Twenty Demos You Should Play During Steam Next Fest 2021

Steam Next Fest is here, and we have twenty games that we think you should check out. We’re sure these are already on your radar, but if they aren’t, well, we’re doing our jobs. Let us know what you’ve been playing from the event taking place now through June 22.

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Ivanir’s picks:

BROK the InvestiGator

BROK the InvestiGator is an adventure game in a cyberpunk world with animals instead of humans. You control an alligator detective called Brok and try to find out the truth behind the incident that caused his wife’s death. The game combines classic adventure/point-and-click gameplay with beat’em up and RPG segments. The full game is expected for 2021.

The Legend of Tianding

The Legend of Tianding is an action game about a Taiwanese figure called Liao Tianding. Living in the early 20th century, he robs the rich and feeds the poor. With the story using a traditional manhua style and combat inspired by kung fu, it looks like a colorful and charming title.

Venice 2089

In Venice 2089, Nova is a bored teenager living in Venice. As the unpredictable tides make the city struggle and lose its once-famous monuments and tourist attractions, she explores the place with her hoverboard. Exploring, meeting people, collecting objects and hacking corporate billboards are some of the things players will have a chance to do.

Tormented Souls

Tormented Souls is a survival horror inspired by classics such as Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark. As twin girls disappear in a mansion, Caroline Walker decides to investigate. However, this ends up with her fighting for her life while looking for the truth. Puzzles are also a part of the package as the girl tries to survive the horrors of this mysterious place.

Please Be Happy

Please Be Happy is one of the upcoming yuri visual novels by Studio Élan. It tells the story of a fox who assumes a human form, but her contact with mankind makes her see their worst sides. Now a thief, she finally finds two girls who may be the ones to finally show her the kind and beautiful things of being human.

Azario’s Picks:

Blast Master Zero 3

It’s time to continue the adventure of Jason and his crew as they travel back to the planet Sophia in Blaster Master Zero 3. Come on; this is a must-play 2D action platformer from the developers of Mega Man Zero and Gunvolt series. There are two different gameplay modes that switch, whether you’re traveling around in G-SOPHIA SV or taking out enemies as Jason. This is one of the demos that we strongly encourage you to check out.

Wolfstride

All it really takes to get my attention are mechs and maybe bathing suit DLC, but mostly mechs. Wolfstride delivers on the idea of a mech battle championship with the added dose of creating a stylish cast of characters who even I’d like to hang out with. Gameplay has players customizing their mech, maintaining it, and strategically taking down enemies and turn-based battles. Sign me up.

Sable

Hang out with Sable as she discovers the world around her through a rite of passage test known as Gliding. Players can jump on a hoverbike and explore bright environments full of unique set pieces that aim to drive the narrative forward. You can also customize your bike, talk with NPCs, and complete puzzles to unlock more.

Yuoni

Yuoni just looks creepy AF and will briefly introduce you to the nightmare of the full game.

Unsighted

In Unsighted, players take control of Alma, who is on an adventure to recover her memories and save her friend from becoming “Unsighted.” What does that mean exactly? Well, we can’t do everything for you! Play the demo and find out. We’re sure you’re going to enjoy the visual pixel presentation of this action-adventure.

Road 96

Ever wanted to take a risky road trip? How about hundreds of them? In Road 96, you aim to hitchhike away from the authoritarian nation of Petria. With each mile of the journey comes new choices for you to make that will affect your adventure and the people you meet along the way. Play through procedurally-generated road trips and see what kind of crazy stuff can happen.

Semy’s Picks:

In Sound Mind

In Sound Mind looks to be quite the creative and imaginative spin on the psychological horror genre. As you wake up in an abandoned and inexplicable building, you find that the environment has a life of its own, and the game exposes you to the victims of a chemical attack. Roam through this first-person horror title that has witty dialogue, frantic puzzles, and heart-pounding boss battles.

Chernobyl Liquidators Simulator

Rather than fighting monsters and mutants, Chernobyl Liquidators Simulator provides a realistic look at the crew that tried to contain the radiation disaster of Chernobyl. Help save the people and conspire with the government in this first-person disaster clean-up simulator. The decisions are not as easy as they seem as they involve the lives of innocent people and animals. Will you blindly follow orders or take your own initiative?

Misc. A Tiny Tale

Reminiscent of the Chibi-Robo games, Misc. A Tiny Tale looks to be a fun and heartfelt take on the 3D platformer genre. Experience the adventure tales of Buddy and Bagboy, two tiny robots as they hop and explore the world. Collect cogs and items to help the other bots around you and have some solid platforming fun.

Glitched

A glitch appears in the game-world of Soren, and an NPC named Gus starts to be very aware of you as the player. Travel with Gus to solve the mystery behind the glitch and save his world from destruction. Connect with people, fight enemies, raise monsters, and make your own path in this story-rich RPG.

White Shadows

In the cinematic and dark world of White Shadows, you play as a little raven girl, aiming to escape this huge city and its twisted trials. In this world, humanity is half-human, half-animal. All that remains of civilization is inside The White City. To protect against a pandemic, the city’s residents cover their skin in bright light, but their safety is based on a lie. As the raven girl, you try to escape the confines of this dystopian world and into a haven known as Tin Town, where the last free people live.

Rogue Spirit

As the ghost of a prince, it is up to you to save your Kingdom of Midra and defeat the demonic invaders in Rogue Spirit. You must stealthily possess enemy characters and absorb their skills, adapting your combat style with each character skill-set. Each defeated enemy becomes an opportunity to better your chances of survival. It’s cool to see some roguelite action and stealth with a twist.

Sephonie

Sephonie is a ginormous island with a massive cave network that has a lot to explore. Follow a trio of biologists and navigate these caverns, facing unidentifiable creatures and elaborate geological structures. As you go on this journey, you get to learn more about the trio, their relationships, and the world around them. Plus you get to wall-run, jump and solve puzzles in this mysterious and gorgeous game.

Colin’s Pick:

Super Magbot

Super Magbot is a charming, retro-style platformer that takes every bit of muscle memory you’ve learned from Super Meat Boy and uses it against you. The player character can’t jump and instead must use the power of his magnet gun to attract and repel himself from platforms to dodge projectiles, traps, and even lava to reach the end of each level and save the Magnetia Star.

Heather’s Pick:

Beat Souls

Beat Souls is a Rhythm game that has you face Yokai in dance battles. Need I say more?