Get ready to dive into the final days of Steam Next Fest 2024 with seven must-try demos that showcase the freshest and most exciting upcoming games. From roguelikes and rhythm adventures to stylish horror and quirky multiplayer, this curated list will help you discover your next favorite game before the festival ends. Don’t miss your chance to explore these standout experiences and support indie developers pushing the boundaries of gaming creativity.
Don’t sweat it – we’ve got you covered. We’ve pored over the mountain of new demos released in the lead-up to this year’s Next Fest and settled on our list of the seven must-play demos to try before Next Fest wraps up. From breakout hits like Children of the Sun and Mullet Mad Jack to more time-sensitive demos like the Metroidvania action-adventure Tales of Kenzera: Zau, these are the best demos of exciting upcoming games you should make the time to try out before Steam Next Fest wraps up on Monday, Feb. 12.
Children of the Sun
Children of the Sun is a unique supernatural sniper puzzle game where you control the trajectory and speed of a single bullet per level to eliminate cult members. Playing as The Girl, who possesses telekinetic powers, you must strategically plan and manipulate your shot to take down all enemies without missing. The game combines tactical precision with puzzle-solving, featuring stylized, neon-soaked visuals and a dark, gripping atmosphere. Its challenging gameplay encourages experimentation with bullet control mechanics, such as steering and accelerating the bullet mid-flight, making each level a satisfying test of skill and strategy.
Developer: René Rother
Release date: TBA
You remember 2008’s Wanted? Y’know, that one movie where James McAvoy played the son of an assassin who had the ability to “curve” the trajectory of bullets in midair? Well, this tactical puzzle shooter is kinda like that, only set in a hallucinatory world that resembles something straight out of a Suda51 game.
Players assume the role of a troubled young girl with telekinetic psychic abilities who embarks on a one-woman campaign of revenge as she works her way up to killing the leader of a cult. You only have one bullet to spare, but don’t worry: You have the ability to slow down time after every kill in order to ricochet your bullet to kill any remaining targets. The result is an experience that marries the patient precision of games like Sniper Elite and Hitman: Sniper Assassin with the grungy aesthetic chaos of Hotline Miami.
Hollowbody
Hollowbody is a survival horror demo that channels the spirit of early 2000s classics, putting you in the shoes of Mica, a black market shipper on a desperate mission to find her missing partner in a dystopian near-future. The game combines classic survival horror elements such as limited resources, puzzle-solving, and tense exploration with a cinematic mix of dynamic and fixed camera angles. Combat is basic and often encourages avoidance rather than confrontation, while the narrative and world-building create a strong atmosphere of dread and mystery. With multiple difficulty modes, accessibility options, and unlockable content, Hollowbody offers both nostalgia for hardcore fans and an accessible entry point for newcomers to the genre.
Developer: Headware Games
Release date: 2024
Hollowbody has been on our radar for a while now, with a release date expected sometime in 2024. Players assume the role of Mica, an unlicensed black market courier who crash-lands in a walled-off neighborhood on the outskirts of London on a mission to find her missing partner.
The demo takes roughly half an hour to complete and plays like a contemporary take on classic Silent Hill by way of Blade Runner, with players using a variety of scavenged tools and an augmented reality heads-up display to navigate the dilapidated area in order to advance. It’s a strong first impression of Hollowbody’s eerie mood and throwback mechanics, one that that makes us even more excited for the game’s final release.
Mullet Mad Jack
Mullet Mad Jack is a fast-paced single-player first-person shooter and roguelite set in a 2095 dystopian future where robot billionaires, known as Robillionaires, control the world. Players take on the role of Jack Banhammer, a “Moderator” who must navigate floors of a skyscraper, killing enemies within a strict 10-second timer that can be extended by dispatching foes and interacting with the environment. The game features a stylish 90s anime-inspired retro-future aesthetic, a variety of weapons including revolvers, shotguns, and elemental katanas, and multiple game modes such as campaign, survival, and boss rush. Its frenetic gameplay, combined with a satirical narrative about dopamine addiction and media manipulation, offers a uniquely addictive experience that blends fast action with strategic use of the environment.
Developer: Hammer95
Release date: TBA
Fans of old-school cyberpunk anime ought to check out the demo for Mullet Mad Jack, a fast-paced roguelike FPS that combines a throwback vaporwave aesthetic with a core gameplay mechanic that pokes fun at the attention economy. Players assume the role of Mullet Madjack, a “moderator” bounty hunter who specializes in killing nefarious “Robillionaires” while livestreaming their executions to his adoring fans.
You’re on a mission to rescue the planet’s most famous influencer from her robot captors, clearing through swaths of enemies across randomly generated levels to get to your target. There’s a catch, though: You’re living life 10 seconds at a time (literally), and the only way to replenish your rapidly depleting health is to blast away bad guys. If you enjoy stylish, satricical, and violent games like Neon White, Ultrakill, and Hotline Miami, you should definitely check this one out.
Pacific Drive
Pacific Drive is a first-person driving survival game set in a surreal, paranormal version of the Pacific Northwest’s Olympic Peninsula. Players navigate a vintage station wagon through the hazardous Olympic Exclusion Zone, scavenging for resources, repairing and customizing their vehicle, and avoiding supernatural anomalies and environmental dangers like radioactive storms. The game features a compelling loop of preparation, exploration, and extraction, with a strong emphasis on vehicle management and survival strategy. Each run challenges players to adapt to the unstable and hostile world while uncovering the mysteries left behind by a secretive organization. Pacific Drive offers a unique blend of roguelike progression and immersive driving mechanics, making it a standout title to try during Steam Next Fest 2024.
Developer: Ironwood Studios
Release date: Feb. 22
Pacific Drive, the upcoming “STALKER with a car” immersive sim from Ironwood Studios, is set to be released later this month. If you, like me, are itching to venture out into a supernaturally transformed version of the Pacific Northwest, or are just curious to see how the game actually feels to play, there’s a new demo available to try out ahead of the game’s release.
Players assume the role of a nameless character who, having been mysteriously transported inside a massive walled-off territory known as the Olympic Exclusion Zone, must search for a means of escape while traversing the world in their dilapidated station wagon. Scavenge for materials, salvage parts, and upgrade your vehicle to overcome the slew of environmental hazards this anomalous region has to throw at you.
Star Trucker
Star Trucker offers a unique twist on the truck simulation genre by setting the experience in outer space. Players take on the role of a cosmic trucker, piloting a rocket-powered big rig to haul cargo, scavenge salvage, and navigate the dynamic intergalactic highways of a vibrant galaxy. The game blends retro-futuristic Americana aesthetics with survival elements, requiring players to manage their truck’s systems, perform spacewalks for repairs, and trade goods in an ever-shifting galactic economy. With a fully voiced CB radio, customizable rigs, and a soundtrack filled with country blues and rock, Star Trucker delivers a charming, immersive journey for those seeking fame and fortune among the stars.
Developer: Monster and Monster
Release date: 2024
If you enjoy the tranquil, engaging gameplay of American Truck Simulator or the working class sci-fi storytelling of games like Hardspace: Shipbreaker or anime like Cowboy Bebop, you should definitely check out the demo for Star Trucker, an automotive space sim where you traverse the winding highways of the galaxy transporting cargo and take in all the dazzling cosmic vistas the universe has to offer.
From the cockpit of your rocket-powered big rig you’ll haul across the stars, salvage wares to trade and sell, talk with your fellow truckers on the radio, and even hop into a spacesuit to repair damages to your truck or just float around for a bit. The demo takes around 20 minutes to complete and is overall a relaxing and unique spin on the automotive sim genre.
Summerhouse
SUMMERHOUSE is a charming sandbox city-building game that invites players to craft tiny, beautiful lived-in homes across diverse environments like the sea, city, mountains, and desert. Developed by Friedemann and published by Future Friends Games, it offers a relaxing, open-ended experience with no rules or objectives, focusing purely on creativity and atmosphere. The game features a day-night cycle, weather options, and unlockable animations, allowing players to build at their own pace and style. With its cozy, laid-back vibe and intuitive building mechanics, SUMMERHOUSE is a perfect choice for those seeking a peaceful and imaginative escape during Steam Next Fest 2024.
Developer: Friedemann
Release Date: Mar. 8
Summerhouse, which we previously mentioned on our list of indie games to look forward to in 2024, is a tiny building game from solo developer Friedemann. It’s essentially a sandbox city builder where players can create tiny, picturesque homes in equally picturesque environment that you can customize. There are no rules or restrictions, just cute NPCs and good vibes. If that sounds like your jam, you can try out the demo for the game in the lead-up to the full release of Summerhouse on Mar. 8.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a heartfelt Metroidvania that blends fast-paced, skillful platforming with a deeply emotional story rooted in African folklore. Players control Zau, a young shaman on a quest to bring his deceased father back by confronting powerful spirits, using two masks that grant distinct sun- and moon-based combat abilities. The game stands out for its poignant narrative about grief and connection to ancestors, combined with satisfying mask-swapping combat and fluid movement mechanics like double jumps and dashes. While the gameplay is engaging, some players may find the exploration and map design less intuitive, and certain combat encounters repetitive. Nonetheless, it offers a unique and moving experience that distinguishes it within the genre.
Developer: Surgent Studios
Release date: Apr. 23
Fans of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown ought to keep their eyes on Tales of Kenzera: Zau, the upcoming debut title from Surgent Games run by Abubakar Salim (Assassin’s Creed Origins). The game made a big splash when it was announced during last year’s Game Awards, and the Steam Next Fest demo certainly builds on that momentum. Players assume the role of a young shaman who, grieving the loss of his father, embarks on a journey on behalf of the god of death in exchange for his father’s soul. You’ll traverse beautiful levels, solve puzzles, and battle enemies by wielding two different sets of powers.
Which demo before Steam Next Fest 2024 ends will surprise me the most
The demo most likely to surprise you before Steam Next Fest 2024 ends is DUCKSIDE, a survival shooter described as “imagine DayZ or Rust but you’re a duck.” Its quirky premise and unexpected gameplay twist have caught many players off guard, making it a standout among the festival’s demos. Another strong contender is Is This Game Trying to Kill Me?, a clever first-person horror escape room that blends in-game and real-world puzzle elements in a smart and surprising way. Both offer unique experiences that defy typical genre expectations and are well worth trying before the festival closes.
Which demo’s unique premise will catch me off guard the most
The demo with the most unique premise likely to catch you off guard is Dead Finger Dice, a point-and-click roguelike where you rig dice to beat evil billionaires in their own deranged games. Its blend of supernatural gambling, survival horror elements, and a retro MS-DOS aesthetic creates an unexpectedly fresh and intriguing experience that defies typical genre expectations.
