Okay, it’s that time of year. We are already in the second month of 2024, and the Steam Next Fest in February 2024 has come and gone. I planned to limit the number of demos I looked at. I resolved to do so many demos every day, a mix of live streams and gameplay footage, and before I realized it, I’d covered 50 demos. So I decided to share my impressions of each demo I played. Because there are 50 demos, I’ll attempt to keep them to at least a small passage per game. Also, to avoid one long article, I am splitting it into several articles. So, let us continue our adventure through the 50 demos I played during Steam Next Fest.
| STEAM NEXT FEST DAY 7: FEBRUARY 11, 2024 |
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Neckbolt |
| Publisher | Burning Planet Digital |
| Genre | Metroidvania |
| Release Date | Q2 2024 |
| Platform | PC |
Alruna is a compact and high-density Metroidvania that emphasizes sequence-breaking and playing out of order.
It’s difficult to find games to play during Steam Next Fest when you’re always drawn to roguelite or roguelike games. So when I saw Alruna, I figured it’d be a great change from roguelites and roguelikes. I liked the graphics in the game; however, I had some difficulty with the controls. The game does indicate that it supports the controller partially, and if you’re using a Dualshock, you must connect it via USB, so I’d want to see the controller parts improved a little more. Because keyboard controls aren’t what comes to mind when I think of metroidvanias or platformers.
I found the game’s story engaging, and I still enjoy the game’s retro atmosphere. So I’m excited to see what happens with the game once it’s released.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | SFB Games |
| Publisher | SFB Games |
| Genre | Survival Horror Third-Person Shooter |
| Release Date | 2024 |
| Platform | PC |
The year is 1990. It’s been two years since Edward Crow’s strange disappearance and the sudden closing of his theme park, Crow Country. But, Mara Forest, your arrival has broken the silence. To uncover answers, you must go deep into Crow Country’s darkness.
I decided to try to get out of my gaming comfort zone, so I looked into the Horror genre again and discovered Crow Country. First and foremost, I believe it’s incredible how effectively the devs were able to recreate the playstyle and graphics of the late 1990s for gameplay. Normally, I would have had a problem with the controls, but I keep thinking about how games were in the mid-1990s and how they would have played on the PlayStation One; thus the occasionally weird controls are valid for nostalgic reasons.
Now, I don’t play Survival Horror games very frequently, so technically, I’m a noob. However, I noticed that some of the monsters in the game moved a bit too slowly. Again, I’m not sure if that’s normal in Survival Horror games or if later on there are monsters with more speed, but even with the monster moving slowly, I had some trouble pointing the pistol until I discovered I needed to use the d-pad instead of the analog stick. Overall, as someone who does not generally play this genre, I thought the game was nice and on the correct track.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Abbey Games |
| Publisher | Firesquid |
| Genre | Strategy God Game |
| Release Date | May 23, 2024 |
| Platform | PC |
Create planets with your heavenly giants. Create symbiotic ecosystems and inspire people with your creations. Their successes open up new opportunities. Create distinct planets for different human spirits, and bring the universe to life!
When it came to Reus 2, I liked the visuals of the game when it came to the three gods that you use to set up the world. I was a little confused when it came to certain aspects of the game. Like talking to gods gives your leader of the settlement inspiration, but I didn’t know exactly what it did. Then, as time went on, it said that I had completed said inspiration, but again, I don’t even know what it did. Also, I wish it would explain that once you set up the three biomes, the last one you set up takes up the rest of the world. I was unsure if I could terraform with the other gods because I didn’t try it, but I’m hoping that’s the case because I ended up with almost half of my world as a desert, which isn’t what I wanted.
Overall, if you like civilization games that feature gods, then I would recommend giving Reus 2 a try if you can.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | MiTale |
| Publisher | MiTale |
| Genre | Action RPG Deckbuilder |
| Release Date | To Be Announced |
| Platform | PC |
Willow Guard is a single-player, story-driven fantasy RPG that combines dungeon-crawling action with interactive literature.
Once I started playing Willow Guard, I thought it was very interesting. There was an issue with the demo in that when you chose to try out the Tutorial, it became stuck and did not advance to the tutorial. As a result, I had to restart the game and go immediately into battle, which left me a little perplexed about what I was supposed to be doing, but after I got the feel of it, it was interesting.
I enjoyed the story, and while this is a deckbuilding game with RPG aspects, it felt more like an Action RPG than I’m used to from deckbuilding games. Like, you meditate at the campfire to obtain additional cards, but I’m not sure whether the cards make that much of a difference for me. I believe the game could have done without the cards.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Egg or Chicken Games |
| Publisher | Alawar |
| Genre | RPG Exploration |
| Release Date | Apr 17, 2024 |
| Platform | PC |
Kingsgrave puts you in the shoes of a monarch who awakens from a long slumber to discover his kingdom decimated by a terrible plague. The world is torn apart, hideous creatures roam freely, and your once rich people are battling to live. It is your duty to recapture your land, defeat the plague’s creatures, and rebuild what has been lost.
One thing I enjoyed about Kingsgrave was that, in addition to learning new fighting techniques, you could repair villages and revitalize your kingdom as you explored the area. This increases your sense of involvement in the repair of the world by introducing a layer of resource management and decision-making.
I thought the game’s controls were really solid, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Kingsgrave. If you enjoy Zelda-style games and resource management, I recommend giving Kingsgrave a try.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Momo-pi |
| Publisher | SHUEISHA GAMES |
| Genre | Turn-Based Tactics Puzzle |
| Release Date | Feb 29, 2024 |
| Platform | PC macOS |
Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions is a one-of-a-kind genre mash-up, combining a coming-of-age story with tactical turn-based fights and references to the popular Jump+ manga universe. Stepping into the shoes of Damien, a bashful child attempting to adjust to his new life in Japan, players enter his imaginative world as the titular Captain Velvet Meteor, collaborating with legendary Jump+ heroes to solve obstacles.
The game’s main strength is its poignant story, and the turn-based fights provide a great mix of puzzle and tactical components. I also thought the art images were clean and colorful, providing a whimsical ambiance that complemented the game’s concept nicely. While the main gameplay elements are enjoyable, the fighting encounters can become repetitive after a while, and the real-world exploring segments feel fairly limited, delivering more visual novel-style interactions than open-world exploration.
Overall, Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions is a charming and poignant game that combines coming-of-age themes with exciting tactical gameplay. While it may not provide the most in-depth strategic experience or vast exploration, its highlights include a meaningful tale and an overall heartwarming theme. If you’re seeking a unique and emotive indie game with strategic combat and a touch of nostalgia, Captain Velvet Meteor is a must-see.
| Game Name |  |
| Developer | Sparrow Night |
| Publisher | Twin Sails Interactive |
| Genre | Management Simulation |
| Release Date | February 13, 2024 |
| Price | $19.99 USD $17.99 USD Until Feb 20, 2024 |
| Platform | PC macOS |
In News Tower, you can grow your newspaper and become New York’s new media magnate! In this tycoon game, you must construct and run your newspaper from it’s printer right down to it’s bathroom. Create your editorial line, guide your journalists through distinctive 1930s stories, and find the latest scoops! In News Tower, you can grow your newspaper and become New York’s new media magnate! In this tycoon game, you must construct and run your newspaper from it’s printer right down to its bathroom. Create your editorial line, guide your journalists through distinctive 1930s stories, and find the latest scoops!
So one of the things I liked about News Tower when I played the demo was the rich 1930s setting and the intriguing newspaper management gameplay. Building your media empire and managing the moral quandaries of publishing some stories creates an engaging experience.
However, juggling budgets, staffing requirements, and printing deadlines can be difficult, especially for newbies to management games. Also, some may find that sending reporters out for stories and managing resources becomes repetitive after a while.
News Tower appears to be a promising indie game with an interesting subject and gameplay. If you enjoy management games, respect historical settings, and are willing to deal with any early access issues, it may be worth checking out.
