The Steam Next Fest has reached a point where it has become essential; no one wants to miss it. All indie studios see it as their opportunity to stand out, and all mid-sized studios see it as their moment to make the leap beyond. Even AAA studios are joining in as a way to gain a bit more publicity. That means covering it is now a necessity.
But you already know that we love the Next Fest. We love playing demos, keeping up with the latest in video games, and discovering hidden gems and not-so-hidden ones. That’s why we’ve curated a selection, just for you, of the must-play games you can’t miss for anything in the world. Because, if there’s one thing for sure, it’s that in this list you’ll find at least a couple of demos you’ll definitely want to play.
Windblown
If you know Dead Cells, we don’t need to say more. Windblown is a game from the original creators of Dead Cells that takes the concept to 3D in a masterful way, refining the few loose ends it had. If you don’t know Dead Cells, besides encouraging you to go play right now, we can tell you that Windblown contains frenetic action, based on positioning and an absolutely fabulous dash, where the key is to be constantly moving at high speed through scenarios as magnificent as they are spectacular.
From intense battles, constant decisions, and tremendous customization in how we want to approach each of the fights, in this demo we still cannot test the great promise of this game: its co-op is for up to 3 people. But if it is even half as good as the solo game, we’re talking about a game of the year contender.
AI LIMIT
In this house, we really like Soulslike games, but none signed by From Software have truly captivated us. Perhaps that might change with AI LIMIT. Drawing much more from Bloodborne than from Dark Souls, although with aspects inherited from the latter as well, it is a game that rewards action over passivity to the point of bordering on hack’n’slash at times. This is aided by the fact that we don’t have a stamina bar to worry about, in one of the most radical changes we’ve seen within the genre.
That said, AI LIMIT still needs some adjustments and changes in its formula to be as good as it could be. Its bosses still feel rough and unfair, due to a parry that is somewhat unintuitive, unclear invincibility frames, and poorly telegraphed attacks. All things that can be fixed, make no mistake, and if they are fixed, we’re talking about a game with the potential to stand toe-to-toe with From Software games.
Tenebris Somnia
From Argentina with love, or at least with the intention to scare us, comes one of the most interesting horror games of recent years. With DNA from classic games like Clock Tower, Tenebris Somnia mixes pixel art graphic adventure elements with something we would never expect: live-action videos. In a masterful blend that helps enhance its atmosphere and the terror it evokes.
In this extended demo, different from the previous one we were able to try in a past Next Fest, we can see more puzzles, a bit of the game’s combat, and even the beginning of what seems to be a boss in the game. All of this convinces us that we are facing one of the most interesting and promising horror games of recent years.
Neo Harbor Rescue Squad
If you had a Nintendo DS, it’s likely you played Trauma Center. Those games where we took on the role of a surgeon who had to perform impossible operations under insane conditions, using all the buttons and features of the console. If you played them, you probably feel nostalgic for them. This is something that also happens to BancyCo because the inspiration for Neo Harbor Rescue Squad is so evident that it’s endearing.
Here we don’t embody a surgeon, but a paramedic. This means that the cases are less severe in terms of difficulty, although just as urgent, with an added extra: since we are the first line of patient care, we have to perform triage. This means we will always have two or more patients to attend to, and we will have to decide whom to treat and which of their injuries to prioritize, taking into account their severity and overall condition. We have to make these decisions almost instantly. All of this comes with very fun yet tense mini-games, and a more than interesting accompanying story.
STRAFTAT
If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember the countless hours spent playing in the cybercafé. If so, you probably remember playing Unreal Tournament, Quake 2, or games derived from them, based on frenetic action and constant violence. Well, that’s exactly what STRAFTAT offers, in its purest form: 1v1 duels, best of 3, where the first to win 5 different maps wins, in playlists of completely randomized maps.
With an absolutely masterful level design, weapons that always feel great to wield and shoot, and intentionally ugly graphics from the creators of one of our favorite turbo indie games, BABBDI, STRAFTAT is the dream of anyone who wants a frantic and crazy shooter where only three things matter: skill, the setting, and the weapons. Just like in the old days.
The Spirit of the Samurai
At first, it feels strange. Clunky. Its animations are a bit odd. Its graphics are unusual. But as we progress and get used to it, we see how it’s intentional, and we adapt to it. The Spirit of the Samurai starts to click with us. And that’s when the real enjoyment begins.
This is a hack’n’slash and it is absolutely delightful. Allowing us to customize our own combos, it is a game where even the most common enemy can make us bite the dust if we are careless. This makes exploration, advancing cautiously, and dedicating all our resources to defeating each enemy essential. And doing so is tremendously satisfying. A deep game with a surprisingly interesting narrative, with great potential, and in the demo, it does not show us the other two playable characters: a very grumpy cat and a kodama with samurai armor.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Imagine being a young woman who sees spirits, and one day someone offers her the chance to stop seeing them. Only for that same person to end up revealing to her that she has the power of psychometry, to see the psychic residues left by objects and people in their wake, and that she must now work solving supernatural cases to pay off a debt incurred unintentionally. Because that is what happens to the protagonist of Urban Myth Dissolution Center, a delight that will enchant fans of urban legends and detective games alike.
With exceptional artistic design and prodigious writing, Urban Myth Dissolution Center has a very simple gameplay loop: we investigate a possible urban myth case on the Internet, verify its truthfulness, deduce which myth it is, and deal with the consequences. This is a classic detective game, with beautiful pixel art and a very original theme, carried out with prodigious grace; a game to watch closely.