All games we have reviewed or produced research content about, from curator deep dives to Next Fest analyses and quick X notes.
87 games
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A $6 hide-and-seek party game where you paint yourself into the scenery — built solo in ~2 months and ~4M copies sold in days. A textbook case of a simple idea hitting at the right time.
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Chaotic 3-player co-op bomb defusal party game where blind, deaf, and mute monkeys must communicate in a minivan workshop to defuse bombs. The runaway #1 most-played demo of Steam Next Fest June 2026 with over 1M players.
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A roguelike deckbuilder with a delicious cooking twist, where mythic ingredients and magical kitchen tools create strategic combos to feed hungry hordes.
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A gorgeous ink-wash action roguelite with deep buildcraft, Chinese folklore, and fluid combat that stands out in the genre.
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A surreal fishing mystery game that blends meditative angling with quiet psychological tension and discovery.
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A puzzle-platformer where beliefs literally shape the world — Bulbo believes everything he is told, turning knowledge into both tool and obstacle.
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An interface mystery adventure set inside an old computer desktop, unraveling secrets through files, windows, and diegetic puzzles.
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A 3D action platformer capturing the magic and nostalgia of PS2-era mascot platformers with modern touches.
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A player-driven crafting shooter on colossal post-apocalyptic megatrains — scavenge, craft, build, and fight your way toward First Class or escape with loot.
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An open-world fantasy survival-craft RPG with solo or co-op base building, role-playing, and exploration across mysterious biomes.
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A brutal dieselpunk heavy-artillery experience focused on immersive controls, tactical problem-solving, and commanding a colossal war machine.
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A fast-paced first-person arcade cyberpunk shooter channeling 2000s FPS energy with fluid gunplay and modern polish.
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A cozy-punk narrative sim about working in a struggling indie record store, recommending music and uncovering story through dialogue.
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A dark fairy-tale Metroidvania with polished movement, strong atmosphere, and a clear hook for genre fans.
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Dark action-adventure in 1666 Amsterdam. Stealth, red-tinted magic action, black cats in gothic 1600s Dutch setting. Prologue/demo live for Next Fest; 500k+ wishlists in a week. From Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets. Cinematic story setup.
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Top-down post-apocalyptic survival. Father on journey to save sick daughter, scavenge, build homestead, form community, defend lawless world. Demo with survival mode (scavenging, exploration, combat, base building teaser); fest visibility.
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Bus sim sequel with licensed buses, company management, realistic driving. Demo updated with DLSS/FSR from fest feedback; launch Sept 8, 2026. Relaxing sim with potential chaos.
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Car repair/build sim sequel with 150+ cars, 8k+ parts, modular engines, now co-op. Run workshop, fix/expand collection. Demo (single player + co-op tease) for Next Fest; relaxing sim experience.
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Unforgiving cave-exploration survival simulator. Test subject retrieving cargo on hostile planet with 11 layers. High tension survival. Demo had high positive reviews.
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Pirate city-builder. Build sprawling haven, production chains, rowdy crew, fleet to explore seas and fight Crown. Demo "best game" with 91% positive (538 reviews), 250k+ wishlists; release ~July 2026. Vibrant pirate strategy with economy and naval.
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Medieval county-builder on a grand scale. Build entire county with multiple settlements, lay out on grid, manage trade, mayors, nobles, cultures. Demo extended after Next Fest; hit 100k wishlists. Big-scale city-builder with historical flavor.
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Soothing simulator restoring forgotten video game cartridges. Tear wrapping, peel stickers, clean, bring old games back to life. Tactile cozy nostalgia. Demo with patches during Next Fest, strong wishlist growth to 200k+.
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Dungeon crawler/exploration survival where food is progress. Hand-crafted puzzly dungeon with metroidvania/crafting; solo or co-op (up to 3). Demo with new food systems, improved combat; "Dungeon Meshi"-inspired (Delicious in Dungeon) vibe.
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Single-player social deduction roguelike card game where cards lie. Demons infiltrated village disguised as allies; turn cards, deduce bluffs using logic. Roguelike deckbuilder tension. Demo with updates for Next Fest; unique "logic puzzle" social deduction.
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3-6 player social deduction auction/bluffing party game. Bid, trade, deceive, and manipulate in voice-chat heavy high-stakes rounds. Demo available during fest.
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Anime-style open world RPG without gacha. Explore the Continent of Orbis, choose from characters, action combat or story. Demo selected as "Most Played" during Next Fest; full game launch July 2026.
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Base-building or colony sim with dungeon fantasy elements. Settle, build, manage resources and defense in underground environments. Reached 120k wishlists with Next Fest visibility contributing to community support.
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Classic single-player RTS with grand strategy and 4X elements. Non-linear campaign on a bleak, soot-covered planet. Base-building, army command, resource management, and procedural maps. Solo-dev passion project emphasizing dee...
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Third-person SAO action RPG in the floating castle of Aincrad. Weapon progression across styles, vast beautiful world, ARPG customization and combat. High-visibility Next Fest demo from Bandai Namco.
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Dark fantasy isometric action RPG/MMORPG with fast-paced, brutal gory combat. Fight as the last hope of House Harborwell against elven invaders. Tactile combat, classes, and atmosphere from Nexon. Active demo with player feedback integration.
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Fast-paced 6v6 movement shooter from the Splitgate team, heavily inspired by Titanfall 2. Features fluid wall-running, grappling, holojumps, mech piloting and gadget play ("P.A.I.N.T.") across vertical streets in the city of Fr...
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Fast-paced 5v5 online multiplayer soccer with unique position roles and skills. Arcade-driven with realistic graphics. Demo with crossplay (Xbox, Steam, PS5) during Next Fest; strong player participation and thanks.
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Physics-based 1-4 player co-op disaster about stumbling home after a wild night out. Drunk friends roped together create hilarious chaos through bad physics and worse decisions. Silly, shareable party co-op with side quests. Fun Next Fest demo for groups.
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Sequel mining sim with narrated adventure, new machinery. Demo (story intro/tutorial ~10% content) hit Top 50 most-played; extended support and thanks from Code Horizon.
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Co-op horror extraction with a robot scavenger theme. Loot ruins for items to build a base while using gadgets, weapons, and surviving chaos. Blends tension, humor, and physics-driven fun. Frequently compared to Lethal Company...
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Hybrid incremental game and platformer. Amass clones for optimized paths, generate massive power, blend speedrunning precision with addictive progression. Next Fest demo with B-sides, hard mode, raffle updates from Pepper Tango Games.
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1-4 player co-op psychological horror adventure about a cursed board game. Roll dice to summon horrors, explore, survive, and beat the Gamemaster (voiced by Amelia Tyler) to win freedom. Jumanji-inspired co-op survival with dark comedy. Demo live during Next Fest with multiple boards.
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Classic tower defense sequel with new stages, heroes, and modes. Strategic wave defense and hero abilities in the Kingdom Rush formula. Top 20 most-played demo success with 94k+ players and extended demo from Ironhide.
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4-player online co-op horror extraction with pirate scallywags breaking a curse amid monsters, chaos, and treasure. Chaotic teamwork in extraction runs. Next Fest demo hit Top 50 most-played with strong CCU peaks.
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Dark fantasy PvPvE action extraction ARPG. Build Gyldhunters with skills, talents and gear, battle corrupted monsters and rival players, extract loot or lose everything. Day-one chart dominance at Next Fest.
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Standalone soulslike action-RPG sequel with unrestricted, adrenaline-charged combat. Possess Shells with unique abilities, deep weapon upgrades, open world exploration in a ravaged world. Open Beta during Next Fest with RTX support drew strong interest.
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Top-down PvE extraction shooter in anomalous dimensions. Explore, loot, terminate threats, and extract in retro multiplayer co-op (up to 4 players). Demo climbed charts during Next Fest, with strong visibility and extended availability.
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Repair rundown RV and hit the road solo or co-op (1-4 players) through procedurally generated post-apocalyptic world. Gather resources, customize fully interactive RV, survive. Demo during Next Fest with strong CCU; post-apoc survival/crafting with vehicle focus.
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Dark fantasy samurai action from Capcom. Brutal, satisfying sword combat with one/two-handed styles, soul absorption, exploration, and intense bosses in a twisted Edo-period world. Highly praised demo with strong anticipation for Sept 25 launch.
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Massive puzzle adventure from Jonathan Blow. Vast realm of magic and enigma with intricate puzzle design. Demo was large and ambitious, reaching high placements.
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Stylized off-roading exploration from the Art of Rally team. Drive iconic 60s-80s vehicles solo or with friends across scenic challenging wilderness trails. Authentic, relaxed driving in the golden age of offroading.
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1-4 player co-op horror adventure where every door leads to a world that shouldn't exist. Shifting maze of traps, anomalies, and creatures. Explore with unprepared friends, secure threats, whisper theories. Demo live during Next Fest with co-op focus.
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Cozy narrative-driven electronics repair shop sim set in mid-2000s Tokyo. Tactile disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly of nostalgic phones, virtual pets, consoles, and devices. Relaxing Unpacking-style satisfaction with shop management. Standout cozy demo with massive wishlist impact.
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Incremental tower defense vs. overwhelming (100k+) orcs. Place/upgrade turrets, rain bombs, defend base. Short with roguelite meta-progression; demo for Next Fest, quick 50k wishlists. Horde defense TD.
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Y2K Beyblade-inspired roguelite. Build battle-tops with 60+ parts, merge powers, skate vibrant city, gamble lunch money, dominate in chill roguelite battles. "If you die in the game..." joke. Demo short but nostalgic with PS1 vibes; must-try throwback.
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Skill-based physics-driven multiplayer football. Play as one player in 5v5? matches; dribble, pass, shoot with real skill/physics, no RNG, teamwork/execution. Demo evolving with playtests for Next Fest; top played, thanks to players. From Oddshot (Slapshot devs).
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Medieval strategy sim reboot. Choose profession, master trade/politics/intrigue, climb social ladder, found dynasty in 15th century Europe. Demo with 14 turns in Kuttenberg during Next Fest; absorbing economic strategy with life sim elements.
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1-4 player (solo viable with bots) co-op Lovecraftian extraction horror. Explore a cursed 16th-century South American jungle as treasure hunters. Face reality-altering monsters and sanity-draining cosmic horror. Demo offered fi...
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Physics-based co-op adventure with raccoon squad. Scavenge trash, fill stolen shopping cart with treasures, parkour hazards, annoy locals, team up to get home. Demo live for Next Fest with clip contests; absurd chaos for up to 5 players.
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Rage-comedy trap game where trees actively hate and trap you. Humorous suffering through puzzle/trap navigation. Next Fest demo updates, official trailer feature, listed among weirdest demos. Shareable laughs from Tykenn.
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First-person action soulslike from Ghostrunner creators. Rise as Napoleonic soldier in dark alternative history. Brutal combat with supernatural/horror twists. Demo offered substantial slice and was frequently in "best of" lists.
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Melancholic first-person parkour adventure in a dystopian brutalist city. Bureaucracy turns a simple task into an odyssey. Demo with multiplayer and new maps during Next Fest. Atmospheric exploration with unique visual style.
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2.5D pixel art extraction action RPG. Manage BALUSHA antique shop in anomalous city, send solo or co-op Divers into the abyss for artifacts, fight horrors, escape alive. Major Demo 2.0 update for Next Fest, reached Top 50 most-played with strong wishlist momentum.
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A space customs simulator in the Papers, Please tradition. Inspect alien travelers on a remote asteroid checkpoint, compare documents and appearances, and use your shotgun to stop terrorists before they blow up your planet. Charming, tense, and unhinged from a small Russian indie duo.
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Hybrid sci-fi RTS/RPG. Commander of The Protectorate in galactic war. Cinematic story-rich campaign with RTS battles, RPG elements, co-op. Demo with modes including Galactic War; Early Access July 20, 2026. Strong RTS visibility.
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A solo-developed dark fantasy set in a world rotting under cosmic powers. Wield a primordial gauntlet, fight distorted inhabitants, use tainted artifacts, and uncover an ancient war. Ambitious and deliberately unguided—meet it through the demo.
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Roguelite action RPG starring a warrior from 2000 awakened inside a retro PC. Fight virus hordes, turn RAM sticks and Wi-Fi antennas into weapons, and rebuild the machine. Demo plus Early Access: try the chassis before supporting the build.
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Fast action roguelite: fuse embers, cards, and gear until the run breaks. Sharp combat, deep builds, and an honest Early Access contract. Buy for the fight loop—the narrative and roster are still climbing toward 1.0.
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First-person psychological horror about faith, isolation, rigid family rules, and a home slowly curdling around you. Its fear lives in routine, silence, and glances—not just monsters. Mature themes; the demo is the honest way into the house.
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Overgrown garden in, clean order out. Mow grass, pull weeds, collect trash, trim hedges, water plants, and restore each space without timer pressure. Pure satisfaction-sim logic. If cleanup games are medicine, this demo is an easy install.
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Decorate a forest café, befriend animal regulars, and bake or brew to the beat. It is low-stress, creative, already released, and carrying a Very Positive Steam reception. No free demo; this is the full cozy recommendation.
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Boss-rush dark fantasy built around Focus: expose weak points, build pressure, dodge for fuel, and thrust when it counts. No open-world filler—just bosses, pixel craft, and mastery. The free demo is the honest first step before July 22.
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One wall-crawling spider hunts four underdog insects through a rundown hotel. The bugs rescue allies and dodge traps while the predator wraps prey in cocoons. Asymmetrical online chase energy—grab the demo and bring friends.
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Pixel psychological horror in a closed psychiatric hospital: a red chair, a classified file, and a heartbeat shaped by memory. No classic chase—the panic is internal. Heavy themes of grief, guilt, and depression; begin with the demo.
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A hyper-abstract city sim where every car and commuter reroutes in real time while traffic pulses with the soundtrack. Zone, draw roads, and watch the flow breathe—without popup or spreadsheet grind. Headphones on; start with the demo.
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Rhythm platformer where your drum loop becomes the level: kicks launch, snares push, hi-hats stretch timing. Build an 8-step beat, climb as the tempo rises, and chase the leaderboard. Headphones on—the demo is the right first step.
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A cozy desktop idle train that runs along the bottom of your screen while you work. Add cars, grow crops, haul cargo, trade, and carry passengers through a pixel world. Compact mode sells the idea; let the Steam demo take the first trip.
Open session note →Physics-based roguelite tower defense with a refreshing central hook: enemies have no health, so the whole fight becomes about pushing, throwing, and engineering the right kind of chaos.
Read X note →Already a success — just showcased at the Future Games Show. Our own Paradoxical was at this festival too, so we know how hard it is to stand out…
Read X note →A roguelite deckbuilder built solely for co-op, from a Malaysian indie team (published by Rising Tide): you and one friend team up as two adventurers…
Read X note →Team Lazerbeam (published by the mighty Devolver Digital) starts the festival with roughly 9.5k followers — and it will undoubtedly grow from there…
Read X note →From solo dev Rafael Diniz; the game started the festival with 27 followers. You play as Ryn, the apprentice from Ironfield School who gets chosen…
Read X note →From the two-person South African studio — Sam Alfred (designer of the BAFTA-nominated Terra Nil) and Skye Scott. We think this game might be a banger…
Read X note →A tactical roguelike from a small self-published indie team. It enters the festival with just 7 followers — exactly the kind of underdog we like to spotlight…
Read X note →A compact card roguelike where every flip of a card drains your hunger bar. Run out of food and you start to starve — sitting at around 304 followers…
Read X note →Enters the festival with 433 followers — a nice number. A roguelite deckbuilder that turns the "just five more minutes" loop into its whole pitch…
Read X note →We played through the full demo of this turn-based roguelike. It starts the festival with 177 followers, and there is a lot to like here…
Read X note →Starting with only 4 followers. You generate slimes with gel, then gamble (coin tosses, chinchiro dice) to boost their stats — wins skyrocket power and unlock fusions…
Read X note →We were intrigued because it reminds us of 9 Kings, with its turn-based strategy, deck-building and fortress construction. It started with 28 followers…
Read X note →Starts the festival with only 34 followers. The 3D aesthetic is really nice — tiered graphics from copper to platinum, plus dynamic camera angles in fights…
Read X note →Kicked off the event with 2,089 followers — already good early interest. We spent a good chunk of time with the full demo and really enjoyed the core loop, a semi-real-time action dark…
Read X note →A relaxing roguelike deckbuilder that mashes up Scrabble word-building with Balatro-style boosters and jokers. Scriver starts the festival with 11 followers — we are curious to see how it plays out…
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