Steam Next Fest is a major event held by Valve three times each year. It’s a huge online showcase where you can try out demos of hundreds of games still in development. It’s particularly helpful for independent game developers to get their games noticed, and it’s a great opportunity for PC gamers to discover new titles to add to their wishlists. The current Steam Next Fest, taking place in February 2026, runs from February 23rd to March 2nd.
Steam Next Fest is a lot of fun, but with so many demos, streams, and announcements, it can be hard to know where to start. While checking the trending charts is helpful, you might miss some great games that aren’t getting as much attention. I’ve played a bunch of demos early, and I want to share a few of the most exciting ones – a mix of popular titles and hidden gems that I think you’ll really enjoy.
7) Windrose
Genre: Open-World Survival
We’ve placed this game last because you’ve probably already seen its demo is incredibly popular on Steam. Called Windrose, it’s a new survival game with a pirate theme that’s getting a lot of buzz at Steam Next Fest – and rightfully so, as many gamers are still hoping for a fantastic open-world pirate experience.
As of today, the Windrose demo is receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews. It’s a fairly substantial demo, offering around 5 hours of early-game content, and even includes co-op play. It does require a more powerful computer than some other demos, but it’s definitely worth trying if you haven’t yet.
6) Witchspire
Genre: Action Adventure RPG
I’m always drawn to games with “witch” in the title, and Witchspire definitely caught my attention. It’s a survival crafting game with a fun twist – you can collect and battle with creatures called Familiars, similar to Pokémon. It’s already gaining popularity during the Steam Next Fest, and I had to include it in my list!
The Witchspire demo offers a good first glimpse into the game’s magical world. You can play up to level 7, encounter some helpful Familiars, and even fly around on your broomstick exploring the initial island. While the demo is still a bit unpolished, it shows a lot of promise. If you enjoy magical survival games, the Witchspire demo is worth trying out during Next Fest.
5) Animalkind
Genre: Sandbox Exploration
Okay, let me tell you why you need to check out this demo: it’s all about a ridiculously cute corgi… in a mech suit! Seriously, that alone is worth it. I got to play Animalkind, and it’s this really cozy game where you design your own adorable animal character and explore a world filled with weird, cool tech. You get to pilot a mech, and the goal is to work with other animals to rebuild the town. I played through it solo and had a blast, but the best part is they just added multiplayer in the Steam Next Fest demo! You can now play with up to three friends, which sounds amazing.
This demo offers a great introduction to the core gameplay of this charming animal mech game. You’ll be able to create your character and explore the world, experiencing crafting, collecting resources, and controlling your mech. Even if you don’t plan on playing with friends, this updated demo is worth trying out to see the improvements to the story and user interface.
4) Deep Dish Dungeon
Genre: Action RPG
Deep Dish Dungeon is a unique game that blends classic dungeon exploration with survival crafting and the exploration-focused gameplay of Metroidvania titles. I’ve been looking forward to it, and I was excited to try the demo released during Steam Next Fest. The game revolves around navigating a dungeon full of puzzles and gathering food and materials. True to its name, a big part of the experience is cooking delicious, stat-boosting meals and discovering new recipes.
The new demo for Deep Dish Dungeon is worth trying – about an hour of gameplay lets you explore the core mechanics. If you like classic dungeon crawling, puzzle-solving, and collecting recipes, keep an eye on this game! While the demo is currently rated Very Positive, it doesn’t feature quite as much food-related content as the title might suggest.
3) Delverium
Genre: Sandbox Survival
If you’re into games like Minecraft, where you can just wander around and build whatever you want, you need to check out Delverium. It’s a really cool mix of farming sim and survival game, and the world is huge and randomly generated, so every playthrough is different. Basically, you’re building up a farm, getting some NPCs to help you out, and discovering all sorts of hidden stuff. It’s a lot of fun!
This demo gives you a lot of freedom, but friendly characters are there to guide you through the initial steps. Once you get going, you’ll spend your time exploring a pixelated world, collecting materials, and trying to stay alive. A highlight of the demo is the multiplayer feature, letting you play with up to 8 friends. If you enjoy building bases and open-world survival games, Delverium is definitely a demo worth checking out during February’s Next Fest.
2) The Last Gas Station
Genre: Shopkeeping Sim
I’m a big fan of relaxing management games – I’ve spent a lot of time running virtual businesses like restaurants and farms. But I hadn’t yet managed a gas station in the middle of nowhere, until I tried the demo for The Last Gas Station. This charming pixel art game immediately grabbed me with its intriguing mystery as you take on the role of running a remote gas station and convenience store.
This demo gives you a good feel for how the game works and starts to tell a story. You’ll manage tasks like fueling cars, stocking shelves, and helping customers to improve your gas station’s reputation. It’s already received very positive feedback, and many players, including me, are excited to see where this charming and intriguing gas station simulation goes.
1) Outbound
Genre: Cozy Exploration
Outbound was a standout demo at the February 2026 Steam Next Fest, quickly becoming one of the most popular. I personally loved playing it and found myself wanting to keep going even while researching for this list! The game is all about exploring the outdoors with your own customizable camping caravan. You’ll spend your days discovering a vibrant and colorful world, collecting supplies, and then return to camp to build and improve your mobile base.
I usually avoid games with a first-person view because they often give me headaches. However, Outbound lets you switch to a third-person view while driving, which was a great solution. Even in first-person while walking around, the movement was smooth enough that I didn’t experience any discomfort. I quickly found myself enjoying the relaxing cycle of collecting items, discovering new areas, and unlocking improvements. I played the demo before Next Fest, and the developers have already made some helpful changes. If you enjoy laid-back base-building games, it’s definitely worth trying out.
Planning to try out lots of demos during the Steam Next Fest, or just a select few? Share your thoughts and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/7-promising-new-early-access-games-to-watch-in-2026/embed/#
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2026-02-24 22:42