Sequel to Cyberpunk RPG, Crazy Reinterpretation of Harry Potter, GTA-Style Police Story. Steam Next Fest Is Filled with Interesting Demos

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that this week’s crop of demos has really piqued my interest.

The Steam Next Fest event kicked off last evening, marking its return. It’s known for showcasing demo versions of numerous upcoming games, and this year is no exception. We’ve handpicked a selection of recommended titles from the array available. The excitement continues until October 21st.

Steam Next Fest – event page

The most interesting demos from Steam Next Fest

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

One of the gems of the festival is the demo of Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector. It’s the sequel to 2022’s excellent cyberpunk RPG, which can boast 92% positive reviews on Steam.

The follow-up presents an engaging plot reminiscent of its predecessor, yet offers more creative control over the narrative. Unlike the previous installment set within a space station, this version finds our protagonist piloting their own spaceship. This vessel not only serves as a means for intergalactic exploration but also necessitates recruiting a crew to navigate through the cosmos effectively.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector on Steam

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-53167

Cyclopean

This game, known as Cyclopean, might be overlooked by many gamers upon first glance due to its retro, 8-bit aesthetics. Yet, I’d encourage you to give it a try, as it boasts potential for an engaging role-playing experience.

The project draws inspiration from the early tales of H.P. Lovecraft, specifically his lesser-known Dream Realm, rather than the widely recognized Cthulhu mythos. Developers have built their game around this unusual realm, which is reminiscent of classic 80s computer RPGs in terms of its gameplay. The game offers a blend of two popular styles from that era: an open-world exploration perspective (Top Down Perspective – TDP) on a vast map and dungeon exploration through a leapfrog approach (First Person Perspective – FPP). The demo delivers a captivating atmosphere and survival-centric gameplay that demands strategic resource management. If you’re not deterred by its minimalistic graphics, give Cyclopean a try.

Cyclopean on Steam

Hail to the Rainbow

Greetings to Rainbow Hail, an action-adventure game that puts you in the driver’s seat of a post-apocalyptic journey! In this thrilling tale, you traverse a desolate Russia landscape from within a car, occasionally venturing out on foot for exploration. However, this isn’t just a scenic drive; the game is filled with intricate puzzles and intense combat sequences to keep you engaged as you delve deeper into the world.

Hail to the Rainbow on Steam

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-50651

Keep driving

The game titled “Keep Driving” is a role-playing experience that incorporates strategic elements centered around resource management, as it narrates the journey by car across the United States. This captivating game boasts stunning pixel art graphics and an evocative ambiance, stirring up feelings of nostalgia reminiscent of the early 21st century.

The demonstration version isn’t flawless; some aspects, such as the turn-based combat which can be a bit sluggish, are part of that imperfection and help us navigate different game obstacles. We anticipate that feedback from Steam Next Fest will assist in enhancing these areas. Despite its shortcomings, it’s already enjoyable to engage with this game.

Keep Driving on Steam

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-54986

Loco Motive

If you’re fond of puzzle-driven stories like point-n-click adventures, don’t miss out on trying the demo of Loco Motive! The plot unfolds within a lavish train setting where a murder has taken place. Throughout the game, you’ll guide three characters who are prime suspects in solving the mystery and clearing their names.

Loco Motive boasts captivating pixel art designs, vibrant character models, engaging brain teasers, and a generous dose of wit – it’s reminiscent of the kind of game LucasArts might have created some thirty years back.

Loco Motive on Steam

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-42274

Secret Agent Wizard Boy and the International Crime Syndicate

Steam Next Fest offers us an opportunity to explore the game titled Secret Agent Wizard Boy and the International Crime Syndicate, which can be considered a wildly imaginative spin-off of the initial Harry Potter game. In this game, we take on the role of a student at a magical school resembling Hogwarts, tasked with thwarting a secretive crime syndicate.

The player is responsible for accomplishing objectives, yet they have the freedom to decide their methods. This game offers an assortment of spells and a thrilling physics system, which, combined with dynamite and other explosives, results in frequent pandemonium within this Hogwarts version. Despite sounding bizarre, it’s incredibly entertaining.

Secret Agent Wizard Boy and the International Crime Syndicate on Steam

The Precinct

Spending a few hours at the Festival would be worth it to check out the demo of The Precinct. This is an action game offering a bird’s eye perspective, where players assume the role of a new police officer working in a fictional American city during the 1980s.

The game encompasses a broad range of tasks for a law enforcement officer. This includes walking and driving patrols, responding to incidents, making apprehensions, and executing arrests. It’s important to note that it also involves scenes involving gunfire and pursuits.

The Precinct on Steam

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-55059

The Spirit of the Samurai

In simpler terms, “The Spirit of the Samurai” is a dynamic action game that unfolds in a fantastical rendition of medieval Japan. The movement within the game operates on a 2D plane, but the combat mirrors games like Soulsborne, featuring a complex and challenging fight system and requiring strategic management of your samurai’s energy reserves.

The developers chose an unconventional aesthetic, giving the game a feel reminiscent of a stop-motion animation movie.

The Spirit of the Samurai on Steam

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-54281

The Stone of Madness

In recent times, there has been an influx of games modeled after the Commandos series. Yet, The Stone of Madness distinguishes itself from other similar titles. Primarily, this is because it offers a unique backdrop – we control a band of unfortunate individuals grappling with mental afflictions, attempting to flee from a horrifying 18th-century Spanish monastery in their dreams. Here, their fears and fixations are vividly portrayed within the gameplay mechanics, resulting in greater variety.

As a gamer, I must say this game is meticulously crafted and leaves an impressive mark with its captivating comic book aesthetic. Known creators behind the renowned “Blasphemous” series have developed it, and after playing the demo, it seems that “The Stone of Madness” is set to become another stellar addition to their collection of masterpieces.

The Stone of Madness on Steam

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-55067

Windblown

windblown, developed by the creators behind dead cells (studio Motion Twin), is an action game reminiscent of roguelike genre. It presents an isometric perspective and emphasizes on intense, rapidly changing battles utilizing a variety of unique abilities. The overall feel appears to be heavily influenced by the Hades series.

In the demonstration, you can only play alone; however, the complete edition will offer the opportunity for cooperative gameplay involving up to three players.

Windblown on Steam

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-54962

A handful of other noteworthy demos:

Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy (size: 4.06 GB) – a remake of a classic FPP adventure game.
KLETKA (size: 783 MB) – the creators describe this game as a cooperative horror game about riding down an elevator that is trying to eat you. Players must disembark on the floors, explore them while avoiding traps and monsters, and gather resources, which they will then use to feed the elevator before it takes them to a lower level.
Mandragora (size: 6.78 GB) – a beautiful 2.5D platformer with an extensive Soulslike combat system.
Neon Blood (size: 1.99 GB) – a beautiful 2.5D pixel art adventure game in which we play the role of a detective working in a cyberpunk city of the future.
Streets of Rogue 2 (size: 2.59 GB) – sequel to the crazy sandbox RPG with a procedurally generated world.
Tenebris Somnia (size: 460 MB) – an adventure survival horror that combines old-school 2D graphics with live-action FMV sequences.
To Kill a God (size: 1.35 GB) – action RPG with roguelike elements. The unusual element is that the skill tree here is a map – unlocking each of its elements requires surviving in the room assigned to it.
The Rise of the Golden Idol (size: 1.44 GB) – a sequel to the excellent detective adventure game from 2022.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center Demo (size: 860 MB) – a pixel art adventure game about employees of an agency dealing with solving supernatural cases.
Worshippers of Cthulhu (size: 6.66 GB) – city builder in which we build cities of worshippers of the filthy deities from HP Lovecraft’s works.

2024-10-15 16:32