Steam Next Fest 2022: Games I’ve Tried and Recommend
And games that probably aren’t worth your time
Steam Next Fest 2022 runs from June 13th to June 20th. During this time, you can download demos for many, many games. Hundreds of games. If you have a wishlist that has more than a few games on it, chances are there will be demos for what you want.
Below is a list of all the demos I’ve played, listed alphabetically. The vast majority of these are games that are on my wishlist, which, as of this writing, stands at almost 500 games, 97% of which are unreleased. You’ll also find my very quick thoughts on that particular demo.
Alaskan Truck Simulator
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/849100/Alaskan_Truck_Simulator/
Genre: Simulator/Survival
Thoughts: Driving is janky, and it seems like a poor man’s version of American Truck Simulator, but the survival mechanics are neat and could make for an interesting game.
Buy/Pass: Undecided, but likely a purchase
Big Ambitions
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1331550/Big_Ambitions/
Genre: Simulator/Builder
Thoughts: Interesting cross between a third-person game (with how you control and view your character) and your typical builder/manager. Definitely keeping an eye on it.
Buy/Pass: Undecided, probably a buy
Broken Pieces
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1293730/Broken_Pieces/
Genre: Horror
Thoughts: Interesting story, neat mechanics so far, and I love the Resident Evil style view at times.
Buy/Pass: Undecided, probably a buy
Cowboy Life Simulator
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1151380/Cowboy_Life_Simulator/
Genre: Simulator
Thoughts: Not sure how I feel about it. Interesting type of simulator, but I feel like the devs may be biting off more than they can chew.
Buy/Pass: Undecided
Cryospace
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1460010/Cryospace__survival_horror_in_space/
Genre: Horror
Thoughts: Silly controls (you use WASD or arrows to move a cursor on the main menu to then highlight what you want, no mouse controls), and a generic story so far seem to indicate a meh game. Off my wishlist for now, but we’ll see how it progresses.
Buy/Pass: Pass
Cult of the Lamb
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1313140/Cult_of_the_Lamb/
Genre: Manager/Simulator?
Thoughts: Neat visual style, I like the concept, not sure how it’ll play out in the long-term. But I have hopes.
Buy/Pass: Undecided
Contraband Police
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/756800/Contraband_Police/
Genre: Simulator
Thoughts: Seems like there’s a lot to do in addition to your job, has touches of Papers, Please in that you can be punished for doing a bad job.
Buy/Pass: Buy
Deathtrap Dungeon: The Golden Room
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1251960/Deathtrap_Dungeon_The_Golden_Room/
Genre: FMV/Adventure
Thoughts: Yet another FMV from Wales Interactive, it seems like your typical badly acted, choice-driven adventure, just with different actors and a different story. I think I’m burned out on the repetition of their FMV games, but we’ll see what the future brings.
Buy/Pass: Pass
Destroy All Humans! 2 — Reprobed
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1266700/Destroy_All_Humans_2__Reprobed/
Genre: Action
Thoughts: Identical to the original Xbox game, with upgrades visuals and some QoL enhancements. If you liked the game and want to revisit it, it’s fine.
Buy/Pass: Pass
ElectriX
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/652620/ElectriX_Electro_Mechanic_Simulator/
Genre: Simulator
Thoughts: Seems like your typical mechanic/repair type of game, but has what looks to be an interesting story, heavy with conspiracy.
Buy/Pass: Buy
Gloomwood
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1150760/Gloomwood/
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Thoughts: Old-school FPS throwback with a distinct horror vibe, great shooting and great music.
Buy/Pass: Buy
Gunsmith Simulator
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1101120/Gunsmith_Simulator/
Genre: Simulator
Thoughts: Views on guns aside (I have zero interest in farming yet have hundreds of hours in Farming Simulator 22), it could be neat. Weapons seem very detailed, but the presentation isn’t the greatest, and controls are kind of janky. Seems a bit boring and bland.
Buy/Pass: Undecided, probably a pass
Hellscreen
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1410090/Hellscreen/
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Thoughts: Neat mechanic with the rearview mirror and being able to shoot behind you, but it seems like your typical shooter. Great music.
Buy/Pass: Undecided
Horror Tycoon
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1506680/Horror_Tycoon/
Genre: Builder
Thoughts: Interesting take on the tower defense style of gameplay, you have to build a haunted house to scare people who come in waves, to earn money and rep to buy new items to scare even more people.
Buy/Pass: Undecided but probably a buy
Housebreaker
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1250090/Housebreaker/
Genre: Simulator
Thoughts: The demo was super buggy for me (car trunk popped open, garbage bags were stuck so I couldn’t drive, police were somehow on me the entire game but couldn’t find me, I wasn’t able to open the gate for whatever reason (maybe because of the cops)), so I don’t know how to feel. With the demo’s state, it’s a definite pass.
Buy/Pass: Pass
Interference: Dead Air
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1238450/Interference_Dead_Air/
Genre: Horror
Thoughts: My favorite demo of Next Fest, I’m looking forward to this one. Seems to have a great story and a neat cross of problem solving and management, with some potential Five Nights at Freddy’s style events.
Buy/Pass: Definite buy
Metal: Hellsinger
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1061910/Metal_Hellsinger/
Genre: Music/First-Person Shooter
Thoughts: Seems interesting, the music is fantastic and the killing is great. If it can maintain that momentum for a full game, it’s a definite buy.
Buy/Pass: Undecided, possibly a buy depending on how it progresses
Midnight Fight Express
Monuments Flipper
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1257280/Monuments_Flipper/
Genre: Simulator
Thoughts: Typical simulator of this style. The maps seem fairly large with lots to do, but not sure how original these can be anymore.
Buy/Pass: Undecided
Moon Farming
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1366840/Moon_Farming/
Genre: Simulator
Thoughts: This is a newer version of their older demo, and lots of improvements have been made. Controls well, looks to be very detailed with lots of possibilities, I’ll definitely be keeping this on my wishlist. Still has weird alpha issues like dialogue that doesn’t go away, but those are usually fixed before release.
Buy/Pass: Buy
One Military Camp
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1743830/One_Military_Camp/
Genre: City Builder
Thoughts: Definitely a new one for me, I like the idea and the gameplay so far. A unique take on the genre.
Buy/Pass: Buy
Plane Accident
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1682340/Plane_Accident/
Genre: Simulator
Thoughts: Far more detailed and in-depth than I initially gave it credit for, and has some surprising twists you wouldn’t expect from a typical simulator like this.
Buy/Pass: Buy
Potion Permit
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1337760/Potion_Permit/
Genre: Simulator/Manager
Thoughts: Keyboard controls are terrible, I can’t skip the intro, nor can I access the menu during the intro in order to quit. Terrible UI generally results in a terrible game.
Buy/Pass: Definite pass
Project Wunderwaffe
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1477700/Project_Wunderwaffe/
Genre: Builder
Thoughts: Interesting take on the Fallout Shelter style of building, looks to be in-depth with lots of options.
Buy/Pass: Undecided but probably a buy
Restaurant Renovator
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1057630/Restaurant_Renovator/
Genre: Simulator
Thoughts: Along the same vein as House Flipper, Train Station Renovation, etc., but doesn’t seem as well made. Obviously just a demo, so we’ll see how it progresses.
Buy/Pass: Undecided
Retreat to Enen
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1556490/Retreat_To_Enen/
Genre: Survival/Crafting
Thoughts: 1+ minute of an unskippable opening, followed by a bad UI and what appears to be generic survival/crafting elements.
Buy/Pass: Pass
SCP Secret Files
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1718130/SCP_Secret_Files/
Genre: Horror
Thoughts: SCP has become like zombies, overused and generic. This seems no different, just with better graphics than your average free or cheap SCP game.
Buy/Pass: Pass
Space Mechanic Simulator
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/429380/Space_Mechanic_Simulator/
Genre: Simulator
Thoughts: Neat take of your repair/mechanic game (in spaaaaaaaace). Seems different enough and controls well.
Buy/Pass: Buy
Terra Nil
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1593030/Terra_Nil/
Genre: City Builder
Thoughts: I like the concept, but seems a bit simple from the demo. Hopefully there’s more to it, in which case I’d revisit.
Buy/Pass: Undecided
The Forest Cathedral
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1271310/The_Forest_Cathedral/
Genre: Puzzle/Adventure
Thoughts: Played an early demo of this and it was very janky with questionable design choices. This demo seems to have fixed a lot of those issues. My interest has piqued again.
Buy/Pass: Undecided but probably a buy
The Fridge is Red
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1532460/The_Fridge_is_Red/
Genre: Horror
Thoughts: Very interesting, love the concept and atmosphere.
Buy/Pass: Buy
The Last Worker
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1579280/The_Last_Worker/
Genre: Adventure
Thoughts: Looks to have a good story, good humor (if your robot companion is any indication), and the gameplay itself seems fun.
Buy/Pass: Undecided, probably a buy
Westwood Shadows
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1122360/Westwood_Shadows/
Genre: Horror
Thoughts: I played a demo or prologue of this a while ago and wasn’t impressed with the mechanics or story. This demo doesn’t seem to have changed much.
Buy/Pass: Pass
Demos I Didn’t Get to Try
As an adult with a wife and a child, my gaming time isn’t the same as it was ten years ago, so time is definitely a factor. This is a list of demos I didn’t get to try, mostly due to time, but also because they might be something I want, with no need to play a demo.
Aloft
Astro Colony
Backrooms Exploration
Brewmaster: Beer Brewing Simulator
Cafe Owner Simulator
CULTIC
Garden Simulator
Handyman Corporation
Horse Shelter 2022
Organs Please
OZARK
Toilet Chronicles
WrestleQuest
Zombie Cure Lab
