Best Demos of Steam Next Fest October 2023

The Steam Next Fest has started, featuring hundreds and hundreds of different demos. We've gone through and chosen 10 of the best demos in the Most Wishlisted rankings.

Steam Next Fest Page October 2023

Top 10 Demos Based On Most Wishlisted

1. Enshrouded

Enshrouded reminds me of Valheim with the crafting and gathering along with the base building. With regards to the combat, the animations and pace remind me of Kingdoms of Amalur with the movement and attacks. It also features a wide skill tree system that will encourage build variety for all the players involved. Enshrouded is an upcoming co-op survival action-RPG that is set on an open-world that lets you explore forests, caves, and dungeons to strengthen yourself and venture into the Shroud. Fight back against the horrors of the deep with an arsenal of weapons, skills, and abilities.

Play the Enshrouded Demo!

2. Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor

With a multitude of Vampire Survivor-esque games, Deep Rock Galactic is now trying their hand at their own spin on the auto shooter genre. While the gameplay looks similar to Vampire Survivors, they put their own spin on it by adding objectives instead of just surviving for a set amount of time. Upgrading seems to be roughly the same as Vampire Survivors where you improve specific weapons or add a modifier that affects yourself and the weapons you’re carrying.

Play the Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Demo!

3. The Last Faith

With the visuals reminiscent of Blasphemous and Bloodborne and the gameplay fusion of Metroidvanias and Soul-likes comes The Last Faith. With multiple weapons and spells, explore this gothic world as Eryk, who must save himself from his unknown affliction as he crosses paths with different religions and deities.

Play The Last Faith Demo!

4. Robocop: Rogue City

Play as the iconic cyborg cop hero in this single player first-person shooter. Uphold the law in the dangerous and crime-filled streets of Old Detroit. Explore the city and deliver justice with more than 20 weapons available to complete objectives and experience this new and original story. Similar to story-driven first person shooters, Robocop: Rogue City strikes this similar vein. Though with the multitude of shooters out there, it's more of the Doom-esque experience with how powerful you are in comparison to the opponents you are facing. It also has a comparison to Bioshock with the investigations you will be doing as Robocop.

Play the Robocop: Rogue City Demo!

5. The Thaumaturge

The Thaumaturge is an isometric, story-driven RPG that takes place in early 20th century Warsaw. Turn-based combat, character development features, and morally ambiguous dialogue choices - all set in a world with mysterious powers and strange ethereal beings called Salutors. Reminiscent of isometric games like Wasteland and Disco Elysium with the combat similar to Pokémon, you will have to be tactical and calculating as you wield the power of Thaumaturgy.

Play The Thaumaturge Demo!

6. Pioneers of Pagonia

Pioneers of Pagonia lets you explore the islands of Pagonia in this upcoming city builder. Optimize production, protect your people, explore procedurally generated maps, and unite the scattered tribes as you journey and explore through islands to find resources, lands, and secrets.

Play the Pioneers of Pagonia Demo!

7. Stronghold: Definitive Edition

Stronghold: Definitive Edition comes back as the premier castle simulator with improved visuals, modernized gameplay, and Steam multiplayer. The classic real-time medieval strategy comes with quality of life improvements, brand new campaign, and more historical battles to relive and take control of to satisfy any medieval fan’s dream. Relive the classic medieval strategy campaign as you reunite war-torn England once again from the hands of the villainous quartet, Rat, Pig, Snake, and Wolf.

Play the Stronghold: Definitive Edition Demo!

8. Sky: Children of the Light

Made by the ones who created the critically acclaimed Journey, Sky: Children of the Light is a peaceful MMORPG that focuses on collaborative gameplay and collectable emotes and customization items. Explore multiple dreamlike realms to unravel the mysteries of the stars and embark on a quest to save and free the Spirits of the different constellations.

Play the Sky: Children of the Light Demo!

9. Japanese Drift Master

With homage to multiple racing games and anime comes Japanese Drift Master, where you can live your dream of racing and customizing your vehicle in a true Japanese style. The game seems to build upon the identity of different arcade-esque games like Need For Speed and less on the actual simulation of racing with the score systems and customization. Make a splash in the Japanese drift scene as you race through the long winding mountain trails and the popular tourist roads of Lake Haikama.

Play the Japanese Drift Master Demo!

10. Ghostrunner 2

Just like its predecessor, Ghostrunner 2 is bloody, fast-paced, and difficult. The game comes with more epic bosses, new skills to play around with, and whole new gameplay sections. It’s shaping up to be grander than the first game and offers more creativity to the player with all the new ways to slice and dice your way through enemies.

Play the Ghostrunner 2 Demo!

Michael Gerra-Clarin

Resident fighting game nerd, avid FFXIV fan, and enjoyer of mostly anything gaming. Currently, he is enjoying Dawntrail as a Viper, while dying to Messmer's flames in Shadow of the Erdtree.