The world of videogames is vast and wondrous, and if you look past the big budget blockbusters and legendary IP you can find some wild and crazy stuff you never imagined you wanted. You can start your search early this year with the Steam Next Fest, a celebration of the diversity of the games on PC’s number one digital storefront.
This celebration takes the form of not just discounts on already released darlings and cult hits, but hundreds of demos for games currently in development. From exhilarating experiences with compelling hooks to more quirky experiments in narratives and themes, Steam Next Fest is where to gorge yourself for style, substance and innovation. Here are a few demos to check out:
Harold Halibut
This narrative adventure from German studio Slow Bros about life on a city-sized submersible in an alien ocean might take some getting used to, with its really drawn out exploration. But what might jump out at you is the game’s unique look and its bleak but humorous writing and characters. The game features hand-made puppets that have been in scanned in to create a sort of digital asset blended with IRL motion capture. The result really captures the vibe of quirky European stop-motion specials you might remember from decades long ago.
Until Then
This slice-of-life pixel coming of age drama by Philippine studio Polychroma Games centers on a young boy named Mark Borja as he navigates the typical challenges of high school. The friendships, the responsibilites, the insecurities. But then things get strange. The official store description for Unt il Then says that “a fateful meeting sets off a chain reaction, upending Mark’s life,” but the demo doesn’t depict this, meaning we’ll have to wait until the game launches to find out.
Children of the Sun
True to the sensibilities of publisher Devolver Digital, this tactical murder game from Rene Rother lets you wage a one-woman war against a cult, using an almost supernatural ability to bend the trajectory of a single rifle round. That’s right, you’re a curving bullet to take down religious fanatics. You’ll slow down time and bounce off surfaces and yeah, that is something you do now. Fire away, fire away, ricochet, you take your aim.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
If you’re still hungering for more platforming action after this year’s Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, then check out this debut title from London-based Surgent Studios. The familiar gameplay loops of running, jumping, sliding and fighting fantastical creatures are present in this game along with eye-popping art direction. Tales of Kenzera is a passion project by voice actor Abubakar Salim, who dedicates the game to the memory of his games-loving father.
Berserk Boy
Clearly inspired by the Mega Man games, this retro-styled action adventure developed by Japan-based BerserkBoy Games features classic run and gun combat. And just like Capcom’s famed Blue Bomber, Berserk Boy also has the ability to collect new ability forms as players progress and taps into the joys of roguelikes and Metroidvanias by encouraging you to backtrack and find collectibles and level secrets. It also features a soundtrack by Tee Lopes, composer of Sonic Mania and Streets of Rage 4.
Lightyear Frontier
Job simulators and farming are a well worn trope in the PC indie gaming space, but Lightyear Frontier has a spin on it you’ve never seen before: mechs. Swedish studio Frame Break lets you pilot hulking machines not as instruments of war, but as tools to build, gather and farm. The music is cozy, the palette is pleasant and inviting. Real mech homes, not war energy. This well-oiled work simulation feels like it could be the next sleeper hit.
