Top Demos from Steam Next Fest October 2023 - Part 1

One of my favorite parts of Steam and the events they hold is the Steam Next Fest. This is an awesome event that gives upcoming games, especially indies, a chance to showcase their games through an exclusive demo only happening during the fest. There are usually a couple of these throughout the year, but as the final one this year, we have some amazing games to check out on the Steam Deck and other handhelds!

Here are our Steam Next Fest October 2023 game recommendations:

Quick Note: These demos generally aren't based on the final build of the game, so performance of the demos on the Steam Deck are not indicative of the final product and can change dramatically on release.

Steam Next Fest October 2023 Recommendations:

Wizordum (November 15th, 2023)

Wizordum is a retro FPS that puts you in the role of a Mage on a quest to track down the source of Chaos. With a wide arsenal of spells and magic items, battle your way through the world of Terrabruma in this unique blend of classic 90s shooters and modern gaming elements. Smash, burn, and loot!

The game runs quite well on the Steam Deck so far, which is around what I expected due to the visuals. There are some stutters here and there, but the game generally sticks to 60 FPS with a battery drain of 8W. The game also works with gyro controls in the beta Gyro as Mouse setting in SteamOS 3.5.

Mars Tactics (2023)

The Red Planet is at war. Lead either Capital’s corporate army or Labor’s worker revolutionaries and wage war across a vast strategic map, then assume direct control in turn-based tactical battles featuring artillery, vehicles, and fully destructible environments.

I love this game. Tactical turn-based games like this have always been something I loved, but adding in fully destructible environments sealed the deal for me. It runs decently well. Setting a GPU Clock Speed frequency of 1600 helps stabilize framerate, and you will need to swap the controller configuration to Keyboard with Mouse Touchpad, but it works. You can also increase the battle log's text size, which makes it significantly easier to read!

Turnip Boy Robs a Bank (2023)

Turnip Boy is back! This time he’s teaming up with the fearsome Pickled Gang to plan and execute the weirdest heist of all time. Shake down hostages, steal precious valuables, battle the fuzz, and use wacky tools bought off the dark web to move further into the vaults of the Botanical Bank.

This roguelike-style version of Turnip Boy may not be like the original, but it is still worth playing! The game runs nearly flawlessly on the Steam Deck so far at 60 FPS, with minor fluctuations and a 9W - 10W battery drain.

The Last Faith (November 15th, 2023)

A dark, gothic fusion of metroidvania and soulslike. The Last Faith thrives on merciless and precise combat with a huge range of weapons, firearms, and custom executions at your disposal. Let nothing stand in your way.

The Last Faith has an incredible atmosphere with gorgeous artwork, paired with some amazing animations that make me think of Blasphemous 2. I am excited about this one, and it runs incredibly on the Steam Deck at a full 60 FPS with 6W - 7W battery drain.

Gunhead (November 8th, 2023)

Gunhead is a fast-paced strategic roguelike FPS where you take the role of a pirate mech with a gun for a head, looting derelict spaceships filled with monstrous drones made out of bone and steel. Sequel to the 2d roguelite Cryptark.

So far, I am a big fan. I love the aesthetic, the constant weapon switching, and having 4 weapons at a time that can all be used at once. Feels like a first-person roguelike version of Armored Core, and that is fantastic. It could run better on the Steam Deck, but setting the graphics to "Fast" will get an almost solid 40 FPS that feels wonderful and smooth.

Motordoom (Coming Soon)

Motördoom is a freestyle-sports roguelite horde shooter that combines high octane, visceral combat with fluid movement and trick mechanics. Perform gnarly tricks while defeating grotesque monsters and upgrade your character with demonic offerings to become ever more powerful.

A combination of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, a roguelike, and a third-person shooter. It is chaotically beautiful and runs wonderfully on the Steam Deck at 60 FPS with a 7W - 9W battery drain.

Schizollama (Coming Soon)

Schizollama is a platformer run’n’gun with procedurally generated levels, filled with tons of funny splatterish elements, aiming to be one of the most fast-paced games of the genre! Do not play this game if you are an alpaca!

The game is fast-paced and a ton of fun, and it is hilarious that everyone is a llama. It runs perfectly on the Steam Deck with 6W - 7W battery drain at 60 FPS.

Blade of the Netherworld (Coming Soon)

Blade of the Netherworld is a fast-paced 2D Roguelite platformer. Don divine masks as a Yin-Yang Enforcer, slashing through the underworld to defeat gods, demons, and spirits. Combine a variety of items, master combat skills, and create limitless, high-speed carnage with a free-form action system.

The game runs exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, and I like how fluid the combat feels. It definitely still needs some work, but I am highly optimistic and will be watching out for this one.

Doggy Don't Care (Coming Soon)

Unleash adorable chaos as a mischievous pup! Explore, collect, and smash your way around the house & beyond in this cheeky adventure. Fetch the approval of your feathered friend, Rocko the Parrot, by digging into a list of fun-filled tasks. It's sure to be a pawsitively unforgettable day!

This is an adorable puzzle adventure where you must do different tasks around the house and figure out how to collect all the items you can. It runs great on the Steam Deck with 60 FPS while keeping the battery drain under 11W.

Forgive Me Father 2 (October 19th, 2023)

Embark on a journey into the darkest nightmares to restore your sanity. Blast your way through hordes of possessed enemies, unlock an arsenal of deadly weapons and get ready to face even more Lovecraftian madness in this action-packed FPS sequel.

The game doesn't have any controller support, making it a bit hard, but it runs exceptionally well at 45 FPS. There are some slight dips here and there, but for the most part, the game runs wonderfully and will be a must-have on the Steam Deck once gamepad support is here.

7th Domain (November 16th, 2023)

"7th Domain" is a horizontal version action game derived from Roguelike Metroidvania combined with treasure grinding gameplay. You will play a child of destiny who repairs the world and finds the truth of the broken world. You will grow in battle and challenge the unknown and hidden forces.

This game gives me a Dead Souls but with RPG elements vibe, and I love it! The game runs really well on the Steam Deck too, keeping 60 FPS without going over 10W battery drain. It does start in a different language, so you will need to go to the settings to swap it over to English.

Below the Stone (November 17th, 2023)

Below the Stone is a pixel-art roguelike about dwarves on the quest for the deepest depths. A place where each and every descent will lead to new adventures -- and where only the most determined dwarves with many lost lives will be rewarded by the hidden world lying below the stone.

The game works wonderfully on the Steam Deck and with a gamepad, sticking below 8W battery drain and 60 FPS. I love the combination of the roguelike elements with destroying and making your way through the cave.

Hand in Hand (Q4 2023)

An atmospheric platformer with puzzle elements and split screen, where the player takes control of two characters at once. Immerse yourself in the ethnic world of two heroes, solve puzzles and overcome obstacles together, explore the fairy forest and other locations, help each other.

The game runs really well at around a 9W battery drain and 60 FPS. I love the artwork and atmosphere of the game, as well as the unique mechanic of taking control of two characters at a time.

And that's our list so far! This is only part 1, and we will have more recommendations in the coming days, so stay tuned!

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