Another Steam Next Fest is around the corner – starting on the 9th of October. Which means another chance to get hands-on with hundreds of awesome-looking games. Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming with the sheer number of games to try. Therefore, we thought we’d share some that we’re definitely going to be checking out, to maybe inspire you!
Sentry

Release Date: Coming Soon
Demo: Confirmed – Out Now
Genre: FPS, Tower Defense, Strategy
I had the pleasure of playing this tower defense-style FPS game at WASD earlier this year. The brief time gave me a good feel for what SENTRY offers. You play as a member of the SENTRY defense program and must protect the precious human cargo aboard your spaceship as alien invaders try to breach and destroy the vessel.
Build up defenses with strategically placed traps and turrets that will slow down or wipe out the invaders as you funnel them through chokepoints or fight them in the open. Each round you will face a higher threat with more breach points to manage, with increasing enemies’ numbers and types. The gameplay starts off fairly chilled, but things quickly escalate and if you’re not paying attention, you will be overrun.
It’s a really fun take on the tower-defense genre, plus you can play it in online co-op. Definitely one to check out if you enjoy franticly building defenses between rounds and shooting aliens!
My Work is not yet done

Release Date: TBC
Demo: Confirmed – Out Now
Genre: Horror, Survival, Adventure
I feel like My Work Is Not Yet Done will likely split people solely based on its style. Personally, I think it looks great. But this narrative-driven investigation horror game looks creepy as hell and I’m here for it!
The game follows the last days of a doomed scientific expedition into a remote stretch of sinking country. You must work to track down the source of a strange transmission whilst surviving the eerie and ever-shifting landscape. It is about haunted radion signals, catastrophic failures, and the encroaching emptiness of the wilderness around you. It sounds unsettling, creepy, and weird. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it.
Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin

Release Date: 17th November 2023
Demo: Confirmed
Genre: Strategy, Action RTS, RTS, Warhammer
Frontier Developments has a pretty good reputation for strategy games with F1 Manager, Planet Coaster, Zoo Tycoon, and more. Therefore, I feel like we’re in fairly safe hands here Realms of Ruin.
Wage a brutal campaign in this RTS set in the Age of Sigmar universe. As you lead four unique factions to conquer the wild Realm of Ghur in tense tactical battles. It looks beautiful and like the Age of Sigmar, models have really been brought to life. The combat looks really fun and interesting. With a comprehensive single-player campaign, various multiplayer modes, and a map editor this game is looking sharp!
Peripeteia

Release Date: Coming Soon
Demo: Confirmed – Out Now
Genre: FPS, RPG, Hacking, Stealth
Heavily inspired by immersive sims made by Ion Storm and Looking Glass Studios, Peripeteia is an FPS that mixes stealth with shooter and RPG mechanics. Set in an alternative cyberpunk version of Poland, you play as a young cybernetic supersoldier making their way as a mercenary in a post-soviet world full of corruption.
Use tactics, wit, and violence to complete tasks in conspiracy and mystery. When logic and skill fail, whip out your gun and rain bullets, whilst also making use of climbing routes virtually anywhere to get the drop or get out. With a retro vibe that looks awesome, this could be a really fun game.
Songs of Silence

Release Date: Coming Soon
Demo: Confirmed
Genre: Magic, Adventure, War, 4X
Sometimes you just see a single piece of artwork or screenshot from a game and you’re immediately drawn in. Songs of Silence was exactly that for me. This story-rich strategy game set in two distinct fantasy worlds looks beautiful.
With a mix of turn-based kingdom-building, exploration, and intense real-time battles you will be unleashing armies supported by powerful combat cards unique to each faction. With over 100 different units to construct you will have a huge range of diversity as you conquer lands leading your armies across randomly generated maps.
Enshourded

Release Date: Coming Soon
Demo: Confirmed – Out Now
Genre: Survival, Action RPG, Base Building, Crafting
I feel like there has been quite a bit of buzz around Enshrouded so I’m sure survival fans will be eager to get stuck into this one. Set within a sprawling voxel-based continent you will start in the wilds with nothing. Build your base up and set out on adventures take will take you through forests, caves, dungeons, and more. Fighting all manner of beasts as you try to ignite the ancient power of the flame and piece together the fragments of story that unfolds below the surface.
Playable with up to 16 people, this is PVE focused survival game more akin to Valhiem. Where you will be working together more than fighting each other. I know there are lots of people who like the idea of survival games where you base build but are always put off by PVP. This might be the game for you.
It looks really nice. The environment looks good, the enemies look cool with some really interesting-looking boss types. I’m excited for this one and I think you should be too.
Empty shell

Release Date: 16th October 2023
Demo: Confirmed – Prologues available now
Genre: Action Roguelike, Shooter, Roguelite
If you ever played a game called Noct that kind of failed in early access or Duskers – which was really good, if a little unknown. Then you’ll most likely immediately be interested in Empty Shell. All these games share a minimalist top-down view like you’re watching through some surveillance drone which I think looks fantastic.
Delve into an apparently abandoned facility to investigate what lurks within. Spoiler alert, it’s not lots of friendly things. Every time you die you will embody a new volunteer who has signed a contract for a ‘recovery operation’. I love games that try to do things a little differently and Empty Shell certainly looks interesting. No doubt it will be scary with lots of monsters jumping out from the dark, obscured from your view by the unique perspective.
Thaumaturge

Release Date: Coming Soon
Demo: Confirmed
Genre: RPG, Isometric, Story Rich, Dark Fantasy
The Thaumaturge is a story-driven RPG where your morals will be tested with ambiguous choices, taking place in the culturally diverse world of early 20th-century Warsaw.
With turn-based combat, character development features, and investigation mechanics you will explore a version of Warsaw in 1905 under the grip of imperial Russian Tsardom. Explore a bustling and diverse metropolis, where the gift of thaumaturgy is bestowed upon you – allowing you to see and tame the mystical, demon-like creatures called Salutors. Utilize them to discover the secrets hidden within the human soul and speak to the darkness.
The Thaumaturge looks very interesting. Set in a beautiful-looking world I can’t wait to see what weirdness awaits in this RPG from 11 bit studios.
Pioneers of Pagonia

Release Date: 13th December 2023
Demo: Confirmed – Out Now
Genre: City-Builder, Co-op, Colony-sim
Pioneers of Pagonia is all about exploration, discovery, and the fantastical islands of Pagonia. In a world of countless islands with scattered tribes, you will travel and lead as a visionary to forge new alliances. Build flourishing economies with over 40 buildings and 70 types of goods. Explore the world to discover new life, lands, and opportunities.
It looks lovely and like it will be a really nice chilled game where you can take your time either by yourself or with friends. I’m sure fans of games like The Settlers will love this one!
Hundreds of games to play
There will no doubt be so many more amazing games to check out. But these are just a few that are at the top of my list and wanted to shout about them. If you find any gems be sure to share them!
-Will