The latest Steam Next Fest has concluded, including a number of great games and undiscovered gems, allowing players to try out a dizzying amount of game demos. Valve has announced the top 50 most played demos during the fest, and we have a wide genre of games from relaxing titles such as RoadCraft and Is This Seat Taken? to more tense experiences such as Gothic 1 Remake and New Zealand’s own Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights below!
Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days – PikPok
Of course we need to start off with our NZ studio, PikPok, and their upcoming side-scrolling shelter survival game heading to early access, Into The Dead: Our Darkest Days. Their demo underwent a recent update for Steam Next Fest and reached #19 on the most played list! PikPok has recently shared that their next big announcement will air during the Future Games Show Spring Showcase on March 20. Can anyone guess what that might be?
RoadCraft – Saber Interactive
From Saber Interactive, the developers of SnowRunner and Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, comes RoadCraft, hitting #3 on the most played list. RoadCraft retains the hyper-realistic vehicle physics players are used to, but instead of navigating your many vehicles across landscapes, you’ll be rebuilding the environment itself!
Gothic 1 Remake – Alkimia Interactive
Hitting #4 on the most played list is Gothic 1 Remake. This remake of the original 2001 action RPG is bringing the series to a new audience, complete with a great visual uplift in Unreal Engine 5. Players can step back into the Valley of the Mines in this “hand-crafted, organic open world that reacts dynamically to your actions.”
Is This Seat Taken? – Poti Poti Studio
Coming in at #22 is the logic puzzle game, Is This Seat Taken? An interesting and unique take on the puzzle genre where you meet people’s particular requests. A nice, relaxing change of place after one of the more tense games on this list!
Dragonkin: The Banished – Eko Software
The ARPG genre is in good hands with many games leading the charge; one such example is Dragonkin: The Banished, releasing into early access and reaching #35. Take on the role of warriors battling the draconian threat with a unique upgrade mechanic called the Ancestral Grid.
Wanderstop – Ivy Road
Wanderstop is a wonderfully unique set of ideas, hitting #31 on the most played list. From the creator of The Stanley Parable comes Wanderstop, a narrative-centric cozy game about change and tea. The title character, Alta, however, doesn’t want to be in this cozy environment, having recently fallen in battle and dealing with her own grievances, and longs to reclaim her glory in the field.
Steam Next Fest showcased a variety of games; check out the full list here and be sure to wishlist your favourite titles!
