Read our reviews of various demos released during the event.
June 2026
Five focus game demos to make your summer more productive
If you’re like me, you have a list of projects that seems to just be getting longer. Though I’m juggling grad school applications, chores, and half a dozen writing projects, when I sit down to work, it’s often hard to find the incentive to start. By the grace of the gaming gods, Steam Next Fest…
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The Kaido Genkai Demo is Wheely Fun!
Kurokage–Black Shadow–is dead. A local hero, streetracer extraordinaire, and, as it happens, your mentor, died in a car crash. The cause? A fault in their car’s brake lines. And you were the last one to tune up their ride. Was it carelessness? Were you framed? Who knows? What matters in Karoshi Electric Company’s flagship racing…
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Experience coziness and simplicity in Milki Delivery’s demo
In a world of stress and drama, sometimes a short, cozy video game is exactly what you need to settle down. Published by Wholesome Games, Milki Delivery is an upcoming game by three developers: Doot, Blibloop, and Zakku. This point-and-click game is all about delivering milk to your neighbors in a quiet pastureland. It is…
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The Long Wake: What Remains Observed Demo Has a Long Way to Go…
Your hometown has changed. Sure, the old movie theater’s still there… and the stuffy Ministry… and City Hall. The people that lived there, though? Gone. The freaky tentacle monsters? Those are new. Developer and publisher Spaceboy’s The Long Wake: What Remains Observed demo is a stylish psychological horror game set in snowy, rural Europe! Inspired…
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Welcome to Elderfield is Night Vale meets Stardew Valley in this cozy horror demo
A town in the middle of the woods. A cozy farm. The incomprehensible horrors of the Old Gods. Welcome to Elderfield. Developed by Chris Cote and published by Kwalee, this cozy horror RPG/farming sim is like if you took the corpses of Welcome to Night Vale and Stardew Valley, performed a viscerally unpleasant ritual, then…
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The Isolation Project Demo Needs Some Maintenance
In the distant future, a girl named Eleanor leaves Earth on a voyage into deep space. Three cycles later, the crew has vanished… leaving Eleanor to tend to the ship all on her own. This phenomenon? THE ISOLATION PROJECT!!! Okay, you got me–that’s not where the name comes from. I think. Developed by solo dev…
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Mix real music in OFFBEAT’s demo
Once upon a time, I took a stab at audio production. Very quickly, I realized something crucial that defined my identity for the rest of my days: I suck at audio production. Sound design and music have always fascinated me, but when it comes to mixing even simple tracks, I am overwhelmed. Now, OFFBEAT offers…
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The Buried Below Demo is BURY Promising!
What can go wrong on a camping trip? Quite a bit, according to Aura Studios’ newest adventure horror game Buried Below. We’re not just talking burned hot dogs or a ripped tent either! Something wicked lurks deep within the wilderness… and like most terrifying secrets, they don’t stay buried forever. Buried Below’s demo isn’t very…
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February 2026
The Ardenfall Demo is ArdenFULL of Surprises
You’d think with how popular Bethesda Softworks’ Elder Scrolls series is, there’d be more of an effort to replicate it. The good parts, mind, not the obligatory laundry list of release-day bugs. It’s no small feat crafting an immersive open world filled to the brim with dungeons and danger… but Spellcast Studios’ Ardenfall seems eager…
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The Echo Generation 2 Demo Deals Out Delight!
I… have a confession to make. What? No, not THAT kind of confession! Siddown! And keep those grubby mitts to yourself, pal! As I write this review, I have never played Echo Generation 1. If it’s anywhere as radical as this demo is, though, I might have to pick it up. Cococucumber’s Echo Generation 2…
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The MOLE Demo is MOLE Than You Bargained For!
The White Rabbit Signal: a mysterious smorgasbord of messages broadcast from deep below the Earth’s surface. Dead relatives, old friends, familiar voices… all of them imploring the listeners to perform the same task: DIG. Off Black Creations’ and Oro Interactive’s MOLE is a puzzle horror game that puts you in the nearsighted shoes of Viktor…
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Moto Rush Reborn: A Sleek, Thrilling Addiction
If there’s one thing I love more than breaking every traffic law in existence, it’s playing a game about breaking every traffic law in existence. Moto Rush Reborn is a neck-breaking 3D runner from Baltoro Games that sends you racing on a bullet-fast motorcycle through retro-futuristic Tokyo. A motorcycle that, by the way, is possessed…
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Does GRIDBEAT!’s demo keep its rhythm?
Dungeon crawler meets rhythm in GRIDbeat!, an upcoming game from developer Ridiculous Games and publisher Acclaim, Inc. GRIDbeat! puts you into the world of hacking, if hacking was a rhythm-based dungeon crawler with puzzles and turret systems. A mysterious client hires you to break into a big bad corporation’s system, one that really, really doesn’t…
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Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts Makes Silly Art With Lots of Love
You know that brand of medieval art where everyone’s faces look the same, animals are super wonky, and it looks like the third dimension hasn’t been invented yet? That’s exactly the kind of art you get to bring to life when you step in to the Middle Ages in Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts, a medieval…
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The Devilry Reservation 2 Demo: A Hilarious Mystery with Post-Soviet Vibes
The Devilry Reservation 2 demo was a hilarious delight to play. GentFish has introduced a sequel to their original The Devilry Reservation. This is a pixel-graphic game where, through the lens of dark fantasy with undertones of Slavic folklore, you find and contain anomalies. This demo included the first episode titled “The Whisper of the…
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The Manny’s 2 Demo Leaves You Hungry For More!
August 1945. Somewhere in the Pacific… A skeleton crew of Japanese Imperial Navy Soldiers guard what might be the smallest island in the sea. The sun is harsh, food is scarce, and there’s nothing but open ocean as far as the eye can see. To make matters worse, the captain wants the island guarded day…
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October 2025
Olga – Episode 1 Promises a Cozy, Intriguing Adventure
Step into a cozy autumn world full of beauty, charm, and the magic of childhood with Olga – Episode 1, a quiet and atmospheric first-person narrative adventure by Workbench Entertainment. As you delve into Olga’s memories about the time she spent in her grandparents’ isolated mountain village of Belovodica, you’ll discover breathtaking views, curious townsfolk,…
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Wolf with Inn Demo Brings a Cozy Fantasy to Life
Diner Dash meets Stardew Valley in Thundertale Studio’s Wolf with Inn, a cozy tavern simulator full of fantasy, charm, and an enchanting, fairy tale atmosphere. Players take hold of Fen, a newly turned werewolf who wakes up in a run-down tavern with no memory of how he got there (we’ve all been there, right?). As…
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Gimme Mo’ Of The Gimmiko Demo!
An Indie Game is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get! Unless they have a diagram on the back… or the label gives it away. Forrest Gump might not know much about chocolates OR video games for that matter, but I think he’d appreciate my attempt. It’s a great time…
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Nighthawks Releases a Blood-Sucking Good Demo
Do you yearn for the chance to live the life of a bloodsucker? Disappointed with a certain vamp-themed legacy sequel? Look no further than Nighthawks-Night One, developed by The Curiosity Engine and published by Wadjeteye Games. Nighthawks places you in the shoes of a young vampire, sent to the city of Cradlebridge to search for…
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You’ll Want To Unearth The Secrets Of Suburbia Demo!
Ah, the 90’s: flannel shirts, Tamagotchis, Hanson, and dial-up internet. As a 90’s spawn myself, my memories of the decade are mixed, to say the least. Like the generations before me, however, I too must accept that I’m officially old enough to be considered retro. Okay, I’m back from a quick crying sesh! The 90’s…
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How Deep Does the Shovel Game Demo Go?
I have a confession to make. Trudging aimlessly across the sprawling desert of AAA titles and their crisp, borderline photorealistic graphics, a bizarre Indie Game with equally unnerving graphics is, to me, like coming across a vast oasis in a sea of tepidity. There’s a special spot nestled within the dark recesses of my cold,…
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Bonfire Simulator Demo Has Yet to Ignite
It’s not truly Autumn until you have your first bonfire. That’s as good a reason as any to pick up BonfireSimulator, a cozy, points-driven simulator from EhanCreative Inc. that lets players build and maintain fires across a variety of settings. The latest demo released as part of Steam Next Fest: October 2025, and as someone…
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What Lies Beyond the Doors?
Ahh, Indie Games… where the mundane becomes miraculous. It’s truly impressive how the right game can make menial labor compelling and rote tasks remarkable. While the average gamer might not leap at certain tasks in real life, simulations are a different story. Whether it’s washing dishes or piecing together a car, indie developers are clamoring…
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June 2025
Dispatch Demo – Carve Your Own Superhero Redemption Sitcom
When the Dispatch trailer first debuted at the Game Awards last year, I thought a new superhero animated series was in the works. My excitement multiplied when I read AdHoc Studio’s name and realized Dispatch is going to be an interactive narrative. A first look at the game was made available as a 30 minute…
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FEROCIOUS Demo is Far Cry meets Jurassic Park on Skull Island
Summer is my favorite time of the year because it marks the start of monster season for the entertainment industry. I’m always looking forward to seeing franchises like Jurassic Park release its blockbusters in these middle months. However, what excites me more than a dinosaur movie is a dinosaur game. I’ve been on the prowl…
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Abyssal Blade: Hack-N-Slash Through Grief
When it comes to gaming, I sometimes think of myself as a corvid. I see a game with new and shiny graphics, and I immediately need to pick it up. Conversely, if a game doesn’t have the ‘shiny polish’, I may very well miss out on it despite its quality. I’m not proud of this,…
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AM Demo Has You Keep the Faith and Keep Driving
AM by BrocBois takes the concept of a midnight drive into a fight for survival against demonic forces. Something evil hunts you on the dark American roads, and your car is both your sanctuary and a trap, as faith becomes as crucial as fuel. With gas stations serving as checkpoints, charging stations for your flashlight,…
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Undusted: Letters from the Past is a Heartfelt Exploration of the Past
There’s no telling what you’ll find when you go searching through childhood memories. You might laugh or cry. You might even cringe. No matter what, though, there’s going to be nostalgia. Undusted: Letters from the Past captures that feeling perfectly. Developed by 5minlab Corp. and published by Toge Productions, Undusted is a casual game about…
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City Garden Harvest Demo – A Promising Seed Needs Extra Care
This year I started a personal produce garden after feeling the burden of rising grocery prices. I figured growing some simple vegetables at home was a worthy investment and realistic enough to commit to. Starting was tough, but after 6 months I’m proud to have saved a few trips to the grocery store. I’m not…
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No, I’m Not a Human Demo is a Promising Descent into Distrust
No, I’m not a Human transforms paranoia into gameplay with a deceptively simple premise: determine who’s human and who isn’t before it’s too late. Originally developed by Trioskaz and now published by Critical Reflex—the horror powerhouse behind Buckshot Roulette and Mouthwashing—this atmospheric nightmare drops you into a world where the sun’s deadly heat forces desperate…
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SSR Wives: The Murder of My Winter Crush KILLS It!
It’s a rare, rare thing when a game evokes the same uncanny feeling I felt marathoning Silent Hill as a kid. Even rarer when my chosen protagonist is a, quote, ‘Puppy Girl’. SSR Wives: The Murder of My Winter Crush might appear tongue-in-cheek, but after playing the demo it’s clear the developers are bringing their…
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February 2025
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s Demo Sets Sail
SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio bring back the Yakuza action with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii! Fans of the Like a Dragon series, formerly Yakuza outside of Japan, will be thrilled with this over-the-top Pirate twist on…
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The Wacky West Demo Beats All the Phone Ads
Wacky West delivers the action-packed experience you’ve always imagined from those endless runner mobile ads—except this time, it’s real! Dive into a fast-paced, post-apocalyptic world from debuting developer OnlyStuff. You’ll fight off mutants, create insane combo builds, craft powerful weapons,…
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The Neon Runner Demo Is A Sweet Treat
Neon Runner is a high-speed runner game that challenges your reflexes and precision as you race to complete levels and set record-breaking high scores. The first game from iRL Games debuting for Steam Next Fest, Neon Runner’s demo offers a…
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Tales of Seikyu Demo Brings the Yokai Fantasy
Welcome to your enchanting new life in a magical world of wonder and adventure! Tales of Seikyu by ACE Entertainment and Fireshine Games brings Japanese mythology to the farm sim genre this Steam Next Fest with an amazing demo. Seikyu,…
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Zombies Overloaded Demo Is Simple, Violent Fun
Zombies Overloaded is an upcoming horde survival game by Vinterm Games. With a pleasing graphic novel-esque art style, a lemony announcer celebrating your undead killing spree, and a Duke Nukem-esque grizzled protagonist, the game hits several marks for being a…
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Dare to Lucid Dream’s Demo Sparks Interest
Let’s take a look at the whimsical demo for Dare to Lucid Dream, a visual novel by Ghost Penguin debuting for Steam’s Next Fest. This casual drama promises a fantastical story with multiple endings depending on your choices and LGBTQ+…
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Anoxia Station’s Demo is Darkly Gripping
Let’s take a look at the thrilling demo for Anoxia Station by Yakove Butuzoff and Abylight Studios! Debuting for Steam Next Fest, Anoxia Station is a strategy colony sim set in a horrifying post-apocalyptic world. Survival depends on finding fossil…
October 2024
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Review: Rock Digger Has a Demo You Can Dig
Rock Digger is the debut game from indie developer Rockin’ Games. Start as a humble rock and evolve into an unstoppable mining golem! We checked out the demo from Steam Next Fest, and here’s what we found. Rock’n’Roll After crash-landing…
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Review: Royal Revolt Warriors is a Jaw-Dropping Experience
Never before has a demo felt like a fully released game already. Dive into the electrifying world of Royal Revolt Warriors, an exhilarating co-op experience for 1 to 4 players where survival and action-roguelite gameplay come together. Prepare to face…
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Review: TOTAL RELOAD Might Need a Total Reload
Have you ever gotten the urge to step back into the Portal universe, just to play with the puzzles? Well, we can get you halfway there with TOTAL RELOAD, from the two-person team TORSHOCK. This is their first release, coming…
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Review: Slime Heroes’ Demo Gets a 10/10
You don’t even need to die to reincarnate as a slime this time. Slime Heroes is another gem of a game from Whitethorn Games, developed by Pancake Games. Step into the shoes of the last slime, tasked with saving your…
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Review: Lynked: Banner of the Spark is Ready for Combat
It takes a village to save the world, and you’ll need all the help you can get in Lynked: Banner of the Spark. Lynked is an action roguelike developed by FuzzyBot and published by Dreamhaven, where you join the robot…
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Review: Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders’ Demo Wins Gold
The creators of Lonely Mountains: Downhill, Megagon Industries, have released the demo for their highly anticipated sequel, Snow Riders. This sports game invites players to test their skiing skills in stunning mountain landscapes. You can perform tricks, uncover shortcuts, and…
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Review: SOPA – Tale of the Stolen Potato is a Delight
SOPA – Tale of the Stolen Potato is a delightful new game from StudioBando that invites players into a magical world through the eyes of Miho. When Miho steps into the pantry to fetch a potato for his grandmother’s soup,…
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Review: The Legend of Perchta’s Demo Defense
The Legend of Perchta is an engaging first-person shooter tower defense infused with roguelite elements, developed by the independent Austrian studio Sleepy Creepy Studio. In this game, players choose their hero to defend their castle against relentless hordes of enemies.…
