The Steam Next Fest of June 2023 was a big one. One week, MANY demos! I didn’t actually plan on covering the festival this time as life has become pretty busy, but who was I kidding? It should be clear by now that I can’t resist the allure of the demos, especially when so many others have taken to enjoying these festivals as much as I do.
I didn’t make any video content this time so instead, I have documented my top 6 demos below!
Wishlisting a game on steam helps the creators by aiding in discoverability as well as keeping you informed, so if you see something that you like then don’t be shy about hitting the Wishlist button.
6. Wizard with a Gun
Developer: Galvanic Games
Release Date: 2023
Wizard with a Gun wasn’t even on my original download list but it got recommended by a friend. I didn’t manage to play it in time but thankfully the demo was extended so I still got to try it out, and I am glad for that!
Wizard with a Gun is a stylish, action driven roguelike in which we go back in time in an attempt to prevent the end of the world. Again, and again. The game had me immediatly with its opening animated cutscene, setting the scene with a sad song showcasing the downfall of previous heroes. The wild western, dark fantasy and dystopian feelings merge perfectly in a muted yet somehow still colourful style.
The game play is fun, collecting as much as possible in the short time limit so that you can advance your home base, without getting too greedy and loosing it all. Scanning everything you come across so that you can learn more about them, but not until you get back to the safety of the tower. There is no time to be wasted out in the world, it is a mad dash to find what you need before the chaos takes over.
+ So very stylish.
+ Fast paced with breathers.
+ Fun to discover new things.
+ Looks like there will be plenty of customisation to build up to.
+/- The time limit on runs does keep it interesting, but I usually like reading things as I find them so it takes some adjustment to not waste time.
Check it out for yourself here.
5. Flutter Away
Developer: Runaway Play
Release Date: 3rd August 2023
Another game that I almost missed, partly because I ran out of time but partly because I was pretty sure that I was going to want to play this one fully. And I was right.
Flutter away is zen to its core. While the demo was short, it felt like a wonderfully refreshing palette cleanser after playing so many other games before it. Exploring a forest with camera in hand, we are journaling the creatures we find and the moments we experience.
If you are like me and use rainforest sounds as a relaxing background noise, you are going to feel right at home with this game. Calm immediatly washed over me, followed by delight at not only discovering critters, but the way in which they are documented. The journal is so lovely, I wish I had half of the creativity when it comes to the illustrations.
+ Very relaxing.
+ Love the creatures, especially getting up close looks using the perch.
+ The environment is stunning.
+ The atmosphere is well done with both the audio and the on screen life.
+ The journal.
+/- Very short, this was of course only the demo, but the steam description does also describe the game as short so that is something to be aware of.
4. Broken Roads
Developer: Drop Bear Bytes
Release Date: 2023
This is the first demo that I tried this festival. I didn’t finish it, not because I didn’t enjoy it but because I was sold and didn’t want to see anymore without having the rest of the game waiting for me.
Broken Roads is an Australian made and Australian set narrative driven RPG. What struck me immediatly was how much I enjoyed the writing. Whether or not I would like these people in real life is another question, but I very quickly got to enjoy the characters as their dialogue gave good indication of their personalities. Sometimes, in games characters feel very obviously like NPCs and fictional side characters, but these characters felt lived in, even within a couple of lines.
The other thing I love is that Australia feels like a great setting for post apocolyptic drama. The sheer size and hostility of some of the terrain pose troubles at the best of times so that feels like it will add an extra twist on a common genre. It is a country that isn’t massively explored in video games currently but I feel that it will have a lot to offer and I am ready for it.
Finally, from what I played, the drama felt really well done. I have no way of knowing how much it branches in the long run, but I immediatly felt the consequence of a questionable decision and I look forward to seeing what else is in store.
+ Dialogue felt real.
+ Characters felt lived in.
+ The setting.
+/- The game feels like it will have depth (putting this as a neutral point because I can’t say for certain yet, but what I played was very satisfying).
If this interests you, you can find out more here on Steam.
3. Moonstone Island
Developer: Studio Supersoft
Release Date: Q3 2023
Imagine if the turn-based combat in Pokemon was a deckbuilding style. Now imagine that game crossed over with Stardew Valley. I can’t think of a more appropriate description for this game than that.
Moonstone Island could be the next big thing as far as cozy games go. Within the time I spent in this game, I felt freedom. There was gentle guidance as to what to do, but I had the thrill of having a world to explore, people to meet and making the decision of what I wanted to do. All of that with the bonus of being followed around by an adorable little friend.
I am not a huge fan of deck builders. More often than not I will bounce off them pretty hard, so when I first discovered that was the combat side of this game, I was slightly disappointed. However, the more I played I found I was getting on well with it. It wasn’t super punishing (as far as I saw) and you could bring items that you had prepared in the overworld into the dungeon with you, tying both sides of the game together flawlessly.
I play a lot of demos of these types of games, whether it is for Indie Showcase (see The Garden Path, Spirittea, Roots of Pacha, Little Witch in the Woods, Wylde Flowers and Research Story for examples) or just for myself as it is a genre that I like. They can be very hit and miss for me. This one is a hit.
+ Creature follows you around.
+ Both parts of the game tie together well.
+ A sense of freedom.
+ The idea of filling a barn.
+/- The combat involved deckbuilding (it could be a good intro to that genre)
Check out the Steam page for more information.
2. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
Developer: Deconstructeam
Release Date: 2023
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is perhaps the game that surprised me the most. I had only seen some of the visuals in the past but did not know what the game actually was. Turns out it is a game I am super into.
In this game, we are a witch in exile. What else could a witch in exile do other than make a deal with a demon god in order to get some relief in these hard times? As part of this deal, we get to make our own deck of tarot cards. So, a portion of this game is talking to folk, a portion is giving readings, and a portion is making the cards themselves.
In order to make cards, we spend points that we earn from readings on choosing which elements to include in said card. After that, we are given free rein. As long as some specific parts appear on the card, you are free to adjust it as you please. This was very enjoyable, creating little scenes out of the pieces I had managed to scrape together. Planning ahead to make the perfect card could certainly be a possibility, but there is a creative challenge in putting together what you have, making unexpected combinations into their own little stories. Not to mention how gorgeous the art itself is.
The demo didn’t dive into the card reading portion of the game but now that I have the beginnings of a deck, I desperatly want to use it!
+ Beautiful pixel art.
+ Being able to use that art in fun ways.
+ Intrigued at what the rest of the game entails.
+ Lots of choices.
+ Abramar.
+/- The dialogue had high highs and low lows. Quite a way into the demo, the scene changed and I felt like I was playing a different game (that I unfortunately didn’t like very much). But for the demo, for me, the highs outshined the lows.
Wishlist it on Steam here.
1. House Flipper 2
Developer: Frozen District
Release Date: 2023
If you are surprised that House Flipper 2 is at the top of my list, I am right there with you. But that is because I didn’t even know it was being made! House Flipper is one of those games that got me through some difficult times. It is the perfect game to be playing whilst also watching TV or listening to podcasts. It occupies the job of keeping your hands and part of your mind busy while also allowing for some creativity.
The fantastic things about House Flipper 2? It seems to have learned a tonne from its predecessor. It runs so smoothly and it flows so well. There were parts of the previous game that were tedious, so they have decided to just get rid! Not only that, but because everything can be done so quickly, it feels like a dopamine farm. Funnily enough, it gives me Powerwash Sim feelings (which is a compliment by the way), but even better because there is more variety to it. You are constantly completing tasks, seeing the houses before you improve at a very satisfying pace.
I didn’t even realise I wanted it, but now I need it and it could be one of the very few games I buy this year. It is not going to be for everyone but for the people that are interested, I don’t think you will be disappointed.
+ Learned from and improved upon the original House Flipper.
+ ‘Just one more thing’ flow.
+ The perfect accompaniment to TV, YouTube or Podcasts.
+ A little more involved than games like Powerwash Sim.
You can take a look for yourself on Steam here.
That is it for another Steam Next Fest. Of course, I didn’t get to try all of the demos I would have liked but these were my favourites from the bunch that I did. If you would like to check out any of my previous coverage please take a look at the links below!
- Steam Next Fest: February 2023
- Steam Next Fest: October 2022
- Steam Next Fest: February 2022
- The Big Adventure Event 2022
- Steam Next Fest: June 2021
- LudoNarraCon 2021
- IWOCon 2021
- Steam Game Festival: February 2021
- Steam Game Festival: Autumn Edition 2020
- Steam Game Festival: Summer Edition 2020
- LudoNarraCon 2020
- Steam Game Festival: Spring Edition 2020
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