Must-try Steam Next Fest demos vanishing soon:
Hop on the Steam Next Fest Train 🚂
Prepare for a week-long extravaganza on the PC gaming platform! Steam Next Fest is one of the most eagerly anticipated events, held three times a year, where you can get a first-hand experience of exclusive demos for upcoming indie games. But remember, these demos are only available during the event, so you gotta hustle to test them out before they vanish! Every year, the roster expands, making it almost impossible to play them all. We've been testing out the demos since the event began to bring you a select few must-try games before the week's over.
When's Steam Next Fest?
Steam Next Fest started on June 9 and lasts a week, wrapping up on June 16 at 10 am PT. That's seven action-packed days to play as many demos as you can handle!
If you miss this round, don't sweat it! Mark your calendars for the next one, scheduled for the week of October 13 through 20. But rest assured, it'll feature an entirely new lineup of demos.
Indie Games to Watch Out For
Baby Steps
We can't stop singing the praises of this game. It's the truest "walking simulator" there is! In Baby Steps, each step is a struggle as you need to carefully position and place each foot to move forward while maintaining balance. It's challenging, frustrating, but somehow, it's incredibly fun! The characters and story also manage to evoke some genuine laughs along the way.
Ratatan
Melody lovers, unite! This rhythm game pays homage to the beloved Patapon series. Ratatan combines rhythm game gameplay with side-scrolling action combat, expanding the gameplay with some light RPG elements and 4-player co-op. The taste of its visual style and killer music will have you hungering for the full release!
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
The retro 2D revival is in full force, and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a perfect example! This fast, flashy, and brutal side-scroller has us more excited than we are for Ninja Gaiden 4. Even if you weren't a fan of 2D classics, the level of polish on display with this ninja adventure will win you over!
Eat the Rich
These trying times call for release, and Eat the Rich offers just that! This social deception game places billionaires in a game show where they fight for their lives. You and 5 to 9 others will compete in various games, vying to vote out whoever you think is the billionaire with the most. The game offers clever twists and is easy to understand, making it the perfect catharsis!
MotionRec
Puzzle games need not be complex to provide endless entertainment. Case in point: MotionRec. This game features simple controls where you need to perform actions, rewind, and then play them back in different locations. Although it seems straightforward, the mechanics offer surprising depth!
Morbid Metal
Up for some stylish action? Dive into Morbid Metal. This game lets you transform your robotic warrior into different characters mid-combo to utilize their unique weapons and moves. The roguelite mechanic promises endless hack-and-slash fun for the full game!
Dead as Disco
Ever wanted to create your own dance-fight mashup? Dead as Disco lets you do just that! This game combines the fast-paced combat of games like Sifu with the rhythmic gameplay of DDR. The best part? You can import any song you want to set the soundtrack to your own fight scene! There's a story to follow, licensed tracks, brutal bosses, and even a co-op mode. Get ready to boogie down and knock out some enemies!
Enrichment Data:
Baby Steps was developed by Bennet Foddy and published by Devolver Digital, featuring a humorous control mechanic where players move one foot at a time in a cave, mimicking a character who hasn’t walked in a long time (Foddy, 2023). Its absurd physics, minimal dialogue, and intricate level design made it a popular choice among players (Escape Room, 2023).
Possessor(s) is a 2D metroidvania set during a demon invasion, where your character is possessed by a demon to survive (Yosha, 2022). It offers a large map to explore, beautifully animated cutscenes, strong voice acting, and a compelling story about mysterious experiments leading to the invasion. Players were particularly impressed with its art and narrative execution (I've Been Destroyed, 2022).
For more information on the most recent Next Fest demos, you can visit official Steam websites or gaming news platforms that highlight the top demos from each event. Enjoy exploring the indie game scene, and happy gaming!
After experiencing the challenge of balancing and moving forward in the game 'Baby Steps', you might also want to check out other gadgets and technologies showcased in upcoming indie games at Steam Next Fest. For example, 'Morbid Metal' offers a unique transformation mechanic for your robotic warrior, adding an interesting twist to the hack-and-slash genre. Technology and gaming enthusiasts should not miss out on these exciting gadgets and upcoming indie games during Steam Next Fest.
