With a busy November right around the corner, Steam Next Fest arrives this week as a delightful appetizer. From now through Oct. 26, PC players can try free demos for tons of upcoming games coming to Steam. It’s a great way to pass some time before the GTA 6 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time double-header by trying a unique smattering of games that could become your next indie obsession.
This week’s celebration is a little harder to navigate than usual, though. According to reports, there are more than twice as many demos featured in this fall’s edition compared to last year, with the rise of generative AI-filled games making it tougher to find true gold in the mountains. If you find it all a little intimidating, here’s a handful of demos we recommend checking out first.
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1
At Fate’s End
If you’re trying to find 2027’s potential Game of the Year among a sea of demos, you should go straight to At Fate’s End. The latest game from Spiritfarer developer Thunder Lotus is shaping up to be a unique fusion of 2D action game and narrative-driven family drama. You can get a taste of that in its lengthy demo, which features a stellar battle where two sisters work through their issues in a stage combat-like fight.
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2
Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered
There are plenty of brand-new games to try during Next Fest, but one of the most exciting demos out there is for a remaster. Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered returns a GameCube cult classic to glory with a spiffy touch-up complete with updated visuals and online play. It has aged remarkably well, as you’ll soon discover in a wildly fun demo that shows why Godzilla fans still love a brawler that didn’t review all too well in 2002.
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3
El Paso, Elsewhere 2
El Paso, Elsewhere was a bit of a hidden gem in 2023, delivering a retro ode to Max Payne that put developer Strange Scaffold on the map. The studio is working on its much-anticipated sequel, set to launch in 2027, and you can get a taste of it during Next Fest. While it’s a little rough around the edges, it’s enough to give you a sense of how the stylish slo-mo action is evolving in a sequel with more open space to dive around and lots of new monsters to slay.
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4
My Arms Are Longer Now
My Arms Are Longer Now has been firmly on my radar ever since I demoed it earlier this year. It’s a slapstick comedy game where you control a mischievous arm that is impossibly long. Its demo will give you a sense for its wacky humor, as you absolutely ruin people’s days by using your snake-like arm to cause chaos. It’s a bit of a puzzle game, but it’s more so a comedy sandbox in the vein of the very funny Thank Goodness You’re Here.
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5
Curse of Resthaven
After making waves in 2024 with the delightful Lil’ Guardsman, developer Hilltop Studios is back with something darker. Curse of Resthaven is a narrative roguelike where you need to find your lost niece on a cursed island. That task is made harder by the fact that you’re stuck in a time loop. Its free demo takes you through a full six-day loop and gives you plenty of suspects to question across the island. Demo progress will also carry over to the full game when it releases on Oct. 29.
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6
Guns of Eschaton
Guns of Eschaton impressed us when we tried it back at Gamescom, and you’ll understand why once you try its newly updated Next Fest demo, neatly timed ahead of its early-December release. The strange first-person shooter from the late Viktor Antonov, an art director who famously worked on Half-Life 2, is a visually arresting Soulslike that blends grim fantasy and old west gunslinging. The new demo includes a new character archetype to try, The Deadeye, so there’s a reason to dive in again if you’ve tried the game previously.
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7
Splatchinko
Cosmic horror Pachinko roguelike? Sure, why not. Splatchinko has the kind of grab bag elevator pitch that fuels a lot of indies these days, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t catch my eye. The demo will let you try out a particularly chaotic Pachinko game that takes place in outer space, among the aliens and Lovecraftian entities. If you love games like Balatro and Raccoin, I’m sure you’ll be just as thrilled by all the out-of-pocket builds you can seemingly craft here.
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8
Dumpster Gang
For those on the hunt for their next multiplayer obsession, may I turn your attention to Dumpster Gang? The co-op game offers the ultimate video game power fantasy by turning you and your friends into raccoons. Your job is, of course, to steal things and cause a mess, which kind of makes Dumpster Gang feel like a close cousin to Untitled Goose Game. Get some friends together if you’re curious about committing some furry crimes during Next Fest.
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9
Talaka
While there is undoubtedly no shortage of roguelikes to try during Next Fest, I recommend taking some time to try out Talaka. Why? Because developer Potato Kid’s debut game features a hand-painted visual style that you just have to see for yourself. With a story steeped in Afro-Brazilian mythology, Talaka is shaping up to be a unique project among the freshly rebooted Acclaim’s indie publishing efforts.
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10
Tearoom of Terror
I love a good murder mystery game. I also happen to love a good shop management simulator. Tearoom of Terror combines both of those ideas into one cup of dark comedy. Your goal is to solve the mystery of your murdered aunt from your newly inherited tearoom. As you talk to suspects, you’ll have to brew the perfect drinks and pair them with the best accompanying snacks. It’s a perfect demo for the spooky season, even if the full game isn’t scheduled to launch until early next year.
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