Okay, the new year is here and thankfully January – which always feels like a slow month for gaming – is behind us! I’m really excited because the indie game scene is packed with cool stuff right now. There are games doing totally new things, and others are taking genres we already love and twisting them in fresh ways. Honestly, it’s hard to keep track of everything with just a release calendar and my Steam wishlist! That’s why I’m so glad Steam Next Fest keeps happening – it’s awesome to get hands-on with demos of games that are coming out soon, or even further down the line.
Trying out demos during Steam Next Fest isn’t just a fun way to pass the time—it also gives you a good idea of where the gaming industry is headed and helps you discover upcoming games you’ll want to watch for. While we won’t know if any of these games are truly great until they’re released, these were the demos that stood out to me during the February 2026 Steam Next Fest.
10. Scott Pilgrim EX
Let Those Sparks Fly
The video game based on the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World movie remains a beloved classic among action-packed side-scrolling games. Now that Scott Pilgrim Takes Off is popular, it’s a great time to revisit the streets of Toronto in Scott Pilgrim EX.
This exciting new game is a side-scrolling action adventure where Scott, Ramona, and even some surprising characters like Roxy and Lucas Lee team up. They’re traveling across a broken version of Toronto to save the members of Sex Bob-Omb from strange invaders. It seems to take place after the events of ‘Takes Off,’ but you don’t need to know that story to have fun with it.
Explore a vast and detailed world with friends (up to three, locally or online) as you battle through familiar and brand-new locations. As you play, you’ll improve your character’s abilities and find powerful new gear. Plus, the fantastic chiptune music returns from Anamanaguchi! Scott Pilgrim EX will be available on March 3, 2026.
9. People of Note
Show ‘em Your Range
| Developer | Iridium Studios |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| Release Date | April 2026 |
I’ve been really wanting to play a classic JRPG with a strong party and a unique, interesting world that I can really get lost in. What always grabs my attention is a game with a setting based around music – like the world in People of Note.
People of Note is a classic JRPG where you play as Cadence, an aspiring singer who travels the world to build a band. She gathers musicians with diverse styles, hoping to create amazing music and, along the way, possibly save the world. The game really focuses on its style, creating cities and cultures built around different types of music, and features impressive musical performances to enhance the experience.
Battles happen in turns, but with a unique mechanic: the music genre changes constantly. Using a character whose style matches the current music will make them stronger, while others provide support. It’s a game about careful planning and utilizing each band member’s special skills. You can experience People of Note when it releases on April 7, 2026.
8. Bobo Bay
Fine, Sega, We’ll Do it Ourselves
| Developer | NewFutureKids |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PC |
| Release Date | April 2026 |
It’s really strange that Sega hasn’t ever created a dedicated game centered around Chao Gardens. They’re clearly aware of the demand – they frequently release Chao-themed artwork, animations, and merchandise – but they haven’t quite taken the leap and made a full game. So, like many times recently, a single indie developer decided to take matters into their own hands, and created Bobo Bay as a result.
Bobo Bay is essentially a separate game inspired by the Chao Garden from Sonic Adventure 2, but designed to avoid any copyright issues. You begin by settling on a small island filled with cute creatures called Bobos. You can take care of them, help them grow, breed them together, and even have them compete in races and fighting tournaments.
In Bobo Bay, raising and training your Bobos to win competitions earns you money. You can use this money to improve the town, opening new shops and services. You can also explore the surrounding islands on a jetski to find extra resources. Bobo Bay is scheduled to launch on April 29, 2026, and aims to fill a gap in the market.
7. Forbidden Solitaire
Like Regular Solitaire, But Evil
| Developer | Grey Alien Games, Night Signal Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PC |
| Release Date | 2026 |
Most people think of Solitaire as the game that comes with every computer, but I didn’t start playing it until I was older and never understood the relaxing appeal of the clicking sounds. I think I just needed a reason to play beyond simply passing the time, and maybe Forbidden Solitaire was that reason.
Forbidden Solitaire is a scary card game where you explore a creepy dungeon and battle monsters by skillfully counting cards. As you play, you’ll earn improvements and special Joker cards to make your card stacks more powerful and help you solve puzzles.
The game features a unique story where you discover an old copy of “Forbidden Solitaire” at a thrift store and begin to unravel the unsettling history of how it was made. From the creators of “Home Safety Hotline,” you can expect a similar brand of creeping, atmospheric horror when it launches in early 2026.
6. Pro Jank Footy
Kickin’ It Aussie Style
| Developer | Powerbomb Games, Tinker Town |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch |
| Release Date | 2026 |
I recently discovered that when Australians say “footy,” they’re usually talking about a fast-paced, physical sport similar to rugby, not soccer. It’s a really exciting game – exactly the kind that would be perfect for a fun, arcade-style video game, and that’s what Pro Jank Footy delivers.
Okay, so I’ve been playing this game called Pro Jank Footy, and it’s basically like NBA Jam, but with… well, everything going wrong in the best way. You and another player each control a team, passing and tackling to try and kick the ball into the other team’s goal. There’s a regular mode that’s fun, but the real reason to play is ‘jank mode.’ Every time someone scores, the losing team gets to play a power-up card. These cards are insane – they can make players huge, summon seagulls that dive-bomb the field, and all sorts of other crazy stuff. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and totally addictive!
Pro Jank Footy is a hilarious and over-the-top game, made even better by funny live commentary from Broden Kelly of Aunty Donna. It’s perfect for playing with friends on your couch – look out for its release in 2026!
5. Denshattack!
Trains Without Limits
There’s a natural appeal to seeing trains do things they weren’t designed for. That’s likely why the idea of flying trains is so exciting. But it doesn’t even need to involve flight – just seeing a train pull off incredible stunts, like those in the game Denshattack!, is really cool.
Denshattack is a fast-paced racing game where you ride a railcar on a huge, run-down railway. You’ll compete against other riders, testing your speed, skill, and ability to survive. The game immediately throws you into the action, teaching you to drift around turns and perform impressive jumps. Along the track, you can find optional challenges, and completing them quickly will earn you the best scores.
The game features a vibrant, anime-inspired art style and a fantastic soundtrack that feels like a throwback to classic Dreamcast titles such as Jet Set Radio. Our reviewer, Ethan Krieger, had an early look and was very impressed. You can experience it for yourself when Denshattack releases in 2026.
4. The Witch’s Bakery
There’s No Vibes like Parisian Bakery Vibes
There’s something special about a small bakery – the smell of warm pastries, the sight of dough rising, and a cozy atmosphere. But The Witch’s Bakery isn’t just any bakery; it has a little extra magic to it.
Follow Lunne, a young witch, as she starts her dream of opening a bakery in the heart of Paris! By day, you’ll be busy baking delicious treats for customers. But when night falls, you can wander the city, discover its hidden magic, get to know the locals, and use your witchy skills to help them with their problems.
The Witch’s Bakery is looking like the perfect cozy game – think charming French bakery and heartwarming emotional moments, all with a side of freshly baked bread. Get ready to enjoy it in 2026!
3. Inkonbini: One Store, Many Stories
The People You Meet in Retail
There’s a unique peacefulness to being in an empty convenience store late at night, with only the cashier around. It’s a quiet moment where you can reflect and maybe even discover something new about yourself – whether you’re the one buying things or working behind the counter, like in the story of Inkonbini.
Inkonbini centers around Makoto, a young woman working the overnight shift at a small convenience store in early 1990s Japan. Life is generally peaceful – she restocks shelves, corrects any mistakes made by the day staff, and occasionally chats with customers who come in for late-night purchases.
The way you chat with customers – answering their questions and helping them find what they need – will subtly change the story and reveal more about this peaceful neighborhood. There’s no set release date for Inkonbini yet, which just gives you more time to explore the virtual snack aisles!
2. The Eternal Life of Goldman
Scrooge McDuck Would be Proud
Games rarely feature elderly main characters, probably because older people aren’t typically very agile. However, there are always exceptions, and in the game The Eternal Life of Goldman, the main character overcomes this with the help of a special cane, allowing them to perform incredible feats.
I’m really excited about this game! It’s set in this beautiful world that feels like it’s straight out of old myths and legends. You play as Goldman, and he’s on this huge quest to find and defeat a really powerful, monstrous god. What’s cool is that he uses a cane as his main weapon, but you can customize it with different parts to give it new abilities. You can switch these parts really quickly, which is awesome because it’s a super precise platformer – you need to be fast to avoid falling! It looks like a real challenge, but a really fun one.
What really stands out about this game is its stunning artwork – the hand-drawn characters and backgrounds are incredibly detailed, reminding me of Cuphead. While there’s no release date yet for The Eternal Life of Goldman, the developers have been working on it for years, so a bit more wait seems reasonable.
1. Future Knight
An LCD Game That’s Actually a Game
| Developer | Studio Koba, Aeternum Game Studios |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PC |
| Release Date | TBA |
Remember those simple, old LCD games you’d find in toy stores – the ones with basic, blinking graphics? Future Knight takes that same idea, but instead of a quickly-boring toy, it’s a complete and engaging action-adventure game.
This unique shoot ‘em up game has a strange, quirky style. You play as a cyborg – think Terminator – and his unusual companion, a giant, living tumor. Together, they travel through time on a mission to eliminate a cult leader before she can control everyone’s minds. The game looks like an old LCD screen, with still images for characters and backgrounds that suddenly come to life when enemies attack.
Okay, so playing Future Knight feels a lot like classic games like Contra – it’s all about blasting enemies as they come at you. But here’s the really weird and cool part: if the path gets too tight for my knight, I can actually eject this little… tumor buddy named Two More. He lets me squeeze through small spaces, and then I can call the knight back to absolutely wreck everything. They haven’t announced when it’s coming out yet, but honestly, it’s strange enough that I’m happy to let the developers take their time and polish it up.
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2026-02-24 21:42