Five excellent Steam Next Fest demos you might have missed

2025’s initial Steam Next Fest has concluded. Remarkably, there are two more occasions this year left, one in June and another in October, during which even more demos will be accessible for players to sample upcoming games. However, a recurring theme across each Next Fest is being faced with an abundance of choices. With limited time at our disposal and countless demos to explore, the post-event chaos may have caused you to overlook some remarkable ones. Fortunately, the good news is that these demos continue to be playable.

The best demos from Steam Next Fest you might have missed

1. Goodlands, I likened it to “Animal Crossing” but for dinosaur enthusiasts, won me over with its charming dinosaur characters and exploration-centric gameplay.

2. Haste: Broken Worlds is a fast-paced game that ranks among the most gratifying I’ve ever played, and it’s one of the most popular demos on Steam.

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown has completely surpassed my expectations for what fun a tactical game could offer.

There’s a lot more demonstrations to discuss, and they are all accessible for play and download, despite the conclusion of the Next Fest. Keep in mind that I cannot assure how long these demos will stay available, and none of the games have confirmed release dates at this time, so take advantage of them while you can!

Tails of Fate

Fate’s Tails is the inaugural project from studio Chase the Bunny. This engaging 2D action platformer integrates RPG aspects, features metroidvania-style dungeon exploration, and offers challenging combat reminiscent of Souls series, all within a vibrant fantasy realm populated by anthropomorphic animal characters. In the demo version (regrettably brief), you assume the role of a fox armed with a crossbow, while also catching a sneak peek at the pig knight wielding a giant sword.

Among all the games on this list, Tails of Fate appears to be the one with the longest wait until a full release. The demo during Next Fest brought us closer to the end of its Kickstarter campaign, which will conclude within the next two days. Thankfully, the game has surpassed its funding goal by more than double, and even reached a stretch goal for console versions once it’s developed. However, with the Kickstarter ending soon, we can expect a delay in seeing the complete release. The Kickstarter tentatively projects delivery of both physical and digital copies in December 2026, but whether that timeline holds true remains to be seen.

Without a doubt, Tails of Fate truly shines as one of the most promising demos at this year’s Next Fest. The artwork is top-notch, and the gameplay is engaging and tough to master. I can’t wait to see what these developers will accomplish now that their project has been successfully funded.

Castle V Castle

Castle V Castle boasts its distinctive black-and-white artwork and unique rogue-lite gameplay, reminiscent of a tactical card game in real life. Construct and fortify your castle, while demolishing that of your adversary. Utilize cards from your hand, ranging from summoning a colossal robot to reinforcing with blocks. Make the best out of the cards you’ve been given and aim to bring down as many castles as possible before yours succumbs to destruction.

If you find this new card game from Nopopo less captivating initially, remember that Casey Yano – a developer known for hit indie deckbuilder Slay the Spire – is backing it through Outersloth, the publisher of Among Us. Given his expertise in card-based video games, it’s reasonable to expect an engaging experience. I can confirm this from trying the demo myself; the game truly stands on its own merits without needing external validation.

I admire Castle V Castle for jumping right into the action as soon as the demo starts up, offering little preamble about why we’re destroying the opposing castle or the storyline behind it. Instead, let’s dive in! However, mastering this game will take some time and practice. Like all card games, luck plays a role, but it doesn’t dictate everything.

Aethermancer

If you’re on the hunt for a fresh game that satisfies your craving for capturing creatures like Pokémon but offers more difficulty and intricacy, then I’ve got just the thing! Developed by Moi Rai Games is Aethermancer. As the main character, the Aethermancer, you journey into the void, amassing a squad of monsters to battle alongside you. Direct these creatures in intense three-versus-three turn-based conflicts and discover just how deep into the void you can delve before it ejects you.

An Aethermancer is a game that falls under the roguelike category, where the primary objective is reaching the end of the game. However, along the way, you’ll encounter smaller challenges such as exploring the game world, identifying the characteristics of different enemies, and forming a team tailored to your playstyle. It’s important to note that the demo version won’t allow you to complete the entire game, but it does offer two distinct environments to delve into and numerous non-player characters to engage with.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say that one thing that truly stands out about Aethermancer is the incredible pixel-art designs of the diverse creatures they’ve created. Each one is so uniquely crafted, fitting perfectly with the game’s aesthetic, and featuring some really imaginative animations. Take Mephisto, for instance – it’s based on folklore and legend, and it looks like a fiery dog with six glowing red eyes. But when it unleashes its magic, it transforms! The color changes, it stands tall on its hind legs, and a spectral/demonic face appears above it. Whoever thought up that animation really went the extra mile, because I can tell you it was well worth it. I’m genuinely looking forward to exploring more of what Aethermancer has to offer beyond this demo.

Is This Seat Taken?

There’s always space for an additional engaging puzzle game in my life, and “Is This Seat Taken?” from Poti Poti Studio seems like a perfect fit. In this game, you aid passengers in finding their ideal seats. The demo offers a variety of settings such as taxis, buses, and cinemas. You interact with various characters who each have unique preferences about where they wish to sit. Some might be keen on a window seat, others may want to sit with a friend, while some would rather avoid the man who hasn’t bathed in a few days!

This Seat Taken? offers a charming take on a common situation we all encounter. Unlike other challenging puzzle games, it’s more about finding the perfect fit for everyone. While the other games are fantastic, they can get intense at times. This game provides a refreshing change with its easy-going approach to dragging and dropping adorable characters into seats that bring them the most joy.

For me, there’s something incredibly rewarding about taking my time to piece together a puzzle. When I’ve successfully placed each character in their designated spot and watch the bus drive off filled with smiling faces, it brings a sense of fulfillment. Even amidst the chaos of fast-paced, action-packed games that are popular today, don’t forget to carve out a little time for some charming puzzle gaming.

Kabuto Park

As a gaming enthusiast, allow me to share my excitement about a delightful title that’s perfect for unwinding: Kabuto Park, created by the talented minds behind Doot and Zakku, who also brought us last year’s charming indie hit, Minami Lane. This game is all about capturing intriguing insects in a serene park setting. The demo is incredibly endearing, as your character’s pointer finger acts as the mouse, directing you to various spots on a rudimentary map, helping you decide where to venture next to discover some truly fascinating bugs. I must emphasize that I don’t use the term “fascinating” casually. Instead of the standard “Ok” at the end of prompts, Kabuto Park opts for a more cheerful replacement: “Cool”.

The pleasure of exploring the park for fascinating insects isn’t just about lounging around; if you aim to save up for a vacation at the lake to discover even more interesting bugs, you’ll need to engage in some friendly bug contests. No physical harm intended. Instead, choose a team of three insects and strive to outmaneuver another child’s group on a specific landmark, such as a stump. Each bug has unique characteristics, including strengths, weaknesses, and special powers that you can utilize during combat to gain an edge.

Exploring Kabuto Park offers various spots to investigate, such as the tree trunk, its roots, and the reeds near the lake. Whenever you discover something, you need to be precise with your timing to catch it using your net. The common insects are relatively easy to capture, but the rarer ones can slip through your grasp, leaving you with a sense of loss when they escape. Just like my childhood explorations of nature, I’m driven to keep searching until I find something interesting. Perhaps that was Kabuto Park’s intention all along?

Could you share which other games you’re currently enjoying or are excited about? This year offers an abundance of fantastic titles to explore, it’s simply a question of discovering those that best suit your preferences.

2025-03-05 07:25