monstrosities. Your objective, at least as far as the demo goes, is to survive on the open world map. There’s no hand-holding, no objectives – just survival.
For the most part, combat is light in the early sections of the demo and you rarely come across cosmic horrors, though it does an excellent job of immersing you in its atmosphere and promises of something much grander lurking over the horizon. With a bit more polishing, Project Mist could be a memorable survival horror experience clearly made by inspired and passionate developers. – Find the demo here.
Windblown – Marco
Windblown is the next game from Dead Cells developer Motion Twin and it doesn’t disappoint. The game’s fast-paced rogue-lite gameplay is true to the studio’s core and I couldn’t put the game down. The early access version of Windblown is expected to launch on 24 October but the Steam Next Fest demo does give players the first biome to explore. There are also a few weapons to try out.
Windblown is incredibly fast. You’ll dash around floating islands, dodge attacks and combine primary and secondary hits to perform cool-looking and rather devastating combos. I don’t often throw money at early access games but I will make an exception for Windblown. Find the demo here.
Spirit of the North 2 – Sam
Having played (and loved) the first Spirit of the North, the sequel was high up on my list of anticipated games from this year’s Steam Next Fest. Much like the first game, we play as a fox who must navigate a mysterious and magical world teeming with dangers. So far, the demo has made a strong first impression, bringing over what we loved about the original while boosting other areas.
The visuals, for example, are gorgeous with a notable improvement in visual fidelity and presentation. Solving puzzles, navigating dangerous environments and exploring a vast new world has me quite excited to hop into the full game once Spirit of the North 2 releases. Find the demo here.
Temtem: Swarm – Marco
Okay, I won’t lie here I have been absolutely hooked on Vampire Survivors on PS5. I didn’t think there was enough room in my life for another Bullet Heaven game until I played Temtem: Swarm. The combination of addictive bullet heaven gameplay and the Tems make for an enjoyable time.
You run around the map automatically fighting off other Tems. You’ll then level up your Tem, evolve them and unlock more attacks as you upgrade those and other perks. The maps are also interesting offering events to complete and other cool challenges. There are also multiple Tems to unlock and master. There’s a lot of potential here. Find the demo here.
VOIN – Sam
A first-person hack-and-slash game with a mean edge, VOIN is trying to recapture the feeling of bygone arena shooters like Quake or Doom, only with melee combat as its focus. Most of VOIN’s appeal is driven by its fast-paced gameplay which emphasises stringing together melee combos with blades, air-dashing and slicing up enemies in grizzly fashion.
The fluidity of the movement is also surprisingly top-notch and that’s one aspect that a game like VOIN absolutely needed to nail. It’s fun, chaotic and slightly rough around the edges. However, with a little more effort from developer Nikita Sozidar, there’s potential here for a unique and highly enjoyable action game. Find the demo here.
The Precint – Marco
I was surprised by The Precinct. This top-down, GTA China Town Wars-looking game put me in the shoes of a police member as I explored the town, fined people for parking in the wrong spot and participated in shootouts against nasty no-gooders. The game’s 1980s style also helps create this tech-less city that compliments the gameplay.
The Precinct also feels great to play. Cover-based combat felt good, chase scenes let me trigger backup in the form of spike strips on the road and helicopters overhead for added pressure. Even just walking about the streets during the day, the city came to life and I felt like a cop on duty. I highly recommend this. Find the demo here.
Seclusa – Sam
Being a photographer doesn’t sound like it would make for a very compelling video game experience but Seclusa has something going for it. You play as a photographer staying in East Africa who goes out to take pictures of the beautiful and serene wildlife. It’s a laid-back sandbox journey that showcases the beauty of nature without being preachy about it.
Most of all, it’s just very relaxing. Games can often put us in stressful positions when it comes to difficulty but Seclusa pumps the brakes and lets us just enjoy some cozy ambience and scenic views as we build our photography collection of Africa’s wildlife. Of course, this isn’t going to cater to every gamer but for those seeking a simple, charming and easy-going experience, look no further. Find the demo here.
SAND – Marco
What if Sea of Thieves was set in a sprawling desert and instead of ships, you explore the dunes in large Wild Wild West robots? That is exactly what SAND is. The game takes the plunder mechanic and sees players trek across the wasteland looking for gear and fighting off sand-dwellers. There’s a rich customization system available too where players can build new weapons and defences to keep them safe on their next trip.
The concept of SAND might not be new but so far, the demo shows it works brilliantly. Find the demo here.
While Waiting – Sam
While Waiting calls itself a game about “doing nothing” and that’s absolutely true. In one of the more quirky indie games from this year’s Steam Next Fest, While Waiting attempts to explore the mundanity of life by putting players in relatable situations where they’re forced to wait for something to happen.
At a bus stop, a busy elevator, an amusement park, a bank, and more, there’s no shortage of surprising ways people can simply do nothing while they wait. In the meantime, you’re asked to keep yourself busy with random activities. Interestingly, through this very obscure concept, the game actually has a lot to say about the human condition and our tolerance for boring situations. It’s worth keeping your eye out on this gem when it launches in 2025. Find the demo here.
