Steam Next Fests continue to captivate gamers, offering an exhilarating array of new titles to explore. With a plethora of demos available, it’s easy to feel both excited and overwhelmed. After a few days of sampling, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on the standout games that have captured players’ attention, shaping our wishlists for the future.
Top Demos from the Latest Steam Next Fest
The latest festival has revealed the top 50 most-played demos, showcasing a diverse range of genres that cater to various gaming preferences. From extraction shooters to racing managers, and even a skateboarding demon made of glass, the PC gaming landscape remains vibrantly eclectic.
Leading the charge is Half Sword, a physics-based medieval combat game that has maintained its popularity since its tech playtest began in May. Its unique premise of clumsy, yet engaging, combat has resonated with players, making it a notable frontrunner.
Following closely is Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, a prequel to the beloved turn-based strategy series. Despite facing a second delay, interest in the demo remains high, boasting a Mostly Positive rating from over 2,700 reviews.
In the third spot, Everwind combines elements of Minecraft’s sandbox creativity with the combat mechanics reminiscent of Skyrim, all while introducing customizable airships. This intriguing blend has caught the eye of many, including our own Chris Livingston, who deemed it worthy of attention.
Another notable entry is The Midnight Walkers, an FPS that immerses players in a zombie-infested world. It shares the spotlight with The Cube, Save Us, a melee-centric extraction game that poses the chilling question: “Will you face the cubes, or will you simply perish?”
Among the innovative concepts, Final Sentence stands out as a battle royale that tests players’ typing speed and accuracy, garnering positive feedback despite needing further refinement. Meanwhile, Yapyap delights players with its cooperative horror antics, featuring whimsical elements like shriek-based sorcery.
At number ten, Crashout Crew introduces a cooperative physics-based forklift party game, described as both “incredibly cruel” and “a great time” by our staff writer Harvey Randall. This blend of fun and challenge is exactly what players seek in multiplayer experiences.
Following closely is Misery, which plunges players into a Stalker-like wasteland filled with anomalies and hostile creatures, all while allowing them to engage in scavenging runs to enhance their bunker. The game’s unique setting and mechanics promise an engaging experience.
Interestingly, this Next Fest features not one, but two job simulators that explore the theme of “a convenience store, but with a twist.” Roadside Research places players in the shoes of aliens running a gas station as a front for their surveillance operations, while Hellmart challenges players to manage a convenience store catering to haunted customers by day and facing nightmarish horrors by night.
For those eager to discover more about the top 50 demos, including the adrenaline-pumping action of Road to Vostok, the Steam Next Fest page offers a comprehensive look at the most popular titles. As the gaming community continues to explore these innovative creations, the future of PC gaming looks promising and diverse.
