Steam Next Fest is currently underway, offering players access to hundreds of demos for upcoming games. The event, running until June 22, provides an opportunity to try out titles that may have garnered interest during recent showcases like Summer Game Fest.
To help navigate the sheer volume of available demos, Game Informer editors have curated a list of their favorites. The selection includes a variety of genres and styles, from action RPGs to peculiar narrative adventures.
Edge of Memories, developed by Midgar Studio, is highlighted as the second entry in their "Edge of" series. This action RPG features a vibrantly colored world inspired by both Japanese and French animation. The demo offers a glimpse into its fast-paced combat, which blends attacks, dodges, and companion combos, alongside a robust leveling system. The game is slated for a 2026 release.
Penguin Colony, from Origame Digital, presents a unique experience set in Antarctica circa 1939. Players control various penguins, able to switch between species like Emperor Penguins and chicks to overcome environmental obstacles. The gameplay involves navigating the icy terrain, diving underwater, and managing a stamina meter. The narrative appears to delve into unsettling discoveries made by human explorers, with the demo hinting at a strange and captivating story. It is also scheduled for a 2026 release.
Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle, developed by ジギタリス出版 (Digitalis), is described as a virtual tabletop game. It draws inspiration from interactive fiction books, allowing players to make choices that direct the unfolding narrative. The game features tactile elements and hand-crafted art, aiming to evoke a sense of discovery akin to finding an old book. Its release is planned for July 9.
Over The Hill, by Funselektor Labs Inc., is an exploration game focused on the journey itself. Players pilot an off-road vehicle through varied landscapes, charting the map and making discoveries. The game emphasizes gradual and careful navigation of challenging terrain, utilizing features like gear shifting and winches. A cooperative multiplayer mode is also available. This title is expected in 2026.
Demon Bluff, from UmiArt, offers a single-player roguelike social deduction experience that functions as a complex logic puzzle. Players use character cards to deduce who among them is untrustworthy, with the game employing if-then statements and deductive reasoning. It is anticipated for a 2026 release.
Well Dweller, a Metroidvania from Kyle Thompson, is set in a fantasy kingdom where birds have been hunted. Players control a member of a hidden bird family who must venture out to survive. The game features traversal tools unlocked through progression, such as a bow that can be used with a matchstick to create springboards. Its art direction is noted as resembling a dark fairy tale. The demo includes action sequences and a boss fight.
Duskfade, by Weird Beluga, is an action platformer drawing tonal and narrative inspiration from the film Treasure Planet. It features a protagonist wielding a keyblade-like sword and battling Heartless-resembling enemies. The gameplay mechanics include sword combat, double jumps, and air dashes, reminiscent of PlayStation 2-era action platformers. Duskfade is set to release on August 13.
Woodo, developed by Tiny Monks Tales, is a cozy game centered around assembling and coloring scenes. Players drag and drop pieces into their correct locations, which then fill with color and trigger animations. The game also tells the story of a fox adapting to country life. It is scheduled for a 2026 release.
Virtue and a Sledgehammer, from Deconstructeam and Selkie Harbour, centers on a protagonist wielding a large sledgehammer to destroy environments and combat sentient robots. The gameplay is described as cathartic, with weighty hammer swings and destructive physics. The narrative follows the protagonist on a rampage while searching for her sister and confronting her past. This game is also slated for a 2026 release. Game Informer plans to update its list with new recommendations throughout Next Fest.