Steam Next Fest Archives

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

Attention former 2000s youths: A second Beyblade-inspired roguelike has hit Steam Next Fest

From the Top is a roguelike game that appeals to millennials nostalgic for Beyblade battles. Slayblade, a new top-battling roguelike, has been released with a demo at this month’s Next Fest, featuring vibrant Y2K nostalgia, a Toonami-inspired soundtrack, and pixelated graphics. The game's design includes pseudo-Beyblades with a chunky plastic aesthetic and playful elements. The demo is available on Steam, targeting both nostalgic millennials and new gamers.

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

I ran 45 idle game demos from Steam Next Fest all at once for a desktop companion battle royale

Steam Next Fest features nearly 500 idler games, offering a wide selection of demos. The author downloaded 45 demos simultaneously to quickly assess their interest. The festival runs until June 22.

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

Even more games on Steam are using AI: there are over 8,600 demos in this week’s Next Fest event, and nearly 1,700 use AI

The second installment of Steam Next Fest for 2026 is running until June 22 and features a total of 8,682 demos, nearly double the entire library of PlayStation 2 games. Approximately 1,700 of these demos incorporate AI technology, leading to concerns about the quality of some titles, often labeled as "shovelware." Various digital storefronts are struggling to maintain quality amidst the influx of AI-generated content, with Sony recently removing a publisher known for low-quality releases. The reaction to AI in game development has been mixed, with backlash against certain titles. Additionally, early Geekbench results for Valve's upcoming Steam Machine suggest a potential launch next week.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

It would take you 90 straight days to play each of Steam Next Fest’s demos for just 30 minutes

Steam Next Fest has begun, featuring 4,347 game demos available for a week. This number is expected to increase during the event. If a player spends half an hour on each demo, it would take about three months to experience them all. Notable titles include Empulse, an FPS with wall-running and mech-dropping mechanics, and Omen, an isometric spaceship extraction shooter.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

This week in PC games: a trio of surreal shooters, a big Stellaris expansion, and a new RPG from Octopath Traveller devs

This week features the Steam Next Fest, showcasing numerous game demos and playtests. Notable new game releases include: - Stellaris: Nomads: Introduces migrant civilizations with planet-scale spaceships in a 4X strategy game. - Day Trade Coach: A stock market trading simulator with a live news feed and professional trading terminal interface. - Mole: Players pilot a drill guided by whispers from the deceased in a whimsical setting. - Alaric: A "boomer shooter" with metroidvania design elements. - Copa City: A football management game set in 2026, focusing on the chaos of fan influx. - GoblinAmerica: An early access FPS where players embody US presidents to restore order and rewrite history. - The Last Salvage Squad: Features anime robots battling UFOs. - A four-dimensional chess game concept. Additional noteworthy titles include: - R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos: A remastered collection of turn-based PSP R-Type games. - The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales: An action-RPG with "2D-HD" graphics by veterans of Octopath Traveller. - Mech Spa: A nurturing game focused on mechs. - Mythic Love: Iberian Legends: An otome visual novel exploring Iberian folklore. - The Quiet Things: An autobiographical narrative addressing childhood trauma. - Moon River: A short RPG where players navigate a river revealed by moonlight, marking its full release. The Treehouse team is engaged in various activities, including urban adventures, exploring fungal brains, and artistic projects.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Over the Hill’s Next Fest demo promises a stylized off-roading game for people who actually like to drive

Funselektor's game, Over the Hill, offers a contemplative off-roading experience, differing from its previous titles, Art of Rally and Absolute Drift, which focused on speed and a top-down perspective. The game features a stylized world that emphasizes exploration over speed, allowing players to strategize their routes in a tranquil environment. The demo, available during the Steam Next Fest until June 22, showcases this approach, with an option to accelerate that may lead to unexpected tumbles. A specific release date for the full game has not been announced, but it is anticipated to launch later this year.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

5 cozy game demos I’m downloading right now after I counted a whole 37 dropping during Summer Game Fest weekend

Cozy games are gaining popularity in the gaming industry, highlighted by the recent Wholesome Games Showcase, which featured 37 new cozy game demos. One notable title is Toem 2, a sequel to the original game that involves players using a camera to complete a stamp rally.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Roundup: All The Biggest Xbox Reveals From The PC Gaming Show 2026

The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 and the PC Gaming Show 2026 featured several announcements, including: - A remaster of Thief: The Dark Project by Nightdive Studios, set to release in Winter 2026. - Empulse, inspired by Titanfall, with early access on June 24, 2026. - A trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide highlighting the Skitarii class, with a playtest sign-up available on Steam. - An exclusive trailer for Control Resonant, available for wishlist on Steam, with a demo ahead of its release on September 24, 2026. - Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions launching in early access on June 11, 2026. - Cassette Beasts 2002, an open-world RPG where players can collect and fuse monsters. - Planet Zoo 2 gameplay reveal trailer scheduled for October 13, 2026. - Arkheron, an isometric battle royale, with a developer interview emphasizing teamwork. - Rivage, a sci-fi puzzle game releasing on August 13, 2026, with a demo available. - El Paso, Elsewhere 2, a third-person shooter with over 20 handcrafted levels. - Beast of Reincarnation, launching on August 4, 2026, from Game Freak. - Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent, available now, transitioning from board game to PC. - Armatus, a roguelite shooter set in a burning Paris, with a release window in Winter 2026. - Dave The Diver: In The Jungle DLC launching on June 18, 2026. - Total War: Warhammer 40,000, promising a grand strategy experience. - Valheim 1.0 launching on September 9, 2026. - Highlights of Exodus showcasing combat and exploration features. - Remothered: Red Nun's Legacy, the latest installment in the horror series, with a gameplay trailer.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Every game, trailer, and announcement in the PC Gaming Show 2026

The PC Gaming Show 2026 featured over 60 games, including more than 20 world premieres. Notable titles include: - Wielders of the Essence: Available now on Steam. - Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - Skitarii Class: Debuts on June 23; wishlist available on Steam. - Spellsided: Demo available on Steam. - Serious Sam: Shatterverse: Playtest sign-up available on Steam. - Control Resonant: Releases on September 24; pre-orders available on Steam. - There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: Demo available; wishlist on Steam. - Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions: Early access launches on June 11; demo available on Steam. - Happy Bastards: Combat demo available on Steam. - AfterQuest: Wishlist available on Steam. - SlashZero: Wishlist and playtest sign-up available on Steam. - Void/Breaker: Significant update available on Steam. - Wind Runners: Demo available on Steam. - Planet Zoo 2: Pre-orders open on Steam. - Empulse: Early access launches on June 24; explore during Steam Next Fest on June 15. - Arkheron: Playtest sign-up available on the game's website. - ReVamp: Playtest sign-up available on Discord. - Wardogs: Wishlist and playtest sign-up available via trailer's QR code. - Shroom and Gloom: Demo available. - Rivage: Demo available. - Mr Magpie’s Harmless Card Game: Wishlist available on Steam. - Ascenders: Beyond the Peak: Demo available on Steam. - Outward 2: Beta currently accessible. - Exo Rally Championship: Available on Steam. - Beast of Reincarnation: Launches on August 3; pre-orders available on Steam. - Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent: Shadow dropped; available now. - To Kill a God: Demo available. - Armatus: Wishlist available. - Dave the Diver In the Jungle DLC: Wishlist available on Steam. - Total War: Warhammer 40,000: Beta opportunities forthcoming; wishlist on Steam. - About Fishing: Demo available on Steam. - Vampire the Masquerade: Eternal Whispers: Details not specified. - Valheim 1.0: Launches on September 9, 2026; new update features. - P.O.N: Wishlist available on Steam. - Locator: The Search for Abigail Lidari: Wishlist available on Steam. - Exodus: Wishlist available on Steam. - Remothered: Red Nun's Legacy: Wishlist available on Steam.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Empulse’s frantic movement and giant mechs are giving me serious Xbox 360-era FPS nostalgia

Empulse is a first-person shooter game developed by 1047 Games, set to launch on Steam's Early Access on June 24. The game will be available for free during Steam Next Fest, starting June 15. The gameplay features wall-running and intense gunplay, aiming to evoke nostalgia for classic Xbox 360 shooters. The trailer includes a moment where a character uses a sledgehammer against a mech, highlighting the game's playful elements.