Seemingly to coincide with Summer Games Fest, Steam is currently running a huge event called Next Fest 2024 to celebrate a summer of gaming. The event is giving players plenty of opportunities to play some free games and experience lots of new titles.
TheSteam Next Festcontains a host of creators and publishers giving you a chance to try their new games on PC and there are hundreds of titles to download right now. We’ve scoured the selection, tried out countless games, and are bringing you a selection of the 12 must-play games from the Steam Next Fest.
Once Human
Once Human
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If multiplayer open-world games are your jam, you have to be aware ofOnce Human, a game filled with weirdness. Between building your own territory and fighting bonkers monsters, you can work with friends to survive this dark and bleak world. One of the key features of the game is the range of weaponry available to use and the vast survival mechanics on display. There’s a huge amount of customisation included, so you can make this world your own.
The Alters
Alters
The Altersis a bit of an odd one - a strategy game based on cloning your character in order to help with all the tasks. But what if each clone had a very different personality? Essentially, it’s a survival strategy where you’re fighting to live in a hostile environment. The key to surviving is having enough hands for all the small jobs, and the solution is cloning. When Sam playedthe previewfor GAMINGbible he was impressed and said “I was left with loads of questions and a desire to find the answers.”
Wizard of Legend 2
Wizard of Legends 2
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The much-anticipated sequel to the indie darling,Wizards of Legend 2brings more magic and rogue-lite gameplay for co-op fans. Four players can gather together to tackle bosses and large environments filled with traps and enemies. With a brand new 3D visual style, it’s very much more of the same but cooked with new ideas. If you were a fan of the first game, this has to be on your wishlist.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Gorgeous action platformer,Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus, is based on Japanese folklore and channels massive Hollow Knight vibes. This stands out due to its art style which is incredibly lush, bursting with bright colours.Bois a fast-paced precision platformer with great combat that will hopefully stand out among this summer’s games as one to play. I also have to mention, the soundtrack is just as wonderful as the visuals.
Dungeons of Hinterberg
Dungeons of Hinterberg
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Cel-shaded graphics are like candy for the eyes andDungeons of Hinterbergis a feast. But this one doesn’t just look gorgeous, it’s got a superb combat loop that keeps you coming back. It’s worth noting that this is a tough nut to crack but once you’ve locked down the basics you can begin to truly master the world around you. Dungeon crawling has never been this good and the demo will leave you wanting more.
Tavern Talk
Tavern Talk
REKA
REKA
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Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
Flintlock
I got an early hands-on with the demo ofFlintlockand was very impressed. It’s kind of a Soulslike that mixes in some real-world ideas with its otherworldly demons and gods - you play as a sapper who is an expert in explosives who is whisked up in a battle with the gods. It does enough to stand out in a constantly crowded genre and stands out due to its movement mechanics. If you like tough action games, then you’re going to have a blast with this, literally and figuratively.In my preview, I said I loved it and that “I’ll be there from day one of full release to join in.”
Chocolate Factory
Chocolate Factory
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If you were obsessed with Willy Wonka’s Factory ofmurderchocolate then you’re going to loveChocolate Factory. It’s a strategy game where creating the best chocolate factory is the goal and it’s all done via automation. Think Factorio but with confectionary. There’s some light exploration and combat thrown in, but you’re here to create sweet treats in a world of candy cane forests and gumdrop hills. Using a first-person view, you can really get in there and create a sprawling world of sweet-making.
The Crush House
The Crush House
There’s just so much going on inThe Crush House; it’s straight, it’s gay, it’s a reality TV show, and it has a sinister secret hidden under the cartoon visuals. This is a syrupy world of drama, backstabbing, and performing for the audience. If you’ve ever wanted to go on a reality TV show and just mess with everyone, you have to take some time to check out this demo. It’s brilliantly fun.
I am Your Beast
I am your Beast
Boomer shooters have been on the come up for the past few years and there’s more to them than just DOOM.I am Your Beastis one such shooter, but the art style sets it apart from the competition with lush comic book visuals paired with secret agent gameplay and big weapons to utilise. It’s a bombastic experience that channels old-school shooters with a modern flair. Banging soundtrack, great gunplay, it’s very different to other modern shooters and wears that fact with pride.
Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers
Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers
Roguelike and cards are a match made in heaven and this combination has been on a run of success lately.Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblersis the latest to take a card game and give it the genre’s spin. An adapted version of Blackjack awaits and a wealth of unique cards will shake up everything you know about the game. With over 250 unique cards and 60 characters to defeat, you’re going to be dedicating many hours to playing through this delightful roguelike.
Topics:Free Games,PC,Steam,Indie Games
