The Steam Next Fest demos you should try ASAP

The world’s most famous online video game platform temporarily hosts free demos for upcoming titles. The Steam Next Fest started on June 19 and will end on the 26th, so you should check the available games today.

Many of them offer unique gaming experiences, while others improve various genres. This event will show you that video games continue improving despite AAA titles’ declining quality. If you’re tired of endless first-person shooters and gacha mobile games, check out Next Fest.

You may find promising titles worth preordering until their release dates. The best part is you can download and install their demos for free! This article will cover the most promising Steam Next Fest titles, such as Lies of P and Eternights.

The best Steam Next Fest demos

1. Lies of P
2. Eternights
3. Viewfinder
4. En Garde!
5. Battle Shapers
6. Sea of Stars
7. House Flipper 2
8. Hammerwatch 2
9. New Cycle
10. Moonstone Island

1. Lies of P

Famous content creators like xQc have already played and praised this game. Consequently, you may have noticed it while checking the latest titles.

Lies of P is for those who love From Software games like Dark Souls, Sekiro, and Bloodborne. It lets you play a spinoff of the classic children’s story of Pinocchio.

The trailer seemingly lets you play as Pinocchio, except he’s a robot. The setting reminds players of Bloodborne’s unsettling Western themes.

Pinocchio or “P” must navigate a steampunk-esque city filled with hostile automatons. The combat is similar to Sekiro, letting you deflect and evade enemies quickly.

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P has a left hand that lets him use special abilities, similar to Sekiro’s ninja. For example, the trailer shows the protagonist zapping a giant robot to stun it momentarily.

The game also offers Dark Souls-like difficulty, as enemies can beat you in a few hits. You can try the free demo and prepurchase it for ₱2,450.00. Lies of P will launch on September 19, 2023.

2. Eternights

This game mixes Persona 5 Striker’s gameplay, Persona 5 Royal’s RPG mechanics, and a futuristic aesthetic. Eternights takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where people inexplicably turn into monsters.

Only your character and a few others survived. However, beating these creatures is the key to taking back the world for humanity. The trailer shows you have a limited time to complete this objective.

You must maximize each day to perform short-term goals, such as exploring new areas and getting new equipment. Meanwhile, you must establish connections with the remaining survivors.

These mechanics are reminiscent of Persona 5 Royal, which became a surprise global hit. Moreover, the combat may remind players of Persona 5 Striker’s action combat.

You strike enemies and dodge their attacks to prevail. Unlike Persona 5’s Shadows, you fight more robotic-looking monsters, hence the futuristic aesthetic.

Eternights may tide over Persona fans who can’t wait for Persona 3: Reload’s 2024 release. It will launch on September 21, 2023, and you may prepurchase it for ₱1,007.00.

3. Viewfinder

This title is the first unique Steam Next Fest game on this list. Viewfinder is a puzzle game that involves solving environmental challenges by overlaying photos over your view.

For example, you must cross a gap. Pick up a picture of a bridge, put it in front of you, and align it on the gap. Consequently, it will conjure a path. The best part about this game is the different visual designs.

You start with a vibrant, near-realistic world. However, the pictures may feature monochromatic and pixelated scenes in various settings, such as a medieval castle or home.

As a result, solving puzzles lets you explore different places in a cohesive game. The trippy visuals are worth trying, even if you don’t like puzzle games. Viewfinder will launch on July 18, 2023.

4. En Garde!

This game mixes up the usual third-person hack-and-slash formula with environmental attacks. Also, it takes place in a medieval Spain-like world.

En Garde stars Adalia de Volador, “Legendary swashbuckler. Dashing adventurer. Hero of the people.” She fights with a fencing sword like Puss in Boots.

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Her adventure involves opposing Count-Duke’s tyranny over the people. You parry and dodge attacks while striking with your thin sword. Moreover, you take advantage of the environment to win against numerous enemies.

For example, you may slide over a table to avoid being surrounded. You may push barrels downstairs to repel incoming reinforcements. En Garde’s release date is August 2023.

5. Battle Shapers

This Steam Next Fest demo is a frenetic futuristic shooter. You play as Ada, who uses high-tech weapons to defeat the Overlords and their army of hostile robots.

Enemies will approach from everywhere, so you should keep moving. Avoid their attacks while maintaining a safe distance. This game will have you zipping across the map and jumping away, offering fast-paced combat.

Eventually, you earn new weapons and abilities as you complete levels. Battle Shapers becomes harder as you progress, requiring you to take full advantage of your chosen upgrades. It will launch in the third quarter of 2023.

6. Sea of Stars

Retro gamers may miss old RPGs like the 2D Final Fantasy titles. Maybe you’ve played modern 2D turn-based RPGs like Chained Echoes and want more.

Try Sea of Stars at the Steam Next Fest if that’s the case. It is a turn-based roleplaying game that tells the story of the two Children of the Solstice.

They combine sun and moon powers to perform Eclipse Magic against the nefarious Fleshmancer. Sea of Stars has a 2D retro aesthetic and mechanics with modern touches, such as dynamic lighting.

It lets you traverse the game world in numerous ways, such as swimming and climbing. Moreover, it offers many side quests that let you take a break from the main story. Sea of Stars will launch on August 30, 2023.

7. House Flipper 2

There is something strangely soothing about clearing gunk off your driveway with a power washer. Consequently, Power Wash Simulator has an Overwhelmingly Positive Steam rating!

House Flipper provides a similar experience and more. It involves helping Pinnacove town residents sell old homes and build new ones.

You renovate rundown homes to boost their value and encourage people to buy them. For example, you can hammer down rickety walls to put in new ones.

Then, you give them a fresh coat of paint and add furniture. If you’ve ever wanted to try house hacking or home reselling, try its demo. House Flipper 2 will launch in 2023.

8. Hammerwatch 2

Most roleplaying games involve controlling a party of people to beat a major baddie. However, only a few let you play with friends. Hammerwatch 2 is one of them. It lets you and your friends play a group of warriors on a quest.

You choose one of five roles: Paladin, Rogue, Ranger, Warlock, and Wizard. Hammerwatch 2 involves controlling characters over a 2D pixelated world. Unlike turn-based RPGs, you and your party strike and evade foes in real-time.

Your party may also accept side quests for new gear and experience. Moreover, some side objectives open new features, such as the town shop. Hammerwatch 2 will launch on August 15, 2023.

9. New Cycle

This game lets you play a more hopeful post-apocalyptic world. New Cycle’s Steam page asks players to build “a future beyond survival.” This title takes place in a future struck by an unprecedented solar flare.

These electromagnetic radiation waves from the sun could permanently turn off modern technologies. This outer space phenomenon caused modern society to fall. New Cycle tasks you to rebuild civilization by keeping survivors alive and rediscovering old technologies.

Game reviewers compare it to Frostpunk, but it wants more than survival. Still, it is as difficult as this dour city-builder. You must balance your people’s needs, available resources, and your short-term and long-term objectives. However, it does not have a specific release date.

10. Moonstone Island

This Steam Next Fest game combines Stardew Valley and Pokémon. You play as an alchemist who uses surrounding resources to brew potions and create various objects.

Eventually, you move to an island hovering high in the sky to complete your alchemist training. It contains a community you must help with your abilities. You must explore areas to provide their needs and boost your skills.

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Like Stardew Valley, you plant crops and care for animals at home. You establish connections with villagers, enriching your life on Moonstone Island. Also, you tame fantastical creatures to aid in your quest.

They offer additional abilities and fend off hostile monsters. The combat system works like Pokémon, letting you use abilities per turn and swap party members. Moonstone Island will launch in 2023.

Conclusion

Steam Next Fest lets you try upcoming games. If you’re tired of the usual titles from big developers, try these smaller games for new experiences.

This event also helps the video game industry grow and innovate. As you pay for more indie titles, these developers will grow and create new gaming experiences.

You should check them out, as the event will end soon. Meanwhile, learn more tips and trends in gaming, artificial intelligence, gadgets, and more at Inquirer Tech.

Frequently asked questions about Steam Next Fest

How does Steam Next Fest work?

Steam Next Fest is a weeklong event that lets Steam users try numerous game demos for free. As a result, it helps small game developers promote their latest projects. Also, you can watch various livestreams that feature devs playing their games or answering gamer questions.

How do I join Steam Next Fest?

You need a Steam account to join the event and download and play Next Fest demos. Then, log in to your account via a web browser or PC app. Select a game with an available free demo and click the Download button. Wait for the download and installation to complete, and enjoy your demo.

Does Steam Next Fest 2023 offer a badge?

Past Next Fests let you accumulate points to earn badges you can display on your Steam profile. Unfortunately, according to Steam forums, the current event does not offer this reward. Nevertheless, Steam Next Fest is a great way to try new video games for free.

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