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The 10 Best Game Demos from Steam Next Fest

James -

The February 2022 edition of Steam Next Fest has officially kicked off, and the celebration of unreleased games features more great demos than ever. The event, which runs from February 21-28, coincides with the February 25th release of Valve's new handheld gaming device, the Steam Deck. The week-long Steam Next Fest offers the opportunity to try out hundreds of game demos, representing every genre you can imagine (and a few that you probably can't). Plus, you can even share your thoughts and feedback on the games with their developers. Listed below are ten of our favorite demos you must play right now through the Steam Next Fest event (so far!).

Jump to a game:

  1. Tinykin
  2. Expedition Zero
  3. Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle
  4. Food Truck Simulator
  5. The Wandering Village
  6. CROWZ
  7. ABRISS - Build to Destroy
  8. Space Wreck
  9. Boundary
  10. Core Keeper

1. Tinykin

Developed by Splashteam and published by tinyBuild, Tinykin is a strange, unique adventure game that blends two different styles of animation. You play as the character Milo, a miniature man who arrives on Earth to discover that it's still 1991 and that he's far too small for the environment.

As Milo, you explore cities of insects, meet interesting characters, and capture hundreds of the mysterious creatures known as tinykin. You get to solve environment-based puzzles, navigate giant scenery, and even ride around on a skateboard. This whimsical game demo is definitely worth trying out.

2. Expedition Zero

Set in the heart of Siberia, Expedition Zero is an action-packed survival horror game in which you must battle and defeat a terrifying forest monster. The game, which takes place in first-person perspective, was developed by Enigmatic Machines and published by tinyBuild.

You'll explore creepy forests and abandoned research facilities in an attempt to discover the truth about a top-secret expedition. As you navigate the ominous environment, you must find resources to survive, as the harsh weather and setting are just as much your enemy as the mysterious forest creature. This enthralling blend of horror, survival, and adventure is a must-play.

3. Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle

Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is the exciting prequel to the critically-acclaimed horror survival game Daymare: 1998. Developed by Invader Studios and published by Leonardo Interactive, the third-person, story-driven game follows special agent Dalila Reyes. You play as Agent Reyes, and you're part of a special unit called H.A.D.E.S. Your current mission takes you to an advanced experimental research center, where disturbing horrors are lurking in the dark.

Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle features stunningly realistic graphics, environmental puzzles, a fittingly creepy soundtrack, and plenty of terrifying enemies to face down. If you want an engaging thrill, give this demo a shot.

4. Food Truck Simulator

Food Truck Simulator is exactly what its name implies. In this unique simulation game demo, you take over ownership of your father's food truck, and it's up to you to keep it running smoothly. You'll get to create new recipes, prepare food for your customers, and drive around the beautifully animated city. You can also customize the look of your food truck, upgrade its equipment, and even manage the financial and logistical aspects of the business.

The game, which is about as realistic as you can get, was developed by DRAGO entertainment and published by Movie Games S.A.

5. The Wandering Village

The Wandering Village is a whimsical, unique-looking farming simulator developed and published by Stray Fawn Studio. The fascinating game blends different animation styles to create the strange world that players will dive into. After surviving an environmental tragedy and finding shelter on the back of a giant mythical creature, you must build a new settlement with your fellow villagers.

While still riding on the animal's back, it'll be up to you to keep your settlement thriving, advance your society, and maintain your symbiotic relationship with the massive creature. This demo will leave you counting the hours until the full game.

6. CROWZ

Who doesn't love a multiplayer first-person shooter? If you're a fan of games like Call of Duty or Fortnite, you'll definitely want to give this demo a play.

Playing as a mercenary called CROW, you must find a way to survive the hazardous life of a hired soldier. In a world where powerful nations engage in numerous brutal conflicts, you must complete missions, fight enemy soldiers, and survive a lethal environment. CROWZ was developed by ROYALCROW and published by THUMBAGE.

7. ABRISS - Build to Destroy

If you're interested in building and physics (and destroying things), you definitely won't want to miss the ABRISS - Build to Destroy demo. Developed and published by Randwerk and occupying a unique genre, the game allows you to construct complex, innovative structures from scratch. Then, you crash them into other structures to destroy them in breathtaking collisions.

The destruction isn't just for destruction's sake, though; each level in the game's campaign mode gives you a destruction-based objective. ABRISS - Built to Destroy features puzzle elements as well, as you must find the weaknesses of massive, sturdy structures.

8. Space Wreck

If you like role-playing games and you enjoyed the Fallout series, you'll most likely enjoy the Space Wreck demo. The game, which was developed and published by Pahris Entertainment SIA, is a post-apocalyptic RPG taking place in outer space.

Don't be fooled by its surreal, low-definition graphics; Space Wreck offers a deep, immersive adventure and storyline. The game is heavy on the role-playing elements; you'll spend time building up your character's skills and abilities, solving problems, and completing quests. In Space Wreck, there are usually multiple ways to accomplish your goals, offering you quite a bit of freedom and autonomy.

9. Boundary

Boundary is another awesome game demo taking place in outer space. Developed by Studio Surgical Scalpels and published by Skystone Games Inc. and Huya Games, Boundary is a multiplayer tactical shooter. Equipped with a special suit that allows you to navigate the zero-gravity environment, you'll explore gorgeously animated maps and engage in combat with other astronauts.

Boundary allows you to customize your weaponry, personalize your space suit, and choose from several different classes of combatant. Even setting aside the engaging combat, the demo is worth checking out just for the stunning graphics and unique setting.

10. Core Keeper

Developed by Pugstorm and published by Sold Out, Core Keeper is a fast-paced, online co-op adventure game that you'll definitely want to try for yourself. Accommodating teams of up to eight players, the game takes you adventuring through mysterious caverns, crafting equipment and other items, building up your homestead, and battling giant monsters.

In Core Keeper, you'll also find yourself farming crops for you and your team, creating new technology, and discovering secrets hidden within the fascinating system of caves. You'll also need to power up and protect your base's core while searching for the mysteries that it represents.