More Standout Steam Next Fest Demos You Can Play Right Now
Posted: Fri May 23, 2025 4:04 pm
More Standout Steam Next Fest Demos You Can Play Right Now
From fast-paced retro chaos to heartfelt stories, surreal horror, and unexpected heroics—this second wave of demos from indie.io brings a little bit of everything. Whether you’re dodging bullets in a side-scrolling arcade blast-fest, embarking on a pawesome journey as a very good dog, or uncovering the secrets of Limbo, each of these titles brings something bold, strange, or beautiful to the table.
Steam Next Fest officially kicks off June 9, but you can get a head start now. Dive into these demos early, share your first impressions, and help surface the hidden gems worth shouting about before the rush begins.
Blast Rush LS [Arcade, Bullet Hell, Action, Score Attack]
Blast Rush LS is all killer, no filler: a fast, flashy score attack shooter where chain explosions and split-second bomb drops are the name of the game. It’s the kind of pure arcade energy you'd expect from Ray Barnholt—former 1UP.com and Retronauts regular, now flying solo as Bipedal Dog. With tight controls, neon-drenched arenas, and a ton of style, this retro-inspired bullet hell asks the only question that matters: What if bomb, but way too much?
Color Breakers 2 [Co-op, Party Game, Puzzle, Casual, Online Multiplayer]
The paint is back—and it's messier than ever. ColorBreakers 2 brings back the frantic, paint-splattering chaos of the original in a brand-new, story-driven co-op adventure. Join a crew of colorful misfits as you restore a world drained of color, tackling timed challenges and fast-paced coordination missions—solo or online with friends.
With new characters, customizable outfits, and an ever-growing world map packed with levels, this is co-op mayhem at its most vibrant. Communicate, cooperate, or completely lose control. Either way, someone’s getting paint on the ceiling.
I Mother [Adventure, Survival, Exploration, Atmospheric]
In I Mother, there are no words—only symbols drawn from real prehistoric markings left behind by early humans tens of thousands of years ago. As a lone Neanderthal woman, you’ll forage, craft, and survive in a harsh, ancient world where every interaction must be interpreted through observation and action. With no dialogue or traditional UI, survival depends on your ability to decode a lost form of communication—built on instinct, experimentation, and meaning drawn from context. What begins as a fight to endure becomes something deeper: an exploration of how early humans connected, communicated, and passed on meaning. Are you ready to observe, interpret, and survive?
FIST-steam-main-capsule
The year is 1865. The Civil War has ended, but the American frontier remains lawless. In A Fistful of Yankees, you command a squad of Union soldiers tasked with bringing order to the Wild West. Engage in tactical real-time strategy battles against bandits and robber barons, utilizing cover, chokepoints, and special abilities to outmaneuver your foes. Manage your resources and prestige carefully; supplies are scarce, and decisions are critical. Navigate through treacherous badlands and uncover a devious plot in a story-driven campaign inspired by spaghetti western classics. With a blend of tactical combat and resource management, your leadership will determine the fate of the frontier.
Second Chances [Turn-Based Tactics, RPG, Exploration, Puzzles]
After a fatal accident, acclaimed fantasy author Paul Kimbel awakens in Limbo—a nightmarish realm where reality and fiction intertwine. To escape, he must journey through The Void, a twisted reflection of his novels, filled with familiar faces, forgotten regrets, and deadly encounters. Second Chances is a story-driven, turn-based RPG that challenges players to think strategically. Every battle demands a unique approach—there’s no grinding, only tactical decision-making and party-building mastery. Explore a beautifully eerie world, solve intricate puzzles tied to the world’s lore, and uncover the truth behind Paul’s shattered past. Will you help Paul find redemption, or will he be lost in The Void forever?
Wield your sword. Unleash your magic. Save Barkhaven.
In Donna: The Canine Quest, you’ll journey across enchanted forests, scorched ruins, and even the gates of hell itself as Donna, a brave Rottweiler warrior destined to protect her homeland from the corrupted villain Rocco the Hellbringer. Battle demonic creatures, master magical abilities, and sniff out loot in this tail-wagging action-adventure full of pixel-perfect charm. With fast-paced combat, adorable visuals, and an epic story rooted in canine legend, Donna: The Canine Quest delivers a heroic fantasy quest like no other. The fate of the world rests in Donna's paws.
trio cyber752
Warning · Night Shift · Dark Mine [Horror, Psychological, Atmospheric]
A Trio of Dread from Cyber-752
Solo developer Cyber-752 brings a trio of bite-sized horror games to Next Fest designed for late-night play and lasting unease. In Warning, you’re stationed alone at a remote outpost, watching for threats you’ll only notice if you pay close attention—blink, and you might miss everything. It's a psychological horror where what you see, and don’t see, can be your undoing.
Night Shift welcomes you to the graveyard shift at a 24/7 haunted pizza parlor, where you’ll sweep floors, hand out pies, and pretend you didn’t see whatever just skittered past the soda machine.
And in Dark Mine, you descend into an abandoned facility deep underground armed with only a flashlight, a map, and the sense that you’re not alone. Minimalist, surreal, and deeply unsettling, these short-form horror stories are perfect for players who like their scares sharp, strange, and soaked in analog static.
ABOUT INDIE.IO
indie.io is home to over 100 of the world’s best independent video games and developers. Our platform was built to provide independent developers with the resources, services, and management tools needed for success. Through collaboration and passion, we strive to cultivate a diverse and vibrant gaming landscape that resonates with players and creators alike!
From fast-paced retro chaos to heartfelt stories, surreal horror, and unexpected heroics—this second wave of demos from indie.io brings a little bit of everything. Whether you’re dodging bullets in a side-scrolling arcade blast-fest, embarking on a pawesome journey as a very good dog, or uncovering the secrets of Limbo, each of these titles brings something bold, strange, or beautiful to the table.
Steam Next Fest officially kicks off June 9, but you can get a head start now. Dive into these demos early, share your first impressions, and help surface the hidden gems worth shouting about before the rush begins.
Blast Rush LS [Arcade, Bullet Hell, Action, Score Attack]
Blast Rush LS is all killer, no filler: a fast, flashy score attack shooter where chain explosions and split-second bomb drops are the name of the game. It’s the kind of pure arcade energy you'd expect from Ray Barnholt—former 1UP.com and Retronauts regular, now flying solo as Bipedal Dog. With tight controls, neon-drenched arenas, and a ton of style, this retro-inspired bullet hell asks the only question that matters: What if bomb, but way too much?
Color Breakers 2 [Co-op, Party Game, Puzzle, Casual, Online Multiplayer]
The paint is back—and it's messier than ever. ColorBreakers 2 brings back the frantic, paint-splattering chaos of the original in a brand-new, story-driven co-op adventure. Join a crew of colorful misfits as you restore a world drained of color, tackling timed challenges and fast-paced coordination missions—solo or online with friends.
With new characters, customizable outfits, and an ever-growing world map packed with levels, this is co-op mayhem at its most vibrant. Communicate, cooperate, or completely lose control. Either way, someone’s getting paint on the ceiling.
I Mother [Adventure, Survival, Exploration, Atmospheric]
In I Mother, there are no words—only symbols drawn from real prehistoric markings left behind by early humans tens of thousands of years ago. As a lone Neanderthal woman, you’ll forage, craft, and survive in a harsh, ancient world where every interaction must be interpreted through observation and action. With no dialogue or traditional UI, survival depends on your ability to decode a lost form of communication—built on instinct, experimentation, and meaning drawn from context. What begins as a fight to endure becomes something deeper: an exploration of how early humans connected, communicated, and passed on meaning. Are you ready to observe, interpret, and survive?
FIST-steam-main-capsule
The year is 1865. The Civil War has ended, but the American frontier remains lawless. In A Fistful of Yankees, you command a squad of Union soldiers tasked with bringing order to the Wild West. Engage in tactical real-time strategy battles against bandits and robber barons, utilizing cover, chokepoints, and special abilities to outmaneuver your foes. Manage your resources and prestige carefully; supplies are scarce, and decisions are critical. Navigate through treacherous badlands and uncover a devious plot in a story-driven campaign inspired by spaghetti western classics. With a blend of tactical combat and resource management, your leadership will determine the fate of the frontier.
Second Chances [Turn-Based Tactics, RPG, Exploration, Puzzles]
After a fatal accident, acclaimed fantasy author Paul Kimbel awakens in Limbo—a nightmarish realm where reality and fiction intertwine. To escape, he must journey through The Void, a twisted reflection of his novels, filled with familiar faces, forgotten regrets, and deadly encounters. Second Chances is a story-driven, turn-based RPG that challenges players to think strategically. Every battle demands a unique approach—there’s no grinding, only tactical decision-making and party-building mastery. Explore a beautifully eerie world, solve intricate puzzles tied to the world’s lore, and uncover the truth behind Paul’s shattered past. Will you help Paul find redemption, or will he be lost in The Void forever?
Wield your sword. Unleash your magic. Save Barkhaven.
In Donna: The Canine Quest, you’ll journey across enchanted forests, scorched ruins, and even the gates of hell itself as Donna, a brave Rottweiler warrior destined to protect her homeland from the corrupted villain Rocco the Hellbringer. Battle demonic creatures, master magical abilities, and sniff out loot in this tail-wagging action-adventure full of pixel-perfect charm. With fast-paced combat, adorable visuals, and an epic story rooted in canine legend, Donna: The Canine Quest delivers a heroic fantasy quest like no other. The fate of the world rests in Donna's paws.
trio cyber752
Warning · Night Shift · Dark Mine [Horror, Psychological, Atmospheric]
A Trio of Dread from Cyber-752
Solo developer Cyber-752 brings a trio of bite-sized horror games to Next Fest designed for late-night play and lasting unease. In Warning, you’re stationed alone at a remote outpost, watching for threats you’ll only notice if you pay close attention—blink, and you might miss everything. It's a psychological horror where what you see, and don’t see, can be your undoing.
Night Shift welcomes you to the graveyard shift at a 24/7 haunted pizza parlor, where you’ll sweep floors, hand out pies, and pretend you didn’t see whatever just skittered past the soda machine.
And in Dark Mine, you descend into an abandoned facility deep underground armed with only a flashlight, a map, and the sense that you’re not alone. Minimalist, surreal, and deeply unsettling, these short-form horror stories are perfect for players who like their scares sharp, strange, and soaked in analog static.
ABOUT INDIE.IO
indie.io is home to over 100 of the world’s best independent video games and developers. Our platform was built to provide independent developers with the resources, services, and management tools needed for success. Through collaboration and passion, we strive to cultivate a diverse and vibrant gaming landscape that resonates with players and creators alike!