The summer indie game celebration "Games to Be" (Steam Next Fest 2026) is in full swing on Valve's platform. The event traditionally takes place in mid-June, right after the loud announcements of the Summer Game Fest. In the first few days, specific favorites have already established themselves in user charts. We have prepared a selection of the 13 most notable demos that definitely deserve a chance.
Among the promising projects, one can highlight the casual rally over the hill (conceptually reminiscent of Mudrunner), the unusual souls-like Mortal Shell II with an atmosphere of Eastern European mythology, and the role-playing action Valor Mortis about a zombie apocalypse set during the Napoleonic Wars. Also worth noting is the cooperative Lovecraftian horror The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu and the military simulator IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator, where players will manage a giant artillery battery.
In addition, the list of the best demos includes:
- Hawthorn (a sandbox farm with forest animals)
- ReStory: Chill Electronic Repairs (a retro device repair simulator)
- Deep Dish Dungeon (a roguelike with a culinary twist)
- Corsair Cove (a pirate city-building simulator)
- We Were Here Tomorrow (a cooperative quest)
- Shroom and Gloom (a card battler)
- Casualties: Unknown (an action roguelike)
- Demon Bluff (a detective game)
Be sure to try these demos before the Steam Next Fest ends! Which indie games from the festival caught your eye the most? Share your finds in the comments.
