Struggling for what to pick in Steam Next Fest? Valve emailed over a list of the 20 most-played demos overall so here's what you might want to check out.
I already gave some initial suggestions in my previous article and you can check out plenty of individual shout-outs in our Demo article tag if you want more of my own picks.
In no particular order from what Valve sent over, I've made sure to note those that have reports on ProtonDB that don't appear to work on Linux so you can skip over them. You'll need to use Valve's Proton to access the demo for most.
Venture together with your friends on an unknown planet. Use color switching, match-3 shooting, and artifact powers to overcome challenges and keep advancing. What lies ahead of you is an adventure filled with wonder, hope, and much more to discover!
Gladio Mori is a multiplayer combat with slow-motion fights, organ-specific damage, and community-generated moves. Use razor-sharp weapons to cut down your enemies or die trying. Pick your blade, choose your armour and create a fighting style unique to you.
Rivals of Aether II is the sequel to the hit indie fighting game, Rivals of Aether. Play as both new and returning elemental fighters in the next generation of platform fighters.
Averno City, 1983. Gangs rule the streets and your father lies restless in his grave. Clean up the city, uncover the truth, and embark on thrilling vehicle chases through destructible environments in this neon-noir action sandbox police game.
Brave the Vortex and dash your way to greatness in this lightning-fast action roguelite for 1-3 players from the crafters of Dead Cells. Absorb the powers of fallen warriors, rebuild their weapons, and WIPE THE FLOOR with those Sentinels in search of that perfect run!
SAND is a vast, open world PVPVE game where you explore the fallen planet of Sophie. Build gigantic Tramplers to conquer this hostile environment, filled with mystical anomalies, monuments, and other players. Play PVP Demo right now!
Streets of Rogue 2 is a crazy, immersive RPG sandbox set in a vast randomly generated open world where freedom and fun are dialed up to 11. Fight, sneak, hack, farm, build, steal, or talk your way to power as you try to topple a corrupt president in countless possible ways – solo or with friends.
In the distant future when civilization is on the verge of extinction, people follow the legend of the Elysium in the last city, Havenswell. In this post-apocalyptic wasteland sci-fi ARPG, you will play as Arrisa, a Blader with immortality, and explore the city ruin to find the hope of a new life.
Can you Survive the Swarm? Unlock mighty abilities and upgrades, find and collect Tems to evolve and become stronger, discover overpowered strategies, and battle massive bosses in this survivor-like bullet heaven! Play solo or online co-op with up to 3 players, building the wildest synergies.
Welcome to the world's most chaotic place! Play solo or co-op with up to 4 players. Run a fast-food restaurant, and work with your friends to expand your business. Take orders, make burgers, and increase your earnings by dealing with customers.
Embark on a brutal journey of survival in a perpetual winter. Hunt and gather resources for building and utilize deep survival mechanics to craft your way through a harsh, unforgiving landscape. Forge alliances or dominate the remnants of humanity in this chilling open world saga.
Travel to Luma Island to go on an epic adventure by yourself or with your friends and family. Build your dream farm, master professions, collect magical Lumas, find treasures and unravel the mysteries of the island.
Conquer enemy nests and lead your colony through the perils of the forest in this groundbreaking RTS. Empire of the Ants is a photorealistic, third-person real-time strategy game where you command your insect legions in epic battles.
The Sultan commands you to play a cruel game. Each week, you must draw one of four special cards: the Carnality card requires you to seek carnal pleasures; Extravagance compels you to spend lavishly; Conquer forces you into dangerous expeditions; and Bloodshed demands a human sacrifice...
Take a relaxing walk around a surprise-filled island and build your own secret base! Explore the island, meet cute animals, play fun mini-games, and collect cool toys and furniture. Enjoy carefree and happy moments on the island! Play with your friends and share the fun together!
Explore, craft, and fight your way on the uncharted islands solo or in co-op! Tinkerlands is an exciting survival adventure where you will build your settlement, craft useful tools to survive, and even use magic!
- KLETKA (Native Linux)
KLETKA is a co-op horror game about going down in an elevator that is trying to eat you. Feed the elevator, explore deadly floors and descend deeper.
Doesn't work on Linux:
What have you enjoyed the most during Steam Next Fest? Be sure to leave a comment and a link.
Steam Next Fest continues through Monday October 21st at 10am PT / 5pm UTC.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Two of these are on my wishlist, and I also got mail from Valve informing that a game from my wishlist published a demo, which is nice. I might take a closer look at the others, too.
Please remind me, will these demos disappear right after NextFest or will they stay available? Or at least stay in my library if I install them now?
Quoting: pbPlease remind me, will these demos disappear right after NextFest or will they stay available? Or at least stay in my library if I install them now?It depends on the developer/publisher since there are demos that live on past Next Fest while others are delisted. Also, if you install the demo and it ends up getting delisted, you won't be able to play them any longer.
Linux_Rocks Oct 18
Philadelphus Oct 18
Quoting: pbPlease remind me, will these demos disappear right after NextFest or will they stay available? Or at least stay in my library if I install them now?The most likely outcome is that they will disappear, though sometimes developers keep them around afterwards. But if there isn't something explicitly saying that, I wouldn't bet on it.
Delisted demos you have installed remain on your drive. You can (sometimes*) just re-add the executable as a non-Steam game and continue to play.
* Not if the developer have hooked it up to the Steam DRM system.
Quoting: PhiladelphusQuoting: pbPlease remind me, will these demos disappear right after NextFest or will they stay available? Or at least stay in my library if I install them now?The most likely outcome is that they will disappear, though sometimes developers keep them around afterwards. But if there isn't something explicitly saying that, I wouldn't bet on it.
I don't have much to ask, but I have hunch that AA games are quickest to disappear. Reasoning might differ between games.
Only way to be sure if something is going to disappear and when is to ask from the developer. Sometimes developer has answered the question already in a discussion in the games Steam forums.
The only new to me game that really stood out for me is the one with the murder on a train (Loco Motive), but that is a definite buy when it is done. Great writing, graphics and humour (a bit like Day of the Tentacle, but slightly more subtle).
The demo for Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders was nice as well, but there have been some performance hits on the SteamDeck and that's been on my wishlist for some time. They explicitly mention that the demo might be removed after the end of the festival for some more polish. I assume that there will be a demo available when the game is finished similar to Lonely Mountains: Downhill.
Ale Abbey
One of the many management games. This time around we're brewing brew in a monastery. All the standard stuff is there like keeping monks and nuns happy and building rooms for different functions. Though at the heart of it is making new beer recipes, which is bit of min maxing. Requests might require different qualities and market might has bit more subtle mechanisms what sells. I didn't figure out the market completely.
Seems to be better than the ingredients suggest. I did have fun. So much fun that I actually wishlisted the game.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Slight twist on detective games. Dialogue and clicking things in order to get their description is kind of point and click like. Deduction screens ask you to form sentences. And there's also social media research which is about hunting for relevant messages in order to find search terms. There's small part which requires to understand a bit about Japanese culture, but luckily game is quite forgiving. Narrative is driving the game forward. Might benefit from even better writer, but plot is still interesting enough. Unless you're allergic to anime plot twists.
Time Plague
This one is the miss. It's FPS based on Time Machine, but there's lot of exposition before you actually get shooting and even then people complain that they didn't figure out how to complete the first shooting encounter. I also gave up at that point.
There's lot of lack of polish, though game graphically looks OK. I found some information about the developer and it all makes sense. This is their first game and from reading between the lines, the game is meant to showcase the engine. The sales text speaks more about rapid development more than actual impressive features.
I did try it with VR, though it works also without.
Last edited by Anza on 20 October 2024 at 9:36 pm UTC
AI LIMIT
One of the many soulslikes. This time around it seems easier and not as dark as some of them. Otherwise seems familiar. Still fun enough.
CraftCraft
Crafting game like the name suggests. Lot of mouse movements emulating somewhat real life, which I guess might help with immersion. Though can be bit confusing for a while. In the short demo the customers were quite personalities. One task even required bit of creativity. Good casual fun, but didn't cross the wishlist threshold for me.
Keep Driving
Imagine Pacific drive, but 2D and everything is mundane. On top of that there are events have their own minigame, which utilizes items and skill. Relatively forgiving, though there seems to be some kind possible end state. Interesting concept, almost worth of wishlisting.
Worshippers of Cthulhu
Management game, but with Cthulhu theme. Developers have managed to make many activities around the theme. Sacrifices (sometimes with people) and carving marks into peoples backs with a daggers are among few examples. Towards the end of demo, amount things to do got to satisfying level.
I guess biggest downside is that publisher is Crytivo who have tendency do bit suspicious things.
Last edited by Anza on 20 October 2024 at 9:00 pm UTC
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