Even though Steam Next Fest is over, we’re still sorting through all the games it put on our radar. While Steam’s recurring free demo event was invaded by generative AI games, it still featured plenty of human-made projects that cut through the slop. We’ve walked away from the event with a very long wishlist of upcoming PC games.
To tie off the event, we combed through the most played demos during Steam Next Fest and pulled out the gems. Here are six games you’ll want to add to your wishlist, whether you’re a fan of co-op games, management sims, or volleyball.
1
Frostrail
Image: FakeFish/Shiro Unlimited
Frostrail feels like a long-lost cousin of Frostpunk. The co-op shooter has you and your friends managing a steam-powered train as it barrels through a dangerous frozen wasteland. (Train games are all the rage right now, it turns out.) You’ll have to scavenge for parts while fighting off horrifying monsters that lurk in the snow. It’s a perfect game for those upcoming winter months.
2
Abyssal Lapidary
Image: Light Worm/XD
Abyssal Lapidary puts a very unique twist on the management sim genre. It puts you in charge of a gem shop, where you’re tasked with extracting minerals out of stone before turning them into precious jewelry. On top of that, the game has an eerie gothic setting that promises a layer of mystery.
3
Just Volleyball
Image: Temkosoft
The title says it all: This is just volleyball. Developer Temkosoft is working on a casual sports game that translates the simple joy of volleyball to a multiplayer PC game. Considering that there aren’t a lot of volleyball games out there, Just Volleyball is shaping up to be a little delight that calls back to the golden era of old-school sports games.
4
Deadzone Rogue 2
Image: Prophecy Games
Deadzone Rogue was once the roguelike genre’s best kept secrets, but I imagine its sequel is about to change that. Deadzone Rogue 2 promises to bring an even more intense first-person shooter experience filled with busted builds and meta progression that will push your power to its limits.
5
Loftia
Image: Qloud Games
For the cozy gamers out there, Loftia is the game to check out coming out of Steam Next Fest. The upcoming farming sim, hitting early access on Nov. 3, lets you and your friends care for an island town together. Everything you want from the genre is there, including cute pet companions that you can dress up.
6
Wyldheart
Image: Wayfinder Studios
Getting a party together to play Dungeons & Dragons is hard, but Wyldheart might be the more flexible alternative your party needs. The co-op action RPG sends players into “bite-sized” fantasy campaigns with seamless drop-in and drop-out options. PC players seem to be excited about it considering that it has racked up 500,000 wishlists on Steam.
