Steam Next Fest October 2024 Games You Shouldn't Sleep On

Steam Next Fests are among the biggest events on Valve's platform, offering hundreds of video game demos to try throughout the week. While the availability of each demo, whether permanent or temporary, varies by developer, players can take advantage of Steam Next Fest to sample games for a few days to see if a title suits their tastes. The most attractive aspect is that participation in playtests and demos is completely free.

As a spotlight for upcoming indie projects, players should check out the Custom Discovery Queue for referrals between now and October 21st at 10:00am PST. The lists are refreshed daily with new suggestions that are perfect for those hoping to fill their wishlists, and there are quite a few demos from Steam Next Fest October 2024 that players should definitely not miss.

Essential games to try from October's Steam Next Fest

Delta Force

Delta Forcealso called Delta Force: Hawk Ops, is the newest entry in Delta Force the franchise. Surprisingly, this free-to-play tactical first-person shooter was first released in 1998 and now returns with over 25 years of experience behind it. The upcoming game will have three distinct modes: large-scale PvP warfare, extraction shooting action, and the Black Hawk Down campaign. For older nostalgic fans of classic mechanics Call of duty or The battlefield titles, this is a must try.

Is this game trying to kill me?

For horror game enthusiasts and fans of 2021 Decryption, Is this game trying to kill me? is a unique experience that offers a game within a game. With 1980s-style graphics, players begin the demo by being asked to sit down at a computer after finding themselves in an abandoned cabin deep in a dense forest. The events of the game are woven into the player's “real life” experience in the shack, cleverly combining a first-person perspective, escape room mechanics and retro dungeon crawler elements.

Boba's call

Although there are many store simulation games worth noting in October's Steam Next Fest, such as Trash Goblin and Fast food simulator, Boba's call stands out for its cozy pixel-style graphics and charming penguin protagonist named Boba. For fans of games like Stardew Valley, ooblets, and Minami Laneassisting Boba in making tea during the day and fighting dreamy enemies at night offers a delightful combination of casual gameplay and combat elements. Additionally, with a focus on boba tea and order fulfillment, Boba's call seems like a match made in heaven for fans of cute store management titles.

Strinova

Strinova looks to fill the niche for anime fans who also enjoy hero shooters. With game features reminiscent of Valorant or Counter-Strikeer, this tactical third-person shooter sets itself apart by allowing players to switch between three-dimensional and two-dimensional forms, similar to the style of Paper Mario. While some controversy surrounds StrinovaIts map design to potentially be too similar to other games, it's clear that the upcoming title will challenge players' aim and introduce exciting movement mechanics that add a fresh and competitive twist to the genre.

Galactic Escape

Galactic Escape is an adorable life simulation with visuals as charming as the name suggests. Set on an unexploited planet that feels like Animal Crossing in outer space, there is a lot to do, from taming creatures to growing plants. Customizing one's appearance is also a fun feature, as clothing and accessories do not need to be purchased, but are readily available in a player's inventory. In particular, the game really stands out with its cooperative mode, where party games bring to mind the fun and mayhem Mario Party mini-games.

Sulfur

Since its announcement, this roguelike dungeon shooter has been making waves in the gaming community. Sulfur it won praise for its demo, particularly its replayability. Which really sets it Sulfur apart, however, is its smooth fusion of FPS mechanics with RPG elements, providing a unique experience as players simultaneously explore what seems like endless weapon modifications. As they aim to make critical decisions, overcome enemies, and uncover hidden treasures, the only potential downside is the absence of multiplayer, which remains a stretch goal on the development roadmap.

Honorable mentions include, but are not limited to:
Cursed Broom, Luma Island, Mini Royale,
and
The Jackbox Survey Scramble.