February’s Steam Next Fest has come to an end, and as someone who goes all in on those events, the crop of games offered this time around was some of the strongest yet. Here are my top five from the event, and if you stay to the end, I added some “honorable mentions.”
Always in Mind
Developed by Inevitable Studios, Always in Mind drew me in with surrealist art and the description on Steam. (I’m a mom to a five-year-old boy, and this looked like something he’d cuddle up next to me and watch me play.)
A story-rich adventure set in the mind of a young boy named Teddy. Embark on a surreal journey across breathtaking mindscapes as you unlock unbelievable powers and forge an unlikely bond with an AI companion named “Proxy.”
I’ll be the first person to admit that I can be terrible at platforming – but Always in Mind didn’t punish me for it. Jumping and paragliding felt fun and appropriate for the setting, and my pal Proxy made me smile every time. It was a little easy to get lost, but by the end of my time with the demo, getting lost was my favorite part.
Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2156950/Always_in_Mind/
Little Known Galaxy
I learned after playing Little Known Galaxy that developers Carbon & Key are a two-person husband and wife team! I love that. Little Known Galaxy is clearly inspired by games like Stardew Valley, with the important distinction that you’re in SPACE!
Join Space Alliance as a new captain-in-training and work with your crew to solve the mysteries of an ancient relic found on the Grey Planet. Little-Known Galaxy is a cozy single-player RPG space adventure full of friendly characters, exploration, crafting, and farming.
The game has a ton of wonderful humor and lots of things to do in the demo, which has me excited for the full release. I’m excited about exploring other planets, unmasking the mystery of the Grey Planet, and restoring my ship from a run-down mess to the best in the galaxy.
Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2521600/LittleKnown_Galaxy/
Lost Twins II
From Pakistani developer Playdew, it was the hand-drawn art, flowy music, and easy-to-learn mechanics that earned Lost Twins II a spot as one of my favorite demos of Next Fest this time around. You play as Abi and Ben to gather feathers to solve levels and keep going on their journey.
An incredibly cute puzzle adventure that will challenge, entertain and maybe even inspire you. Help Abi and Ben on their journey as they move across platforms, engage in challenging puzzles, swap tiles to create paths and overcome obstacles to reunite and find their way back home.
As in other games, you have to trigger switches to open doors for the other sibling and such, but in Lost Twins II, the levels are split into three rooms and you can change their placement so certain exits/entrances can match up.
Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1752540/Lost_Twins_II/
Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior
From Sand Door Studio and published by Quantic Dream, I’ve been captivated by Lysfanga since it was revealed at Summer Game Fest 2023. After pouring hundreds of hours into Diablo III, I fell in love with isometric action games. I was ecstatic to see this come to Next Fest, especially with its release date so soon.
Your Kingdom’s fate relies on you… you… and you. Rewind time to create clones of your past-selves, and fight with an army of your own. Become legion and triumph over hordes of monsters to rescue Antala in this Hack ‘n’ Slash game with a tactical twist.
Lysfanga isn’t just a Diablo clone, it’s more strategic than that. During combat, encounters will reset, and each time, you’ll have a clone – remnant – of yourself that follows the previous path you took. It’s certainly an easy-to-learn, fun to try and master technique.
Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2161620/Lysfanga_The_Time_Shift_Warrior/
Until Then
Until Then is a visual novel from Polychroma Games, a ten-person studio from the Philippines. You play as Mark Borja, a piano-playing high schooler who enjoys playing games and finishing school assignments the period before they’re due. You meet Mark’s friends in the demo – a fellow procrastinator/basketball player named Ryan and Louise, a high achiever, class President, and Mark’s crush among others.
A fateful meeting sets off a chain reaction, upending Mark’s life. People disappear and memories prove unreliable. Uncover a hidden truth with Mark and his friends in this narrative adventure and race to unravel the mystery before it’s too late.
What struck me, aside from the pixelated art style, was the realism of it all. From Mark trying to find meaning in everyday life, scrolling social media, those moments of panic trying to complete something in the moments before it’s due to the feeling of feelings not being reciprocated… It spoke to me, and I know it’ll speak to others.
Steam Page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1574820/Until_Then/
(You can only be part of a Next Fest once, but hopefully these guys keep their demos up a little bit longer.)
Botany Manor from Balloon Studios: My simulation sickness aside, this one was so fun. You get to explore a cool mansion AND research and grow plants? It was cozy AF and I can’t wait to play it in April on Game Pass.
Copycat from Spoonful of Wonder: A game where I can be an orange tabby? SAY NO MORE. The demo was all about you, a newly adopted stray, settling into your new household, but it looks to be so much more.
Crypt Custodian from Kyle Thompson: Poor Pluto is stuck in the afterlife as its newest janitor, which is sad because he’s such an adorable cat. The world we got to explore in the demo was large, enemies varied, and the visual style is great.
Harold Halibut from Slow Bros.: The art direction is stunning. The stop-motion animation, full voice acting, and the diverse set of characters you meet are gold. It’s been in the works for over seven years now, and you can tell all the love that’s been put into it.
Magical Delicacy from Skaule: I’ve been waiting to get my hands on this one and wasn’t disappointed. I’ve grown to love and enjoy cooking games over the last few years, and this one has MAGIC included. Win-win.