Steam NextFest has returned to cement its place as the gaming preview experience (at least for games that will appear on Steam). Thousands of independent developers and publishers showcase their games through demos and video streams.
It’s a great chance to see what some of 2023’s surprise hits might be. A bunch of games really stood out—here is the first roundup of NextFest games we’ll be putting our our wishlists.
Voidtrain [Steam Link]
Step into the void, a collection of dimensions you travel through on a train, improving it with the materials and technologies you discover along the way. Voidtrain looks like a very polished first-person shooter meets crafting/survival game. Up to four players can join in a session to explore alien worlds, trying to find the train’s inventor—and hopefully a way out of the void.
A Tower Full Of Cats [Steam Link]
It’s in the name: developer Devcats makes cat-themed games, most often quirky hidden object titles. Explore beautiful line-art scenes hiding hundreds of cats, in this case, a massive tower full of eclectic setpieces and secret areas. It’s very zen, and the smooth soundtrack will help hours melt away as you hunt around for the furry critters.
Die By The Blade [Steam Link]
No chance of button-bashing in this game. Die By The Blade is a precision 1v1 battle game where two fighters square off with swords. But unlike over vs games, there are no health bars or special moves, and a fatality means decapitating your foe with a skilful sweep. Parry, dodge attacks; the right timing and angle can end a fight in one blow. This is Street Fighter for serious people.
The Last Starship [Steam Link]
Introversion is a true indie OG studio, having developed classics like DEFCON, Darwinia and Prison Architect. Now they turn their stripped-down aesthetic and well-crafted gameplay towards space. Captain a starship, assign staff, find resources, trade (or fight with other groups), and build the craft as you see fit. The Last Starship looks epic.
My Dream Setup [Steam Link]
Chill out after a hard day by designing your dream room. My Dream Setup has no score or time limits. All you have to do is design a room, adding carpets, paint, furniture and gadgets. You can also stream your favourite Youtube mix link, which will vibe in the background. Providing this game has lots of stuff to use for decoration, this “game” should be a fun time sink.
Bleak Sword DX [Steam Link]
Fight your way through arenas, beating back spawning monsters during increasingly-tougher stages in this roguelike brawler. The art style stands out, blending 3D with pixel art, and the combat system has nuance, rewarding timing and parries. It was initially an Apple Arcade game, with the new PC version will add extra content.
Orten Was The Case [Steam Link]
A teenager wakes up after blacking out, and he can’t remember what happened. Now he keeps repeating the same day. Explore an open world in this quirky-looking adventure game, uncovering the strange city of Orten’s secrets. The surreal 2D art style really pops out when things are in motion —this looks like a trippy and unique game.
King’s Orders [Steam Link]
If regular strategy is just too easy and lacking for you, how about commanding warfare the way kings actually used to? Manage a medieval war on multiple fronts, mixing board game and real-time mechanics. Beware: your orders travel in real-time, and messengers can fail to reach their destination, leading to significant consequences. It’s not easy being king…
Return [Steam Link]
Dark, gloomy and foreboding—Return is a side-scroller survival horror rendered in moody pixel graphics where you explore a dying planet for the parts to repair your ship. Uncover new areas and unlock waypoints, returning to your ship with upgrades that will help you get further. But it won’t be easy, so luckily, you respawn at the start of a level when you die.
Builders of Greece [Steam Link]
Head back to the golden age of Mediterranean civilisation and create a Greek city that will become the jewel of the ancient world. Manage the economy, engage in trade and diplomacy, and above all, keep your people happy! Developer Strategy Labs is a seasoned hand at this genre, as is obvious by the lush and detailed visuals.
