Steam Next Fest has arrived, bringing us tons of new demos to play until Monday, October 16th. But with literally hundreds of new demos being showcased and so little time, it can be difficult to choose the best games from Steam Next Fest to try.
Of course, there are tons more demos during Steam Next Fest, and we can’t test them all, but here are some of the best demos we found this year.
The Best Next Fest Demos 2023
1. The Thaumaturge
Looking for something truly unique? The Thaumaturge ticks all the right boxes. It’s an upcoming RPG game that manages to capture multiple genres and create something both captivating and weird at the same time.
From the developers of Frost Punk 2, The Thaumaturge offers a unique blend of detective, and turn-based gameplay, as well as an incredible story and impressive voice acting.
You can download and play the demo on Steam right now, or have a look through our The Thaumaturge hands-on preview to see our thoughts on the demo.
2. RoboCop: Rogue City
If you were a fan of the 1987 hit movie, Robocop, this game should be perfect for you. While many game adaptations of movies often get it wrong, RoboCop: Rogue City gets it right, in all the right places. The streets of Detroit feel dark and unruly, the enemies are adequately insane and the music is absolutely on point.
That’s not to say that RoboCop: Rogue City is a perfect game, it has plenty of flaws. During the demo, I came across a few bugs and some pretty awful voice acting, apart from the voice acting from Peter Weller, the original Robocop, who as usual is fantastic.
The demo is currently available to download from Steam and can be played until Steam Next Fest finishes on October 16th.
3. Crime Scene Cleaner
Crime Scene Cleaner is a chilled simulation game where you take on the role of a crime scene cleaner, working for criminals and ensuring that crime scenes are free from any incriminating evidence.
While Crime Scene Cleaner might not be one of the most groundbreaking games to join the Steam Next Fest lineup, it’s certainly a great choice for gamers wanting a more chilled-out experience.
The game’s demo is currently available to download for free, on Steam, and will be playable for the duration of Steam Next Fest.
4. Pioneers of Pagonia
If you’re looking for a city-builder Pioneers of Pagonia is one of the best city-builders coming this year. Created by the original creator of the Settlers games, Pioneers of Pagonia takes everything that made The Settlers an incredible game, and pushes it further than ever before.
The main focus of Pioneers of Pagonia is exploration and discovery, but of course, as you would expect from a city-building game, fine-tuning your food and resource production is paramount to success.
For anyone that’s eager to get stuck in, the demo of Pioneers of Pagonia is available to download now, and playable throughout the duration of the Steam Next Fest.
5. Dungeons 4
The Dungeons series is back with its fourth installment of the quirky, yet dark RTS game. Build up your dungeon and conquer the heroes of the overworld in this Dungeon Keeper-inspired game.
As with all the games in the Dungeon series, Dungeons 4 doesn’t take itself too seriously, and with the return of the hilarious narrator, being evil has never been so funny.
Build up an army, strengthen your dungeon, and take on the do-gooders in the overworld today, with the Steam Next Fest demo version of Dungeons 4.
6. Enshrouded
Enshrouded is a co-op survival RPG that has managed to make its way to the top of the Steam Next Fest’s most wish-listed games of 2023. While the game is coming to PS5, Xbox, and Steam, as it stands, Steam players are able to get a head start on the game, thanks to the Steam Next Fest.
As well as having some impressive voxel-based base-building mechanics, Enshrouded is also an RPG game that can be played in squads of up to 16 players.
Enshrouded is currently available to download during the Steam Next Fest.
7. Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin
If you’re a fan of Warhammer games, this one should be on the top of your download list this Steam Next Fest. Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin is an impressive RTS game with a full release in November this year.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin features an impressive campaign with an incredible story, as well as a multiplayer mode, and even a map creator to make your own multiplayer maps.
You can read our full review of Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin here, and enjoy the demo version of the game throughout the duration of Steam Next Fest.
