10 Exciting Demos from Steam Next Fest

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10 Exciting Demos from Steam Next Fest

Steam Next Fest is here and has over a hundred demos, from fully-fledged development teams to solo developer efforts. With so many available, there are games for just about everyone. 

Here are ten demos from Steam Next Fest that especially caught our eye.

Demonic Supremacy 

Boomer shooters have quickly become a much-beloved sub-genre of FPSs, especially in the indie scene. Demonic Supremacy looks to combine two winning elements in an FPS: Boomer Shooter and heavy metal music. 

Recent titles like Metal: Hellsinger and BPM: Bullets Per Minute do a great job demonstrating just how hand-in-hand FPS games and heavy metal are. And from what we've seen so far of Demonic Supremacy, it's continuing that trend. 

Developed by solo developer ChiliDog Interactive, Demonic Supremacy is a retro-inspired shooter with music that hits as hard as the bullets flying across the screen. It's loud, bloody, and has lots of explosions. That sounds like a blast to me(Pun intended). 

Check out the demo here.

Brutal John

Continuing the retro FPS hype train is Brutal John. Developed by OldSchool Laws Interactive, Brutal John clearly has inspiration from FPS classics like Serious Sam, Doom, and Duke Nukem. And yes, that's a good thing. 

I don't know if Brutal John is all out of gum, but it's clear he's here to kick a lot of ass. Set in a world where crypto mining has gone horribly wrong and ruined Earth, it's up to Brutal John to make things right by shooting everything in sight. Big guns, big bosses, a protagonist smoking cigars, the works. 

Check out the demo here

En Garde!

Developed by Fireplace Games, En Garde puts you into the shoes of adventuring swashbuckler Adalia de Volador. 

Remember that early part of Aladdin where the elusive and fast-footed street rat adeptly evades the clumsy Arabian guards? And all the while taking the piss out of all of them? Picture that, add more swords, and you've got an idea of what you'll be doing in En Garde!

Utilize Adalia's grace, flair, and humor to defeat her foes, including the dastardly Count-Duke, and free the world from his tyranny. Make good use of the environment as much as Adalia's sword to come out on top in every encounter. 

Check out the demo here.

Pocket Bravery 

Developed by Statera Studio, Pocket Bravery is an upcoming retro 2D fighter game with a diverse cast of characters with a heavy emphasis on elemental-themed moves. Expect multiple game modes like Arcade Mode, Time Attack, and Survival. 

Pocket Bravery will release on Xbox One, Xbox S/X, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. If you like what you see, stay tuned for Pocket Bravery's appearance at EVO. 

In the meantime, check out the demo here

Paleo Pines

Farming/Life Sims have skyrocketed in popularity over the years, thanks largely to classics like Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley. You know what's better than a Farming/Life simulator? A Farming/Life simulator with dinosaurs. 

Developed by Italic Pig, Paleo Pines is a wonderful fictional island full of friendly dinosaurs. Befriend these creatures, have them help you develop your farm, build them their own sanctuaries, and explore more of what Paleo Pines has to offer. 

Farming in real life is hard work and not for everyone, but Farming Sims games are a nice way to kick back and relax while gaming. Paleo Pines looks like a welcome addition to the genre. 

Check out the demo here.

Broken Roads

For years now, many Fallout fans have wondered what a Fallout set outside America would look like. Until now, our best guesses were Metro 2033 and the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchises. But thanks to Drop Bear Bytes, we might have a better interpretation.

Broken Roads is a narrative-driven isometric RPG set in the post-apocalyptic outback world of Australia. Fans of Fallout 1 and 2 will immediately see the appeal of Broken Roads. The combat is turn-based, your choices matter, there are robust morality and skill systems, and there's even a pacifist playthrough option. Retro RPG fans rejoice. 

The demo allows you to play through the origin story of the Hired Gun, one of four origin stories from the complete game. You can check out the demo here.

Alterium Shift

Retro RPG fans are eating good this Steam Next Fest, and Alterium Shift is one of the show's best meals. 

Inspired by iconic RPGs like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, Alterium Shift is a retro JPRG that checks all the boxes a JRPG fan could ask for. 

There are three characters to choose from, a melee fighter, an archer, and a mage, with branching storylines depending on your choices. Each character brings something to the table the others do not, giving Alterium Shift more replayability to see how things pan out if you use one of the other two characters. 

Alterium Shift will launch into Steam Early Access on July 6. In the meantime, check out the demo here.

Sea of Stars

Developed by Sabotage Studio, Sea of Stars is yet another retro-inspired RPG (Retro is the word of the day, kids) turn-based RPG. 

Sea of Stars puts you into the shoes of two Children of the Solstice. Utilizing the powers of the sun and moon, the two Children must use Eclipse magic to fend off the evil monsters spawned by the Fleshmancer. 

Sea of Stars has a vibrant game world, an interesting art style, and all the gameplay elements you would expect from a retro-inspired turn-based RPG. If you like turn-based RPGs, chances are you're going to like Sea of Stars. 

Sea of Stars comes out on August 29. In the meantime, check out the demo here.

Moonstone Island

Can you guys tell that I like Life Sims?

Moonstone Island takes a different spin on the coming-of-age story. Instead of moving to Big Town from Little Lamplight after turning 16 in Fallout 3 or going on a journey to catch em all in Pokemon, in Moonstone Island, you're coming of age requires that you move to an island in the sky to learn alchemy. It could be a lot worse. 

With over 100 islands in a procedurally-generated world, your character must navigate their new home. Befriend some of the locals or even fall in love. Encounter, and tame wild spirits to fight alongside you and explore dungeons for loot and resources. Develop your set of skills and build your dream home away from home. 

Moonstone Island vaguely reminds me of Kairosoft's Beastie Bay but with a lot more engagement in the world. And seeing how I liked Beastie Bay, I'm sure I'll like Moonstone Island. And I'm sure many of you will too.

Moonstone Island is coming to PC sometime in the summer. In the meantime, check out the demo here.

Lies of P

Somebody call Iron Pineapple. I think he'll be excited about this one. 

Lies of P is an upcoming Souls-like game inspired by the classic tale of Pinnochio. Only in this story, instead of worrying about shady foxes, greedy puppeteers, and turning into donkeys, there are more sinister foes lying in the midst. 

Lies of P is less a light-hearted Disney classic and more a Belle Epoque horror tale. Set in the city of Krat, you must survive countless encounters with bizarre monsters, human and not-so-human. Along with a wealth of melee weapons, you have access to the upgradable Legion Arms, which Jackson Briggs may or may not ask to borrow for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 1. 

And yes, as a game inspired by Pinnochio, there will be lying in Lies of P. 

Interestingly enough, the developers of Lies of P have announced there will be a collaboration with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty as well. Details are still forthcoming. 

Check out the demo for Lies of P here.

From June 19 to June 26, you can experience some of the best to come in gaming. Don't miss out on the fun!

10 Exciting Demos from Steam Next Fest
Xavier Geitz
When not busy writing about Esports, the latest and greatest digital gaming deals, and reviewing video game, you can find Xavier wandering Morrowind's Telvanni Coast, tirelessly petitioning for a Timesplitters 2 remake, or trying to understand the Concept of Love.