Steam Next Fest - June 2023 - Demos Round-Up

All views are that of the author and are not influenced by any copies of games provided by publishers for review purposes.

Steam Next Fest is a great time to discover new indie games, watch developer livestreams, and play a dozen or so demos! Here at SpoilerTV, we've rounded up some of our favorite demos from Steam Next Fest - June 2023 Edition.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical

Stray Gods has it all: Gods, romance, a gripping story, stunning hand-illustrated art and...musical numbers! You play Grace, a college dropout dreamer with the power of a Muse who must use her new powers to unravel the murder mystery of the last Muse before she is killed by the Chorus, a group of mythological creatures. The demo introduces you to the world where players make decisions that change the course of the game in this narrative-driven, Greek Gods-inspired game. It's worth noting that the voice cast is incredible; from Laura Bailey who voices Grace to Troy Baker, Rahul Kohli, Ashley Johnson and more, Stray Gods will grip you with its stunning intro all the way to the end.

Wishlist on Steam

Lies of P

Lies of P is an upcoming Souls-like action game set in a dark Belle Époque era of the late nineteenth century that wastes no time introducing you to the world. Developed and published by NEOWIZ, you play a puppet awakened by a mysterious voice that guides you through the dark, gory and bloody city of Krat. There is frequent violence in the demo, as expected, but the combat style is unique and the music is bone-chilling in all the best ways. A definite must-have for Souls fans.

Wishlist on Steam

En Garde!

If you've been looking for a fencing videogame where you get to battle guards with some action-heavy swordplay, then En Garde! is most certainly the game for you. Developed and published by Fireplace Games, this Steam Next Fest demo had one of the most creative and amusing combat of the dozen or so demos we've tried. The swashbuckler action game introduces you to the main protagnist, Adalia de Volador, who is battling her way through visually stunning locales as she unlocks special fencing abilities, parries her way out of enemy attacks, and swings off of ropes in a game that challenges you to use your wits, skills and environment to uncover secrets and complete challenges.

Wishlist on Steam

Viewfinder

If you're a fan of mind-bending, trippy puzzle games like Superliminal, then Viewfinder will grab you almost instantly. The first-person adventure game brings pictures to life--literally--as you navigate through stunningly artistic environments and solve puzzles. With very minimal controls, Viewfinder cements itself as an instant-wishlist game that might seem gimmicky at first, but if you play the demo till the end you get the sense that Sad Owl Studios are offering hours of fun and interesting experiences as you unravel the game's mysteries.

Wishlist on Steam

Wizard With A Gun

Wizard With A Gun is a fun action-adventure game where you embark on a journey full of crafting, collecting items, and shooting down enemies. The controls can be a little complex and took us a little while to get comfortable with, but the art style and multitude of customization options turn this into a must-have game. Developed by Galvanic Games and published by Devolver Digital, Wizard With A Gun has solo as well as online cooperative play which can make resource-collecting, combat and tower building even more exciting.

Wishlist on Steam

Little Kitty, Big City

With the success of Stray, one of my favorite games last year, it's no surprise to see more games with a wholesome furry creature as the protagonist. Little Kitty, Big City is more focused on being cute and adorable with its mechanics, including taking a nap, tossing things off edges, scratching and of course meowing, but the demo was a solid introduction to a game that promises an open-world playground for you to mess around with! As you make your way through a colorful city and make friends with other animals, complete objectives and customize your kitty however you see fit.

Wishlist on Steam

Venba

Don't let the short demo fool you; Venba is about as cute and beautiful as games can get. Developed and published by Visai Games, this stylized narrative game brings cooking and puzzle solving together in a story where you play as an Indian mom who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 80s. There is a deep, heartfelt story in Venba that is highlighted with beautiful voice acting and a unique original soundtrack that makes this game an instant must-have. Try not to get hungry while playing this one; we dare you.

Wishlist on Steam

Paleo Pines

Out of all the games on the list, Paleo Pines was my most anticipated as it'd been on my radar for a while and I have a soft spot for farming sims. I'm happy to report that the demo does not disappoint; it has a unique spin on a genre that's been blowing up for a while as you embark on a charming island with a dino pal! There's a lot to discover and explore in the world, creatures to befriend, and of course things to build and farm. Paleo Pines will charm you with its stunning look and feel; I have a feeling this is a game I'll be coming back to over and over again.

Wishlist on Steam

Evolings

If you're looking for a charming, minimalistic turn-based roguelike, then Evolings is your game. Its mechanics are simple, but the pixel art animations, plethora of creatures and unique items make the demo a delightful addition to your Steam library. Developed by Sørb and published by Super Rare Originals, the game promises that not two adventures are alike as you make your way through maps and use your strategic skills to battle enemies.

Wishlist on Steam

Other demos we tried and loved from Steam Next Fest - June 2023: House Flipper 2, Mika and the Witch's Mountain, Sea of Stars, The Invincible, Station to Station, and Moving Out 2. Let us know in the comments what games you've tried and what you're looking forward to!