Check Out These Demos (and Many More) During February's Steam Next Fest
With Steam Next Fest 2025 on the way next week, we here at Six One Indie have been keeping an eye out for awesome games that are participating in the event. We couldn’t possibly cover every one so instead, we’ve put together just a short list of some of the demos we can’t wait to play next week. These are games to definitely add to your wishlist and keep on your radar, but this only scratches the surface of the hundreds of new demos you can grab during the Steam Next Fest.
Head over to Steam February 23rd to March 3rd to see, play and wishlist some amazing upcoming games.
Ruffy and the Riverside
From Zockrates Laboratories UG, Ruffy and the Riverside is a hand-drawn action-adventure game where you wield the magic of SWAP to copy and paste different textures. Turn ice into lava or waterfalls into vines, it’s all up to your imagination. Stop the villain Groll from destroying the World Core and throwing Riverside into Chaos.
The Ruffy and the Riverside demo is available right now on Steam.
The Knightling
The Knightling is an open world, action-adventure game from developer Twirlbound. Play as the trusted knightling of the great Sir Lionstone. When Sir Lionstone goes missing on his latest quest, you take it upon yourself to use the legendary shield he left behind to become the hero the people need. Fend off bandits and monsters, explore the many regions and uncover the truth of the shield's unparalleled power.
The Knightling demo is available right now on Steam.
Dice of Arcana
Dice of Arcana is a roguelite dice game where your life is on the line. Journey on a caravan led by a malevolent puppy master where you must use the luck of the dice and your wits by strategically controlling miniatures to outscore your opponents. Strategize by assembling the best hand of dice and miniatures to win. But beware, failing to secure a victory could mean not only losing the game, but also a part of yourself.
The Dice of Arcana demo is available right now on Steam. It is also set to launch into Early Access on April 29th
Nova Hearts
In Nova Hearts you play as Luce, a young woman who has returned to her hometown for the summer to escape her past, but the town of Vermillion has secrets to hide. When a mysterious cosmic force grants Luce magical powers, Luce and her friends Will and CJ will have to fight off a strange threat as the ultimate magical girl crew. Uncover an immersive story, defined vermillion from monsters and villains and power up your cosmic abilities in this turn-based visual novel and dating sim.
The Nova Hearts demo is available right now on Steam.
Inspector Schmidt - The Ebbing
Inspector Schmidt - The Ebbing is a detective RPG where players must untangle a thick web of intrigue, lies and secrets surrounding the mysterious death of Bente Hansen. The townspeople are in turmoil over the murder and want answers. Players will be able to move around the coastal 1870s town to search for clues. Use a dialogue mechanic to question the residents and gather compelling information to find out what secrets they are hiding.
Inspector Schmidt - The Ebbing demo is available right now on Steam. The game is also set to release on April 7th, 2025.
Bluma
In Bluma, the world’s realms have fallen apart and they are in need of a hero to harness the light of Harmonia and unite them once again. Play as Bluma as she journeys to each of the elemental realms, solves puzzles, discovers secrets and plants vegetables! Bluma has a weapon called the Bloom Bow that allows her to connect flowers in order to create platforms for solving physics-based puzzles. Enjoy the game’s relaxing environment with no enemies or timers to worry about.
The Bluma demo is available right now on Steam.
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days
From Developer PikPok, Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is a psychological horror game where you lead a band of survivors struggling to find refuge during a horrifying zombie apocalypse. Craft weapons, scavenge resources, balance your group’s needs and try to get out of danger alive. Based in Texas during the 1980s, players will find themselves in Walton City, a sprawling, coastal metropolis overrun with hordes of the undead.
The Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days demo is available right now on Steam.
Horror at Highrook
Published by Nullpointer Games and Outersloth, the team behind CLICKOLDING, Horror at Highrook is an occult card crafting narrative RPG. Inspired by HP Lovecraft, Edgar Allen Poe and Bram Stoker, players will investigate a gothic-horror mystery through disturbing letters, fraught conversations and evocative artwork. Combine characters, items and locations to craft tools, potions and occult rites. Progress through the story and gain the insight needed to succeed.
The Horror at Highrook has a demo available right now on Steam.
The King is Watching
Developed by Hypnohead and Published by tinyBuild, The King is Watching is a roguelite kingdom builder. In The King is Watching, only your watchful eye can help your peasants and workers to understand the importance of good, hard work. Players must balance resource production, troop training and more is what will save your kingdom. Get distracted and all production will stop. Teach your people hard work and enable your Kingdom to thrive.
The King is Watching has a demo available right now on Steam.
Once Upon a Puppet
In Once Upon a Puppet from developer Flatter Than Earth and Publisher Daedalic Entertainment, players control the strings of fate and embark on a grand adventure. Once Upon a Puppet is a 2.5D platformer within a vibrant world of theater. Take part in a magical tale that combines classic platforming with puppet-inspired gameplay and enjoy a story of friendship, self-discovery and redemption.
The Once Upon a Puppet demo is available right now on Steam.
A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe
From Quail Button LLC, A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe is a point-and-click puzzle game about a Giraffe who is trying his very hardest to avoid talking to anyone in his day-to-day life. Each day players will have to complete certain tasks and chores for Giraffe with the ultimate goal of avoiding human interaction completely. A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe features adorable hand-drawn art and gameplay reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures.
A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe has a demo available on Steam right now.
Chains of Freedom
A turn-based tactics game from Developer Nordcurrent, Chains of Freedom is a high-stakes, thrilling journey where you lead an elite squad in a fictional, dystopian Eastern Europe. As you delve deeper into a conspiracy threatening the nation, players will engage in tactical combat that will demand precision with every move. Arm your team with a variety of weapons and gear and adapt their skills to meet the ever-changing challenges. Unravel a complex plot involving a rogue scientist, mind control serums and a government teetering on the edge of collapse.
Chains of Freedom will have a demo available starting February 21st on Steam.
Doloc Town
Doloc Town is a cozy pixel art farm simulation game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Build up your dream farm from scratch and explore a mysterious wasteland. Get to know the stories of the forgotten land as you discover your destiny and explore deeper into unknown territories. Construct buildings, upgrade facilities and craft advanced tools to turn your little corner into a farming paradise.
Doloc Town has a demo available right now on Steam.