June’s Steam Next Fest is in full swing, flooding players with free demos of unreleased titles. Sampling these bite-sized previews remains one of my favorite ways to discover hidden gems—especially when so many offer 20-minute bursts of creative gameplay.
After diving into dozens of demos, these eight projects stood out as must-play experiences before the event concludes.
Mina the Hollower – Yacht Club Games – October 31, 2025 – Multiplatform
Yacht Club Games’ follow-up to Shovel Knight trades 2D platforming for a top-down adventure brimming with Zelda-inspired exploration. Mina’s demo reveals tight controls, clever dungeon layouts, and a tactile digging mechanic that opens unique paths. Between its charming retro aesthetic and a polished feel reminiscent of Game Boy Advance classics, this is my personal frontrunner for 2025’s GOTY.
Baby Steps – Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy – September 8, 2025 – PC/PS5
The spiritual successor to QWOP mixes slapstick physics with existential comedy. Controlling an adult man re-learning basic movement sounds tedious, but Baby Steps turns each flailing limb into a punchline. Beyond its absurd premise lies surprising depth—environmental interactions hint at meta-commentary about gaming’s obsession with challenge, delivered through the protagonist’s increasingly desperate inner monologue.
Bloodthief – Blargis – TBA – PC
This medieval parkour thriller channels Ghostrunner’s precision movement but swaps cybernetic augments for vampiric abilities. Bloodthief’s demo emphasizes verticality, letting players scale castles and outmaneuver knights through acrobatic combos. Its health-draining twist—where slaying enemies extends survival—creates thrilling risk/reward scenarios, while muted Gothic visuals make scarlet combat effects pop dramatically.
Henry Halfhead – Lululu Entertainment – TBA – Multiplatform
Possession meets puzzle-solving in this quirky sandbox. As a headless specter, you inhabit objects to manipulate environments—fling coffee mugs as projectiles, hijack radios to blast mixtapes, or become a rolling soda can to sneak past guards. The demo’s early challenges feel simple, but its systemic depth suggests complex chains of possession tricks will emerge in later levels.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound – The Game Kitchen – July 31, 2025 – Multiplatform
Blasphemous creators reimagine Tecmo’s iconic ninja saga as a 2.5D metroidvania. Ragebound’s demo showcases razor-sharp katana combat against mythical creatures, blending counter-based duels with exploration. Parry windows feel generous compared to the studio’s punishing Souls-like, making this an accessible entry point for newcomers craving Ninja Gaiden’s intensity without its infamous difficulty spikes.
Yasuke: A Lost Descendant – Dallience Studios – TBA – PC
Despite framerate inconsistencies in its alpha build, Yasuke impresses with PlatinumGames-esque combat. Chain aerial katana slashes into juggling combos, then transition seamlessly into wall-running traversal between encounters. While technical polish is needed, the core loop of stylish swordplay mixed with urban exploration shows immense potential for action fans.
Metal Eden – Reikon Games – Q3 2025 – PC/Consoles
This cyberpunk shooter feels like Titanfall meets Vanquish. Metal Eden’s demo revels in momentum—slide under barriers, vault over androids, then slow-mo headshot three enemies mid-air. Environmental hazards add strategic layers to firefights, while cryptic logs tease a corporate dystopia storyline. A delayed release stings, but extra dev time could perfect this kinetic FPS.
Morsels – Furcula – 2025 – PC/Xbox
My festival favorite mashes Hollow Knight’s charms with Hades-esque progression. Morsels traps you in a David Lynchian dreamscape where collecting insectoid allies alters abilities. Procedural biomes shift from fungal forests to clockwork labyrinths, each run underscored by a haunting synthwave score. Combat’s simplicity belies deep build synergy—pair a fire-breathing beetle with poison spores for devastating area melts.
Which Next Fest demos captured your attention? Share your highlights below before Valve’s showcase ends!