It is easy to assume every new indie game follows the trends of co-op extraction shooters or roguelike deck-builders, but fortunately, that is not entirely accurate. Each February, the week-long Steam Next Fest offers a vast and varied showcase of forthcoming titles, complete with downloadable demos, with only a minority adhering to those dominant genres. This event provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the sometimes overwhelming Steam store and uncover interesting gems. Here are five standout favorites from this year's showcase.
Titanium Court: A Surreal Strategy Puzzler
Already nominated for four awards at this year's Independent Games Festival, Titanium Court is gaining significant attention for its surreal humor and stylized pixel art visuals. This game blends strategy and match-three puzzle mechanics, requiring players to move tiles to protect their castle from rival armies. Water tiles block enemy soldiers, while hills slow their advance. As players match tiles, they gather resources like stone and food and acquire military units. Once the landscape is set, a battle sequence begins where troops invade nearby strongholds. This ridiculous yet incredibly clever mashup has the potential to become this year's breakout hit, reminiscent of Balatro's success.
Shutter Story: A Tense Horror Experience
For horror enthusiasts, Shutter Story by Frostwood Interactive stands out as a highlight. Players assume the role of an amateur photographer whose best friend, Eli, believes his family is haunted, with evidence hidden in photos and home videos. Using software called SpectralAware, players must analyze images by adjusting exposure and contrast and examining negatives to uncover apparitions lurking in the background. The game delivers genuine tension and unease, evoking memories of the cult Australian horror film Lake Mungo, which similarly uses family photos tainted with chilling imagery.
Don't Panic! It's Just Turbulence: A Co-op Flight Sim Puzzler
Fans of the multiplayer bomb disposal game Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes will appreciate Don't Panic! It's Just Turbulence, a cooperative flight simulator puzzler. In this game, a pilot and an air traffic controller must collaborate to safely land a plane, but all controls and cockpit displays require decryption before functioning. Neither player has a complete set of answers, and numerous alarms add to the chaos. Featuring various aircraft with unique features and challenges, the experience is both hysterically funny and panic-inducing as players argue their way to safety or crash into a mountainside.
Outbound: A Relaxing Camper Van Adventure
For more chilled vehicular fun, Outbound offers a camper van survival adventure set in a breezy post-human utopia. Players drive through rolling rural landscapes, gathering resources, crafting tools, and preparing meals while enjoying wildlife and completing side quests. Unlike typical survival games, there is no peril, only a gentle sense of exploration and discovery as players maintain and upgrade their electric vehicle and stumble upon scenic views. It is no surprise this demo became one of the most downloaded during Next Fest, providing much-needed quiet escapism.
Wanderburg: A Roguelike with Humorous Charm
Embracing the roguelike trend, Wanderburg combines elements of Nuclear Throne and Howl's Moving Castle. Players drive a wheeled castle across procedurally generated battlegrounds, blasting enemies with cannons and mortars while gradually upgrading their modular citadel with new weapons. The game's charm lies in its ability to drive over trees and sheep to gather resources, infusing a jolly Monty Python-style humor into the action. Unsurprisingly, this title was another favorite during Next Fest, captivating players with its unique blend of mechanics and wit.
