Discover the Exciting World of Indie Games at Steam’s Next Fest
Steam’s Next Fest has established itself as a premier event for gamers eager to get a sneak peek at upcoming releases, especially those from independent developers. The festival offers free playable demos, live developer interviews, and exclusive livestreams, providing a unique opportunity to experience fresh, passionate projects firsthand.
This year, the spotlight is brighter than ever on indie.io, a versatile platform that collaborates with developers of all sizes. The latest Next Fest, running until June 16, features an impressive lineup of 25 indie.io titles—the most the platform has ever showcased at one event. Whether you enjoy classic co-op RPGs, rhythm-based brawlers, roguelites with spellcrafting, relaxing farming sims, or lively party games, there’s something for every gaming taste.
Our Picks: The Six Standout Titles You Must Try
With so many options, choosing can be overwhelming. To help, we’ve highlighted six standout games, each offering a playable demo and representing the incredible diversity of indie.io’s offerings.
Shrine’s Legacy: A Nostalgic Throwback to 16-Bit Classics
Step into the pixel-perfect world of Shrine’s Legacy, an action RPG inspired by the SNES era. Join two heroes on a quest to save the mystical land of Ardemia by retrieving eight elemental magic gems to restore the legendary Sword of the Shrine. The demo offers a substantial experience, allowing players to explore two towns, conquer two dungeons, and face off against three formidable bosses. The game blends quirky humor with dramatic storytelling, featuring moments of levity and tension. Play solo or enjoy couch co-op, where each player controls one hero, making it perfect for shared gaming nights.
Troublemaker 2: Beyond Dream — An Open-World Action-Comedy Adventure
The sequel to the 2023 hit, Troublemaker 2 takes you into the vibrant city of South Jayakarta. As a member of the Parakacuk gang or the band Beyond Dream, you can freely roam the city, engaging in street brawls, completing quirky side quests, or relaxing at the music studio with rhythm-based mini-games. The demo unlocks the entire city, featuring 12 side quests and mini-games, including a humorous one where you turn into a cow, highlighting the game’s playful tone. It’s a lively mix of combat, exploration, and comedy designed to keep players engaged.
Don’t Die, Collect Loot: Chaotic Roguelite Action
If you love fast-paced arcade gameplay, Don’t Die, Collect Loot will be right up your alley. This roguelite RPG combines bullet-hell combat with loot collection, where players battle relentless enemies while watching three progress bars—experience, skill points, and research points—fill up. Choose from three distinct classes—Adventurer, Arcanist, and Beastmaster—each with unique skills and overpowered abilities. The game’s endless mode challenges you to survive as long as possible, compete on global leaderboards, and unlock special items. During Next Fest, players can face off against an exclusive super boss, Alethia, and earn rare gear unavailable elsewhere.
Mythrealm: A Deep Fantasy Adventure
Step into the epic universe of Mythrealm, a third-person fantasy RPG where you play as Alaris, a hero summoned to a world threatened by demons. Tasked with rescuing vanished wizards and defeating demonic forces, you can develop Alaris into a melee fighter, archer, or mage. The demo lets you explore the first level, uncovering secrets and battling enemies using skillful platforming and combat. Hidden items, including a legendary warhammer, await discovery, offering a glimpse into the game’s rich lore and dynamic gameplay.
Aris Arcanum: Spellcrafting Roguelite in a Victorian Setting
In Aris Arcanum, you play as Clyde, a scholar caught in a cosmic horror saga set within a magical Victorian library. As the sealed alien entity corrupts the environment, you must craft spells, defeat enemies, and explore procedurally generated halls. The demo features an early version of the game, showcasing spell creation, a challenging boss fight, and a side quest. Experiment with different spell combinations to discover powerful builds, and prepare for unpredictable challenges in subsequent runs.
Heroes of Mount Dragon: A Dragon-Transforming Brawler
Developed by RuniQ, a talented indie studio composed of veterans from major gaming companies, Heroes of Mount Dragon is a side-scrolling beat-em-up with a fantasy twist. Choose from eight heroes, each capable of transforming into mighty dragons with unique abilities. Play solo or team up with friends in local or online co-op, managing transformations, combat skills, and powerful upgrades. The game features competitive multiplayer modes and mischievous curses to disrupt opponents—think electrifying, shrinking, or flipping controls. The demo offers a taste of four heroes and half of the first kingdom, with more adventures awaiting in the full game.
Emma Blake
Emma is a tech-savvy news editor who thrives on staying ahead of the curve. With a background in digital journalism and media studies, she brings readers up-to-the-minute updates on gaming, tech, and entertainment trends. Emma’s writing is sharp, insightful, and always backed by credible sources. Her mission is to keep the community informed and curious about the fast-changing digital world.
