Steam Next Fest February 2023: Where to Begin

The Steam Next Fest has now started and there are tons of upcoming games and demos to try out! With so many to take a look at, you might feel a little bit lost on what to try. Here are some games we found that looked interesting:

For those new to Next Fest, this is a 7 day event on Steam where hundreds of demos are highlighted for upcoming games, usually prioritizing indies. We have not tested all these games yet, this is more a starting place for games we found that looked worth the time to try! These aren't listed in any particular order. Our played recommendation list of demos will come in the next few days as we explore more!

Townseek

A colorful and gorgeous journey awaits in the world of Explora where you will travel far and wide to discover landmarks, catch fish, meet whimsical characters, and more! Thhis is Super Rare Original's newest game that they are publishing and it looks phenomenal.

Nocturnal

After years of traveling, Ardeshir finds his native island covered in a mysterious fog. Carve your way with fire and steel to find out what happened to your people in this action-platformer game. You’re the only one who can discover the secrets that lie beyond the Mist.

Planet of Lana

A young girl and her loyal friend embark on a rescue mission through a colorful world full of cold machines and unfamiliar creatures. Planet of Lana is a cinematic puzzle adventure framed by an epic sci-fi saga that stretches across centuries and galaxies.

Spiritfall (SDHQ Preview)

Spiritfall is a fast-paced Action Roguelite with combat inspired by Platform Fighters. Slash, smash, launch, and wall-splat a multitude of enemies using an ever-changing arsenal of divine powers.

Sons of Valhalla (SDHQ Preview)

Sons of Valhalla is a combat and base-building game set in the Viking Age. Build fortresses and lay siege to enemy strongholds, gather warriors and board longboats, and engage in personal combat as you raid and conquer across England.

Mika and the Witch's Mountain (SDHQ Preview)

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is a fantasy adventure about an aspiring witch who delivers packages to the townspeople of a small island. Explore every cranny and soar through the sky with your magic broom.

Darkest Dungeon 2

Darkest Dungeon II is a roguelike road trip of the damned. Form a party, equip your stagecoach, and set off across the decaying landscape on a last gasp quest to avert the apocalypse. The greatest dangers you face, however, may come from within...

Knight Crawlers

Spawn your own enemies in this wobbly physics based rogue-lite action RPG and mow down hundreds of foes to your heart’s content. Fend off the Hordes of the Corrupted Realms by choosing powerful skill cards, enchanting equipment, and extracting living essence to upgrade your crawler.

Ravenbound

Fear everything and nothing for death brings you closer to victory in this challenging open world action-roguelite. As the Vessel of an ancient power you must use steel and skill to complete your mission in a dangerous fantasy world inspired by Scandinavian folklore.

Wandering Sword

Wandering Sword is a Chinese martial-arts RPG where you play a young swordsman caught up in a feud and nearly dies. Escaping the event puts you on the path of pursuing the highest form of martial arts and exploring the pugilistic world to become the great hero you are always destined to be.

Trinity Fusion

Explore dark, sci-fi worlds and engage in fast-paced and precise combat in Trinity Fusion - a Rogue-Lite action platformer set in a sprawling, doomed multiverse.

Dad by the Sword

Dad by the Sword is a First Person Swordfighting game with a heavy focus on tactical dismemberment, player creativity, giant spraying fountains of purple blood, and dad jokes. Play as YOUR DAD in his quest to fight evil hot dogs, Wizards, things hatched from eggs, and other vile Anti-Dads.

Gravity Circuit

Gravity Circuit is a flashy action packed 2D platformer in the spirit of console classics. Follow Kai, a lone operative war hero who harnesses the mysterious powers of the Gravity Circuit, on an adventure in a futuristic world inhabited by sentient robots.

Death or Treat

The Halloween spirit is missing! Play as Scary and help him save HallowTown. "Death or Treat" is a 2D action-roguelite and hack & slash, with hand-painted environments and traditional animation. Explore all the worlds and defeat hordes of enemies using different weapons and skills.

Honeymancer

Honeymancer is a cute RPG and Farm Simulator with wave-based combat. Play as a secluded Bear Witch. She's a beekeeper and a user of honey magic. Help your bee friends make honey by planting flowers, use your honey to cast spells and protect the forest from evil robots.

Rin: The Last Child

Play as RIN, the last child of the Creator, called to restore order in a dark fairy-tale world. Collect aspects and runes to craft spells. Enhance them to match your playstyle and fight monsters. Confront the bosses - your siblings, and determine the world’s fate.

Ninja or Die

Unleash the power and speed of the Ninja in an ultrafast Roguelite that will leave you dead and wanting more. Ninja or Die is a singleplayer challenge with a rare offering: hardcore action and simple controls.

Gone Rogue

Gone Rogue is a stealth-action game with elements of tactical RPG. Get into the role of a thief from the city slums. Lurking in the shadows, sneak unnoticed past enemies, get behind any locked doors, and carry off rich loot.

Chants of Sennaar

Legend says that one day, a traveler will reunite the Peoples of the Tower who are unable to communicate with each other. Observe, listen, and decipher ancient languages in a fascinating universe inspired by the myth of Babel.

Candle Knight

Wield your flame to overcome menacing creatures lurking in the shadows of a ruined castle, use the dynamic difficulty system to your advantage, traverse challenging platforming sections and solve cryptic puzzles inside surreal paintings in this 2.5D action adventure platformer.

HeistGeist

A story-driven RPG set in a cyberpunk version of Central Europe. Play as Alexandra, doublecrossed street-smart thief on the run after a job gone bad. Put together a team of specialists, execute highly elaborate heists, fight in card-based battles and hack into the most secure corporate systems.

Gripper

Gripper is a story-driven action game with boss fights on wheels. Tear your enemies apart with a grappling hook. Rip out their metal hearts to gain abilities. Rescue your family and uncover the secrets of the collapsing world.

Worldless

Worldless is a stylised 2D Adventure Platformer with turn-based combat and a mind-bending, interpretative narrative. Players will walk the line between physical and astral planes within a shapeless world, embarking on a journey of self-growth and understanding.

Bleak Sword DX

Discover and destroy increasingly horrifying creatures across an oppressive lofi world, wielding fierce weaponry and powerful magic in this pocket-sized 2D action adventure.

Mineko's Night Market

Mineko’s Night Market is a narrative-driven, social simulation adventure game that celebrates Japanese culture while encouraging players to craft, eat, and ultimately enjoy all the cats.

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