5 Demos From Steam Next Fest We Enjoyed
The recurring event offered hundreds of demos. Here are a few of our favorites.
Steam Next Fest took place last week, providing players a variety of indie game demos to sample. We played a small percentage of those offered (seriously, there are hundreds), but found five that we enjoyed and stuck with us. Most of these demos are still available on Steam, so check them out if you are interested.
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando
A multiplayer game that conjures images of Left 4 Dead, with hordes of undead monsters attacking you and your crew. Unlike Left 4 Dead, Toxic Commando actually has a story. Is it a good one? Who knows from this small snippet, but it does offer great shooting and is a fun concept. Solo play provides you with bots as teammates, but it would be a blast with friends. Worth a try if you enjoy an action-packed multiplayer shooter. John Carpenter's Toxic Commando is available March 12.
Darkhaven
This game was made by many of the original creators of Diablo and Diablo II, and it shows. It feels a lot like those early games, but with the ability to jump! Explore procedurally generated worlds by yourself or with friends. This quest for better weapons was a fun little romp that I might keep an eye on, as there is no release date as of yet.
Pragmata
One of the most anticipated games of 2026 showed up at Next Fest. You play as Hugh with his android companion Diana, who just happens to look like a little girl. A shooter where Diana can hack the various robot soldiers intent on killing you, making them easier to terminate. One area in this one that stood out in this demo is the superb voice acting. A unique and fun science fiction title I had no interest in before playing this demo, but now might give a whirl when it arrives April 16.
Froggy Hates Snow
A survival game where you play as a frog in a snow-filled land. Run around and collect gold and jewels. Bring them back to your nice little heated bubble to warm up before you freeze to death. Gems and gold are used to purchase upgrades that allow you to carry more, move quicker or stay warm longer. The game offers both a casual and survival mode. While survival roguelites usually aren’t my thing, the casual mode is quite relaxing and fun. No release date on this one yet.
Wax Heads
A game about working in a record store and finding the right music for customers. The gameplay in this detective game is unique, fun and delightful, encouraging players to learn more about the various fictional bands. The soundtrack is incredible, featuring songs created just for the game in a variety of genres. The demo also teases an intriguing story about a rock star who left their band to start the store. Wax Heads arrives May 5.
Which demos from Steam's Next Fest intrigued you the most? Let us know in the comments.
