Steam Next Fest: The Hottest Demos That Everyone’s Playing

Valve has just dropped the list of the top ten most played demos from the recent Steam Next Fest, and honestly, it’s not too shocking given the gaming landscape. Among the massive lineup of over 4,000 demos, Bandai Namco’s upcoming Sword Art Online RPG, Echoes of Aincrad, is making waves, as expected. Plus, there’s a new off-roading simulation from the folks behind Art of Rally that’s grabbing attention, too.

But that’s not all! We’ve got a mix of genres represented here, from a Soulslike extraction RPG to an adrenaline-pumping 6v6 shooter reminiscent of Titanfall, courtesy of the Splitgate team. And let’s not forget a quirky multiplayer game featuring monkeys defusing bombs. Here’s the full rundown of the most popular demos, listed without any particular order:

• Echoes of Aincrad – Dive into this anime-themed third-person action RPG set in the Sword Art Online universe.
• Mistfall Hunter – An extraction RPG that replaces traditional shooting mechanics with Soulslike combat.
• Over the Hill – Enjoy a laid-back yet challenging off-road adventure crafted by the developers of Art of Rally.
• IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator – Experience the thrill of managing heavy turrets in this simulator.
• EMPULSE – A fast-paced 6v6 shooter that blends elements of Mirror’s Edge with the Titanfall vibe.
• Dust Front RTS – A retro-styled real-time strategy game for those nostalgic for the ’90s PC gaming era.
• The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu – Team up in this four-player co-op game set in a perilous sci-fi jungle while hunting for treasures.
• Embers of the Uncrowned – Nexon’s upcoming dark fantasy MMORPG that’s generating a lot of buzz.
• BOMBANANA! – A whimsical multiplayer experience where monkeys race against time to defuse bombs.
• Casualties: Unknown – A survival platformer that invites players to explore a treacherous underground world.

There’s definitely a lot to be excited about here, especially with games like Casualties: Unknown and Over the Hill catching my eye. However, it’s worth noting that some anticipated titles like Mortal Shell 2 were noticeably absent from the list, and I was surprised that Valor Mortis—the new first-person Soulslike from the creators of Ghostrunner—didn’t make the cut either.

Interestingly, half of the games in the top ten feature multiplayer elements, and only Embers of the Uncrowned has an AI disclosure. This MMO from Nexon, which seems to have a hefty budget, indicates that AI tools may assist in various aspects like creating visuals, marketing, live chat translations, and even in-game dialogue. Their disclosure states: “Regardless of the workflow, the final product reflects our team’s creativity and artistic vision.”

With 551 games tagged with AI content disclosed among the 4,397 demos at Next Fest, it’s clear that this tech is becoming increasingly common. Just last week alone, over 300 games hit Steam, with 120 of them featuring AI integrations. While the floodgates have opened, it doesn’t mean we’ve lost our way; a new big-budget MMO will always attract attention, regardless of its development tools.

As I scrolled through Next Fest, I found myself instinctively checking for the AI disclosure before diving into descriptions or trailers. This new habit, while practical, could use a better user experience, especially given the mixed feelings towards AI in gaming. It might just be time for Steam to roll out a filter for these tags!