Steam Next Fest: A Curated Selection of Must-Try Demos

The gaming world has been bustling recently, with numerous new releases captivating players. For those dedicated to staying current with the latest titles, the sheer volume of games likely means a substantial backlog that will be challenging to clear by the close of 2025. However, if you can temporarily set aside popular games like Hades 2 or Battlefield 6, a wealth of exceptional demos awaits your exploration.

Steam Next Fest is currently in full swing, running until October 20th. Throughout this period, you’ll discover a plethora of demos for upcoming PC games on Steam. This includes sneak peeks at highly anticipated releases such as Ball X Pit, alongside intriguing indie titles you might not have encountered before. For instance, a recent Next Fest featured a memorable demo for a Silent Hill-inspired soccer game titled Fear Fa 98. This event serves as an excellent chance to update your Steam wishlist and identify promising games that deserve a spot on your radar. So, what exactly should you delve into? Here are a few recommendations to get you started, though the festival offers far more to explore.

Among the highlighted demos is “Goodnight Universe,” a game gaining significant traction. This title, a winner at Tribeca Fest and set to launch on November 11th, comes from the creators of “Before Your Eyes,” a game renowned for its eye-tracking controlled experience. “Goodnight Universe” builds upon this concept, casting players as an infant possessing psychic abilities. With a functional camera, the Steam Next Fest demo provides a glimpse into how you can manipulate the in-game world merely by shifting your gaze. Its release is particularly timely, as it shares thematic similarities with Nintendo’s recent “Close To You” short film, prior to the addition of Pikmin elements. While Next Fest offers many games, none will be quite like “Goodnight Universe.” For those seeking a thrill, the Halloween season provides ample horror demos, with “Sleep Awake” standing out. This new project from Blumhouse Games plunges players into a eerie world where individuals vanish during their sleep. You embody a character striving to remain awake in a first-person horror experience steeped in surreal and nightmarish visuals that evoke the sensation of sleep deprivation. The unsettling sound design, crafted by Nine Inch Nails’ Robin Finck, further enhances its chilling atmosphere. Another highly praised title is “Ambrosia Sky,” which garnered significant acclaim after its initial press demo at Summer Game Fest. Having finally experienced its Steam Next Fest demo, the reasons for its popularity are clear. This debut game from Soft Rains combines elements of Metroid Prime and Super Mario Sunshine. Players assume the role of an interstellar cleaner tasked with sanitizing alien fungus-infested spaceships using a sci-fi power washer. This premise translates into deeply satisfying gameplay, as you eradicate alien growth within unsettling spacecraft. The demo offers a compelling preview, showcasing “Ambrosia Sky’s” immersive atmosphere, sleek user interface, and even segments of zero-gravity movement. This is definitely one to watch, as it's poised to be a major talking point of Steam Next Fest. If you haven't yet tried the demo for “Lumines Arise,” now is the opportune moment before the music game’s November 11th release. This revival of the PSP-era cult puzzle classic, crafted by Enhance (the studio behind Tetris Effect), offers a mesmerizing twist on the original. The trippy demo immediately showcases its unique appeal, allowing you to reacquaint yourself with Lumines’ two-color block-matching mechanics while marveling at its psychedelic levels. Having spent several days with a demo build, it has completely absorbed my leisure time. The prospect of experiencing it in VR when it launches on PS5 with PlayStation VR2 support is incredibly exciting. Tarsier Studios, known for Little Nightmares, has been working on an original project, “Reanimal,” which is a new creepy-cute horror game reminiscent of the Little Nightmares series but with a darker tone. The Steam Next Fest demo follows two siblings through a fog-shrouded, desolate world, evoking an Inside-esque aesthetic. This snippet suggests a scarier direction for Tarsier, yet retains the studio’s signature minimalist puzzle-solving and ability to craft unsettling environments that compel escape. Among the numerous roguelikes at Next Fest, “Godbreakers” distinguishes itself. Set to launch on October 23rd, this latest offering from Thunderful Publishing is a traditional hack-and-slash action game featuring perk-based upgrades that alter each playthrough. Its unique mechanic allows players to absorb defeated enemies, unlocking devastating special attacks. This Kirby-like element is integrated into a fast-paced action game with challenging bosses across various interstellar biomes. Furthermore, its four-player co-op potential makes it an exciting prospect. Dotemu’s next promising beat-em-up, “Marvel Cosmic Invasion,” also warrants attention. This project from Tribute Games, the developers of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, promises an equally enjoyable experience. Inspired by classic Marvel arcade games, “Cosmic Invasion” unites iconic heroes like Captain America with unexpected allies such as Venom. The Steam Next Fest allows players to experience its slick 2D brawling and innovative tag system, which introduces a surprising Marvel vs. Capcom flair to the traditional beat-em-up genre. Finally, “The Legend of Khiimori” is arguably the most captivating demo encountered thus far. This open-world game, entering early access on November 4th, casts players as a 13th-century Mongolian courier whose primary mode of transportation, her horse, is central to the gameplay. Unlike typical invincible mounts, this horse requires diligent care, including feeding, stamina management, and injury treatment. The Steam Next Fest demo offers 90 minutes to explore the world and master these mechanics. For a deeper dive, examining the horse’s DNA in the menu reveals the intricate details of its stats.

The ongoing Steam Next Fest is a vibrant celebration of creativity and innovation in the gaming industry, providing a unique platform for developers to showcase their work and for players to explore a diverse range of interactive experiences. By offering a glimpse into the future of PC gaming, these demos not only build anticipation for upcoming releases but also foster a deeper connection between creators and their audience. This event underscores the collaborative spirit of the gaming community, where new ideas are embraced, and promising titles are given the opportunity to shine, enriching the collective gaming landscape for everyone involved.