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Steam Next Fest is back in swing! Let's take a look at some of the 2024 Steam Next Fest demos worth checking out. Steam Next Fest is an online festival hosted by Valve where games get highlighted through livestreams and playable demos. This event is a golden opportunity for gamers to try out new titles and get a taste of what’s coming next in the world of gaming.

Here are a few selections for you to check out, in no particular order:

2024 Steam Deck Next Fest demos you can try now 4h714b

Cat Quest III 2z26h

The Cat Quest series has become a cult classic, and the third installment looks to polish and expand on its winning formula. Set in the pirate-themed Purribean, Cat Quest III lets you play as a swashbuckling purrivateer alongside a trusty spirit companion. The game promises an engaging open-world action RPG experience with plenty of humor and charm. I think fans of the previous games will likely find this new adventure a delightful continuation of the series.

Demonschool 4w6

Demonschool boasts a killer art style and seems like a throwback to the original Persona games. This new-style tactics RPG involves defeating enemies in both human and demon worlds while navigating university life on a mysterious island. The game features a rewindable planning phase for creating combos, a light horror narrative, and relationship-building with 15 characters. It has the makings of a sleeper hit, combining strategy with a compelling story.

Dungeon Clawler 5z345x

Dungeon Clawler mixes deck-building with a claw machine mechanic, creating a unique and fun gameplay experience. As you fight through the dungeon to reclaim your lost rabbit paw, you'll enjoy a blend of rogue-like mechanics and strategic planning. The art style is quirky and engaging, making this demo a standout.

Dungeons of Hinterberg 8n5u

Dungeons of Hinterberg looks like a Zelda set in the Alps, complete with snowboarding elements. You play as Luisa, a burnt-out law trainee escaping her corporate life to conquer dungeons in the Austrian Alps. With a mix of combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration, this game offers a unique adventure. The demo promises a blend of action and relaxation, with activities ranging from ziplining through forests to having coffee by the lake, all while fighting off monsters with sword and magic skills. It's an intriguing mix that has me hooked from the start.

Enotria: The Last Song 4l1xn

Enotria: The Last Song is a Soulslike game set in a bright, sun-lit world inspired by Italian folklore. The bright setting contrasts beautifully with the genre's typical dark aesthetic. With over 100 different enemies and a rich unique narrative, I feel like this game could offer a fresh take on the Soulslike genre.

Fields of Mistria 6dyc

For fans of Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon, Fields of Mistria is a must-play. This farm sim leans heavily into fantasy elements, offering a charming and magical experience. Set in an idyllic village recovering from an earthquake, you'll restore the town and explore the land's newfound magic. The demo showcases the game's potential for cozy, rewarding gameplay.

Goblin Cleanup 3t1x2f

Goblin Cleanup has a fun, tongue-in-cheek premise that involves you play as a goblin tasked with preparing a dungeon for the next adventurer. It's a humorous take on dungeon management, allowing for both cooperative and competitive play with up to three friends. The charm of this game lies in its unique concept and playful execution.

Once Human k6k1m

Once Human is one of the most anticipated showcases of Steam Next Fest, and I can't recommend it enough. This multiplayer open-world survival game is set in a strange, post-apocalyptic future where you and your friends fight monstrous enemies, uncover secret plots, and build your own territory. The demo highlights the game's vast world and cooperative gameplay, making it a must-try for fans of survival games.

Tiny Glade 11v56

Tiny Glade is the perfect relaxing building game to unwind with after a long day. This free-form building game lets you create castles and dioramas without management or combat. The gridless building chemistry allows for creativity and stress-free construction. It's a delightful and calming experience that stands out amidst more intense offerings.

2024 Steam Next Fest runs until June 17, 2024

The post Siliconera’s Most Recommend 2024 Steam Next Fest Demos appeared first on Siliconera.

Valve's Steam Next Fest is on, and hundreds of new and games are getting free playable demos to for all and sundry this week. Until February 13, 2023, the front pages of the Steam storefront will engage in a "celebration of games," with developer-led livestreams of titles, as well as the opportunity to personally experience a slice of what's next up on the world's biggest PC game store. Of course, with all those new games available for the sampling, it can be tough to choose which to try out in the limited time available. Some demos might remain online after the festival, but the general assumption is that they'll be unavailable for a while once the fest is over.

To that end, we've gone ahead and selected a handful of titles we think are worth trying out, via their Steam Next Fest playable demos. Check them out below, and recommend your own favorites in the comments.

Note: The following games were picked by Siliconera staff out of the Steam Next Fest selection. The full lineup is viewable at this link and via the Steam client. System requirements and availability may vary by title or region. 1r4v3o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tNA6FvTDDk

Affogato 31h5y

Affogato blends coffee, conversation, and tower defense into a new style of RPG. The gameplay uses a "reverse tower defense" style, and players help a sorceress make her new café business successful by helping clients fight their "inner demons." Between battles, they'll converse with customers, build relationships, and use a realistic coffeemaking model to brew the perfect cup.

Check out its Steam page and grab its Steam Next Fest demo at this link. The full release is due in 2023.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7uWrjl95k4

Grim Guardians: Demon Purge 2g4w4r

A new title from Inti Creates, Grim Guardians is inspired by gothic horror in the "Metroidvania" vein. Two sisters must challenge a demonic castle that has consumed their school, hunting demons throughout the 2D, multi-floor labyrinth. They'll earn weapons and equipment from defeating bosses that unlock more areas to visit. Players will control the siblings in tag-team fashion, swapping sisters as the situation demand. Jump-in co-op also allows two players to control both Kamizono sisters on-screen, should the mood arise.

Grim Guardians launches on February 23, 2023. Its store page and demo are here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nra31mia8Y0

Mr. Saitou 5h2n6u

Mr. Saitou comes courtesy of Laura Shigihara, the singer-songwriter best known as the lead composer and sound designer for mega-hit title Plants vs. Zombies. It's a follow-up to her previous game, the story-based adventure Rakuen, and focuses on the titular Mr. Saitou. He's an average white-collar worker struggling to find meaning in a workaday existence. An accident lands him in a strange fantasy world, leading him to unexpected friends and adventure. Shigihara says that Mr. Saitou is "short and sweet", with a non-combat story and an original soundtrack.

Check out Mr. Saitou's store page at this link. The game will launch on March 24, 2023. Its Steam Next Fest demo is only in English, but the full release will multiple languages, including Japanese, French, Dutch, Korean, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, and Turkish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITlbiOSd3Vc

WitchSpring R 533y6k

A new title from WitchSpring3 Re:Fine developer Kiwiwalks, WitchSpring R returns to the well of witch-raising. It's a story-driven RPG that brings together daily life simulation, collection, crafting, and battle. Players control Pieberry, a bunny-eared witch living in a secluded, monster-infested forest. You'll help her reach the outside world to walk amongst the humans, and will need to help her gain power, find resources, and train her attributes.

The game doesn't have a release window, but Kiwiwalks says that the Steam Next Fest demo will last 2-3 hours, and include a tutorial. Check it out at this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_f5fGNtg6k

Pocket Mirror ~ GoldenerTraum x484d

From developers AstralShift and VisuStella, Pocket Mirror ~ GoldenerTraum is a "remastered" edition of Pocket Mirror, a legendary horror RPG. Despite being created in RPG Maker, a popular game development tool suite for independent and hobbyist developers, Pocket Mirror impressed with its visuals and story. GoldenerTraum updates the visuals further, as well as adding more features, like a new ending, 2D animated sequences, a New Game+ mode, and additional content. Players will be able to switch between the new art style and the classic one.

According to its store page, the game doesn't yet have a release window, but you can grab the Steam Next Fest demo at this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXGc7QMHTXU

Radio the Universe 142w1f

Radio the Universe might feel familiar, and it should. Its creator, known only as "6e6e6e" (or "sixe") has been working on it for nearly ten years. It was first funded via Kickstarter in 2013, and has been in development ever since. Now it's playable at the Steam Next Fest, though it doesn't have an announced release window (it was last planned to be ready by Winter 2020). Players take on the role of an immortal wanderer, traveling through the ruins of a mysterious city, taking on dangerous enemies and fighting to survive.

Here's its Steam store page, from which you can the playable demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBhHesn3ka8

Banchou Tactics 35l2i

A tactics title themed after Japanese high school toughs, Banchou Tactics has been in the works at Secret Character. It is inspired both by games like Final Fantasy Tactics and titles like River City Ransom. Players take control of various school-age street fighters caught up in a gang war to determine the toughest and strongest delinquent in the city.

The demo is available at this link. A release date hasn't been specified, but it was last set for a Q1 2023 debut.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRlI7dsID3s

Wandering Sword 4h6i6a

A Chinese-developed RPG boasting visuals in the vein of Square Enix's recent "HD-2D" productions (like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy), Wandering Sword promises wuxia-inspired adventure in its STeam Next Fest demo. Players step into the role of Yuwen Yi, a warrior who is recuperating in a mountain village after a brush with death. Players will guide Yuwen on his journey through the land, learning various martial arts and weapons, and mastering their meridian points in pursuit of pure martial prowess.

The game is planned for a 2023 release. You can grab its Steam Next Fest demo on this page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3XXgRpIKp4

1000xRESIST 6f272q

A narrative adventure set at the end of the world, players are placed in the role of Watcher, a clone member of a secret sisterhood living in a closed facility called the Garden. The sisterhood worships "The Allmother," the last surviving human. When Watcher's closest sister, Fixer, uncovers a dangerous rumor, Watcher must explore history through a time-shifting tool to uncover a lie thousands of years old.

1000xRESIST is playable as part of the Steam Next Fest, and launches fully in 2023. Check it out on its store page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2CDeQx63kQ

Shadows of Doubt 4r505r

An entry into the venerable "immersive sim" genre, Shadows of Doubt uses low-poly visuals to "fully simulate" a functioning cityscape in an alternative 1980s timeline. Players take on the role of a private detective and use gadgets and sleuthing skills to solve cases. Players can get to know any one of the hundreds of NPCs in the game, each with their own daily routine, and take a variety of routes to meet their goals.

Check out the store page to access the playable demo. Shadows of Doubt doesn't have a release window yet.

The current Steam Next Fest runs until February 13, 2023.

The post Check Out These 10 Free Steam Next Fest Demos appeared first on Siliconera.