Steam Next Fest is one of my favorite occurrences throughout any given year since I get to play games all day long trying to find cool stuff.
In 2025, Steam Next Fest introduced me to titles like Ball x Pit and Absolum, and those quickly became two of my favorite releases later that year when I played and reviewed them. So especially now, when Next Fest rolls around, I try to play as much as I can to see what exciting sleeper titles the year may have in store for PC gaming.
Below, I’ve listed a few of the titles that caught my eye and I will be looking forward to playing more of ASAP, whether they launch this year or beyond.
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Best Steam Next Fest demos – February 2026
Vampire Crawlers
Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors is a mouthful of a full title, but boy, it’s also one of the most promising games I’ve played so far this year. Part dungeon crawler, part Vampire Survivors, part card battler, this game is all addictive fun. I’ve already put several hours into the demo, and I can’t wait to fully explore the full release.
Piece by Piece
This ultra-satisfying and cozy puzzler puts you in control of puzzle pieces and a little character within them. Put the pieces together properly, move around inside, and make your way to the goal.
REPLACED
This demo took me a while to get to, but I’m glad I finally played it, because I understand the hype. I haven’t played anything quite like REPLACED before: a 2D platformer with an absolutely gorgeous pixel aesthetic, and some Batman Arkham-like combat and Resident Evil-style files to help flesh out the lore.
Alabaster Dawn
A 2.5D ARPG has never looked or felt better. This game combines Hades-like combat gameplay with the world-building, dialogue, puzzles, and cutscenes of a classic RPG to create something that immediately felt like a “yes” within just minutes of playing it.
Last Man Sitting
What happens if you combine Megabonk gameplay in a 2000s setting where work appliances are coming to life in hordes for you to mow down while rolling around in a wheely chair? This. And it’s got co-op and PvP, to boot.
Spark Ignites
Another pixel-style visual feast, Spark Ignites evokes memories of the Octopath Traveler series with its gorgeous design. But what I love most about the demo is the dynamic camera during turn-based combat, weaving in and out of the scene to create a really pretty effect.
Armatus
Armatus is a roguelike third-person shooter, reminiscent of games like Hades and Returnal, and it’s set in the “demon-infested ruins of Paris.” Run, shoot, melee, upgrade, rinse and repeat to your heart’s content.
LUCID
Platforming fans, get ready to wishlist this one. LUCID is a stunning Metroidvania (the devs call it a Celestoidvania) with precision platforming, exploration, and an absolute banger of a soundtrack.
What are some of your favorite demos from Feb. 2026’s Steam Next Fest? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll try to check them all out.
