Steam Next Fest, or as I like to describe it, “E3 for PC Users” is currently running through the 16th of October. Next Fest lets players check out a massive lineup of unreleased games on Steam, playing through demos and more.. To make things a little easier, we went through the initial listings and pulled some games that are definitely worth checking out the demos for.
Return Alive
Interesting extraction-based looter-shooter with PvP and PvE elements. Return Alive looks like a mix of playing an ADC in league with the best parts of the early top-down shooters. Kill bad guys, get loot, call in your extraction and fend off opportunistic players hungry for your loot. There looks to be a bunch of different characters with all sorts of skills and abilities to get the good stuff and get out. This really looks like one of the more complete demos on the list and really looks like fun.
Sky: Children of the Light
Billed as a “Relaxing MMO”, Sky: Children of the Light looks a lot like Journey but as an MMO. I remember that they did a concert from Summer Games Fest, but I didn’t bother to check it out. Oddly enough it is still being advertised even though it ended in September. I’m not sure it’s my type of game, but it really reminds me of the early internet visual chat rooms in the way that a majority of the purpose seems to be connecting with others. I could see people really enjoy this one if they want something to just kick back and have a good time.
The Thaumaturge
The Thaumaturge is a turn-based RPG that really reminds me of the old PS3 game Folklore meets Disco Elysium. Taking place in 1905 Warsaw, it appears you tame and use Salutors, mythical demon-like creatures that only can be seen by Thaumaturges but do have the ability to interact with normal people. These Salutors look to be able to be summoned, like demonic Pokemon, to aid you in battle. From the previews, it appears your decisions shape your character and story. Of everything I’ve seen, this stands out the most. I can’t wait to dig into this demo.
ASTRA: Knights of Veda
First off, if you told me that this was a Vanillaware game, I’d have been like, “Awesome!” and then I’d have played it. Instead, ASTRA: Knights of Veda is billed as a Soulslike RPG featuring a mix of hack-and-slash combat with heavy RPG elements. This game looks absolutely stunning, and if it is remotely as good as it looks, this could be a big one. The game features stunning art, fantastic voice work and some really neat gameplay loops. Seriously, this is the most “me” game on the list. I can’t wait to find out it is as good as it looks.
Quantum Knights
Free to play, third-person, open-world shooter RPG. Yeah, I know that is a lot of descriptors for one game. Honestly, it’s not hard to call the looter shooter, Outriders, a failure. However, Quantum Knights looks like it has the potential to be just the game that everyone hoped the former would be. It's graphically impressive, with a lot going on. There seems to be a little Warhammer, a little wild west, a spattering of Destiny, and a whole lot of classic fantasy elements. If anything, it’ll be a game that I pick up and play for a bit. Watching the devs play it seemed like there is a bit more needed for the complete game, but the demo already is impressive.
The Last Faith
I know this isn’t exactly an RPG or an MMO, but hear me out. The Last Faith looks like a little bit of Bloodborne, a lotta bit of Blasphemous, and a whole lot of gothic horror. Crazy violent but with precise swordplay and combat. Peppered with larger-than-life bosses and some other crazy surprises, this one really looks like it has a lot of what can hold my attention these days. As soon as I saw Eric, the main character, light a dude on fire and then spartan-kick him away, I was like, "OK, I need to check this out!"
Ship of Heroes
Remember the old MMORPG City of Heroes? It was one of the earlier MMO games I played. Ship of Heroes does seem like it could be the spiritual successor to that. With the ability to customize your own hero with the looks and powers you want, I could really see the City of Heroes faithful find a lot of fun in this one. It may not have the most polish, but there is a lot of promise here. The demo was listed, then disappeared, and appears to be back. Just keep that in mind if you decide to check it out.
YOHANE THE PARHELION -BLAZE in the DEEPBLUE-
While I was scrolling through the huge list of Next Fest games, this neat little Metroidvania game caught my eye. My first impression was that it really looked like an Inti Creates game, which it turned out it was. The 2D sprites in the game look impressive and the general art was impressive. As I looked a bit more into this, I also realized it was part of the Love Live! Anime series. I don’t know anything about it at all, but I know it exists. Either way, it’s a licensed game by a reliable publisher. I already downloaded the demo.
Heaven's Paws
I’m a dog guy. I’ve grown up with them, my family as an adult has always had one or two. I’ve said goodbye to the best boys and girls over 40 years. Heaven’s Paws answers the question, “Do all dogs go to Heaven?” and looks to be an emotional and atmospheric puzzle platformer. It seems you take control of Max and his human as they both use their unique abilities to reach the end of their journey together. I think I know how this one ends, but I’m still all in on it.
The Last Flame
I’m not really big on Auto Battler games, but The Last Flame showed up on the live feed while I was scrolling through the game lists. I have to say there is a lot going on here. A ton of recruitable heroes, roguelike relic progression and weapons that allow you to synergize your own combat strategies. Like I said, there is a lot going on here and the battle effects were enough to hold my attention long enough to watch the whole trailer. I’ll be checking it out, this looks like it could be the Vampire Survivors of Auto Battler games.
Into Samomor
On the topic of games that are outside of my comfort zone but caught my eye, Into Samomor, is an action horror game that really looks interesting. 19 people have disappeared in Samomor and your friend, Jack, is now among the missing. As you work to solve puzzles and kill the entities threatening you, you also get to work with other friends and decide who is trustworthy and who is part of the mystery. This one looks surprisingly fun.
RoboCop: Rogue City
This one looks really fun. From what it looks like, this is a fresh take on the origins and story of Robocop. With some RPG elements and a ton of FPS elements and sleuthing, RoboCop: Rogue City looks like it really could be a more focused action RPG that is filled with the over-the-top gore and action that fans of the movie franchise have come to expect. It seems that there is a level of flexibility on how to cop in RoboCop, so you can be the best Alex Murphy there is. The guns seem absolutely ridiculous and combat is wild. I’m excited for this!
STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R
This is absolutely the most mainstream and AAA demo release on the whole list and probably all of NextFest. A remake of the classic 1998 Star Ocean: The Second Story, this takes the popular 2.5D art style and brings the game back to life in ways I’d never thought possible. I must pick this up when it comes out because I was a huge tri-Ace fan growing up. Also, my friend borrowed my PS1 copy of the original game in high school and scratched the second disk so the fight for the final boss wouldn’t load. I downloaded the demo before I even started putting this list together. You should too!
Enshrouded
Everyone remembers how cool Valheim was, right? Enshrouded looks like a much cooler version of that concept. In fact, looking at the demo for the game, I’d almost say this almost reminds me of a graphically impressive 3D Terraria, but with even more things to keep players busy. Featuring fluid combat, a robust skill tree, 16 player co-op, base building and town management, and all sorts of exploration, Enshrouded looks like the type of game that is going to become a time sink for a lot of people. This may actually be the most IMPORTANT demo available during Steam Next Fest.
Mortis Chronicles: Tale of Cowardice
Completely indie in almost every aspect, Mortis Chronicles: Tales of Cowardice looks like a love letter to Final Fantasy VI but made with RPG Maker? This doesn’t actually look bad, in fact I downloaded the demo as I’ve certainly learned that indie RPGs can really surprise you (Looking at you Sea of Stars). It just looks like outside of the pixel graphics and a surprisingly neat-looking combat system, Mortis Chroncles: Tales of Cowardice has some really rough edges but also looks like it could be a diamond in the rough! Keep an eye out for it and check the demo out..
I hope you get a moment to take a look at Steam Next Fest and try some of these games out. As always, these demos may not be around outside of the Next Fest event, which runs from 10-9 to 10-16. If you see something that we should check out, absolutely feel free to comment and let us know. We’re excited to dig through this further and report on our findings as well.
