The last Steam Subsequent Fest event of the year is here. Valve hosts one of these events every few months on Steam and encourages developers to share demos and trailers for their upcoming PC games. Initially only independent developers participated, but more high-profile studios recently joined. That only makes it harder to find some of the best games on offer, as there are hundreds of demos available.
I played several demos featured at Steam Subsequent Fest October 2024 ahead of the event and want to highlight my favorites. From strategy RPGs to silly physics-based platformers, these seven Steam Subsequent Fest demos are worth checking out.
Steam Next Fest: October 2024 Edition starts today and runs until 10 a.m. PT on October 21.
rogue maze
A common cliché in many fantasy narratives, such as Visions of manaIt is a kind of “World Tree” that is essential to the plot. In rogue mazeA billionaire settler took over that tree and turned it into a maze so the unlucky contestants can make their way through. That's the narrative backdrop for Tea Witch Games' new game, which is shaping up to be the next action roguelike to capture my attention. I especially like how enemies turn into projectiles and start bouncing around the room after you kill them. The developers call this “controlled bullet hell,” but I like how it gives rogue maze a more chaotic feel than many of its similar peers.
rogue maze will enter early access for PC in January 2025.
empty suns
I admit that I wasn't completely on board with the idea of a “minimalist Souslike” when I first saw it. empty sunsbut I enjoyed their Steam Subsequent Fest demo more than something more maximalist like star sword. At the beginning of this year, minishoot adventures I Found a Way to Make a Shooter Game Look Like a Legend of Zelda Game, and Now empty suns is doing something similar but with the Souslike formula. You'll manage stamina as you attack and dodge, fight tough enemies, and recover your lost “suns” when you die. However, everything is made of basic shapes and colors rather than a detailed fantasy world.
Finite Reflection Studios and Modern Wolf's empty suns will be released for PC on November 12.
permafrost
Yeah Frostpunk 2 If it were a typical survival game instead of a city building game, it would seem permafrost. This game from SpaceRocket Games and Toplitz Productions takes place in a post-apocalyptic world trapped in a perpetual winter. Set against a snowy backdrop, you'll do everything you'd expect in a survival game: collect and search for resources that you can use to stay alive and build structures. The survival game genre is immensely popular and I think Permafrost The unique environment gives it enough edge to stand out. This is doubly true if the developers can fix some of the game's rougher edges before release, such as its AI-generated voices.
permafrost will be released for PC in 2025.
Bonaparte: a mechanized revolution
After being intrigued by a hands-off preview back in August, I finally got the chance to try it out. Bonaparte: a mechanized revolution with its Steam Next Fest demo. Everything I thought then still stands: Bonaparte is an accessible alternate history strategy game. The French Revolution is an excellent setting for a strategy game, and Bonaparte The steampunk and mecha aspects give it a unique touch. is part Fire Emblempart crusader kings. Strategy game fans should have Studio Imugi's debut title on their radar.
Bonaparte: a mechanized revolution will enter early access on Steam in the first quarter of 2025.
Beware of the goblins!
Games like Goat simulator, human: flat falland Chained together have popularized a subgenre of comedic platformers that emphasize unstable physics and memorable moments above all else. Beware of the goblins! by SQYD.studio is the latest of these, and I had a lot of fun playing their Steam Subsequent Fest demo. In fact, you can run pretty fast and have a lot of control after launching yourself into the air, which makes it more fun than some of its fun 3D platforming peers. At the very least, this game will generate some fun Twitch streams and YouTube videos.
Beware of the goblins! will enter early access for PC sometime in 2025.
keep driving
Somehow, the developers at YCJY Video games found a way to turn driving into a procedurally generated RPG. keep driving The demo shows a young adult lost while traveling to a friend's house for the weekend. Players have to manage several different resources and participate in “Road Event” turn-based battles where skills are used to overcome any obstacle you face, such as a slow tractor in front of you. keep driving It feels like a modern reinterpretation of The Oregon Trail formula, and I'm excited to see how the full experience unfolds.
keep driving is in development for PC.
Achilles: survivor
vampire survivors Clones have been quite prominent in the indie scene lately. Of all those available in this Steam Next Fest, I recommend taking a look Achilles: survivor. It is technically a replica of Achilles: Untold Legendsthat came out last year, and that's what vampire survivors It would be as if it were made in Unreal Engine. It has all the details you would expect from a vampire survivors-looks like it, but stands out with a building mechanic that allows players to build turrets and other objects to help fight the endless horde of enemies. This is some of the best mindless fun you can have at this Steam Next Fest.
Achilles: survivor will be released on PC sometime before the end of the year.