Discover the Top 10 Must-Play Game Demos at Steam Next Fest February 2025!

Summary

Steam Next Fest has indie and triple-A game demos. Many promising titles with positive feedback await.
Tempest Rising is a classic RTS with strategic economy management inspired by Command and Conquer.
Among Us 3D offers a fresh experience with proximity voice chat and first-person perspective gameplay.

For those eager to preview the games set to release in 2025 and beyond, an exceptional chance has arrived! The initial phase of Steam Next Fest for this year is now active, offering a complimentary demo of several upcoming titles. Many independent developers, as well as some big-name studios, are displaying a sneak peek of their forthcoming projects in the form of a vertical slice.

Choosing which games to play among the numerous demos out there can be quite challenging given the time constraints, especially since there are a multitude of exciting, innovative titles vying for attention. Fortunately, some demos have garnered positive responses from fans, indicating a promising future for these games.

10. Tempest Rising

A Classic RTS With Command And Conquer Vibes

For fans who yearn for the classic Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games such as Red Alert, Generals, or StarCraft, Tempest Rising should undeniably be on their wishlist. A short, free demo is even available now to give it a try. Striving to preserve the essence of the genre, Tempest Rising prioritizes the importance of your army above all else, while offering striking visuals that add to its appeal.

Managing the economy is just as essential as the influences it draws from within the game. Players commence by constructing diverse manufacturing establishments to churn out war machinery or enlist infantry troops, subsequently commanding these armies toward set goals. The game supports both airborne and ground-based units, with combat taking place on an array of distinctly designed battlefields.

Tempest Rising has the same essence as a genuine spiritual follow-up to Command and Conquer: Generals, a title which unfortunately never saw the light of day with its planned successor.

9. Among Us 3D

Taking The Same Fun Experience To 3D With Voice Chat

Currently, the 3D version of “Among Us,” not yet fully launched, provides a free trial for enthusiasts to experience the upcoming changes in the game. The most significant improvement in the 3D adaptation is its native proximity voice chat feature, enabling players to converse seamlessly without relying on external applications.

The fundamental playstyle continues unchanged, but adopting a first-person perspective brings a new, invigorating vibe to the game. This perspective, however, adds an extra layer of challenge for both impostors and crewmates because their vision is now restricted, forcing them to approach situations with heightened caution. It’s important to mention that the demo does not currently support Virtual Reality (VR) functionality.

8. RoadCraft

Use A Variety Of Construction Machines To Restore Roads

Developer: Saber Interactive
Release Date: May 20, 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Originating from the creators of SnowRunner, RoadCraft offers a fresh take within the same game category, emphasizing road repairs following natural disasters. You’ll get to use an extensive collection of construction machinery, each with its distinctive character and set of difficulties.

From a visual perspective, RoadCraft appears more striking compared to SnowRunner. However, the gameplay could potentially move at a less rapid pace due to the need for using various machines with distinct functions. Despite this, the missions in RoadCraft offer a greater sense of diversity and rarely feel monotonous or repetitive.

7. Deliver At All Costs

A Chaotic Driving Experience Entangled With A Destructible Environment

Developer: Far Out Games
Release Date: To be announced
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

In this cheerful racing game, the key to enjoyment lies in a world that shatters spectacularly at your command, adding an extra dose of excitement and turmoil to your gaming experience. Essentially, you’re given missions where you need to transport some peculiar items, and no matter what happens, these items must reach their destination!

In simpler terms, during this game, players can navigate their vehicles by driving through buildings or leaping over rivers. They’ll encounter various natural obstacles along the way. This adventure is filled with unexpected events. The game also features a narrative and requires players to complete certain tasks on foot and make deliveries at times.

6. Deck Of Haunts

Become A True Mansion Evil And Scare The Hell Out Of The Residents

In many games, players take on the role of a solitary survivor trying to flee from a spooky mansion, but only a few games let you experience things from the opposite perspective. Deck of Haunts offers players the chance to relish in evil by designing and building a haunted mansion and using deck-building gameplay to scare its residents.

During the day, players expand their mansion by adding new rooms and corridors to it and giving more depth to the maze inside it, while at night, the rooms become the playground for the evil to play their cards of terror and drain the sanity of residents. That being said, evil is not immune to damage, as the player must secure the heart of terror, which is placed within the mansion.

5. Descenders Next

Snowboarding In Style With Some Dose Of Hardcore Gameplay

Developer: RageSquid
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, Xbox One, PC

Following the remarkable achievement of the initial game that showcased extreme cycling, the same concept has returned, this time featuring snowboarding. The eagerly awaited game, Descenders Next, is nearly two months from its complete launch, and the community is delighted to have a free sneak peek of the title.

In its fundamental mechanics, Descenders Next remains largely the same, but introduces a captivating twist: the ability to skateboard in arid landscapes and snowboard on snow-capped mountains. This expansion offers a refreshing change in the game’s settings. The original roguelike features and the demanding task of mastering each track are still present, providing a thrilling new journey for players.

4. Gothic 1 Remake

Discovering A Classic RPG With Modern Visuals

Even though we don’t have a confirmed launch date yet, a demo for Gothic 1 Remake serves as an excellent chance for gamers to share their feedback before the complete version comes out. The purpose of this demo is to familiarize players with the game’s overall ambiance and tone rather than revealing every aspect of gameplay.

In this demonstration, you’ll encounter a short adventure that serves as an introduction to the main game setting. You’re welcome to delve into the surrounding landscape and engage with non-player characters, but the narrative may not advance significantly during this initial exploration.

3. PUBG: Blindspot

A New, Creative Take On Competitive Shooters

Developer: ARC Team
Release Date: To be announced
Platforms: PC

In simple terms, the upcoming shooter game set in the PUBG universe presents an innovative take on the top-down shooter category. Although there have been tactical games in this perspective before, not many have opted to create a truly competitive experience within this genre.

In a fresh take, the game PUBG: Blindspot seems like a bird’s-eye view adaptation of Rainbow Six: Siege. This title boasts distinctive characters, each with special skills and gear. The majority of maps showcase intricate interior layouts that demand team coordination for clearance and strategic planning.

The game features distinctive and enjoyable mechanisms, such as a collective visual screen for the team, allowing one member to view exactly what their allies are seeing simultaneously, thus enhancing the teamwork experience.

2. Breathedge 2

A Loyal Sequel To The Beloved Space Survival

Developer: RedRuins Softworks
Release Date: To be announced
Platforms: PS5, PC

The classic game “Breathedge” will forever be cherished for its delightful wit, and it’s heartening to learn that its sequel, “Breathedge 2”, will continue this comedic tradition! While maintaining the original’s core gameplay, “Breathedge 2” expands the universe with new elements such as a spaceship, which serves as the protagonist’s and his crewmates’ actual home.

In this version of the game, players can engage in a fresh gameplay cycle by taking care of and enhancing the spaceship. Just like before, they’re free to explore the planet’s surface using smaller vehicles. The crafting system gives players the ability to produce various useful or useless items. To add a challenge, new adversaries will be introduced to increase the difficulty of survival!

1. Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone

Trying Out A New Direction With The Series

One key aspect to understand about “Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone” is that it takes a distinctly different path from its predecessor. Unlike the first game, it does not follow Tatyana’s narrative; instead, the story appears to take a backseat in this installment.

Rather than Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone, this sequel offers a more immersive survival experience, emphasizing crafting, base construction, and exploration. While it does contain a narrative, it is not intended to replicate the original game’s story or feel in that regard.

The follow-up version offers an adjustable perspective, enabling players to delve into the game world using either first-person or third-person views. Interestingly, it appears that the developers are suggesting a preference for third-person view. To ensure a smooth transition and allow fans to try out the new direction, they’re releasing a demo prior to launch, allowing them to test the waters before deciding to buy.

2025-02-25 15:25